Crater Lake, situated in Southern Oregon at 1,943 feet in depth, is the deepest lake in North America and the third deepest in the world. The lake is surrounded by sheer cliffs that are nearly 2000 feet high at an elevation of 7,000 to 8,000 feet (2,100 to 2,400m). Native Americans witnessed it form nearly 7,700 years ago when a violent eruption triggered the collapse of 12,000 foot high Mount Mazama, which lies dormant at this time.
Crater Lake National Park is comprised of 183,224 acres of mountains, peaks, evergreen forests and the lake. The Lake has no streams flowing into or out of it and all water that enters the lake is lost by evaporation or seepage and filled by rainfall and snow. The National Park is open all year, but there is a lot of snow during the winter months with accumulation reaching 10 - 15 feet. The abundance of water sources make it a natural habitat for a variety of animals, including black bears, coyotes, bobcats, lynxes, pronghorns, foxes, hummingbirds, hawks, chipmunks, squirrels, pika, deer, elk and marmots.
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| Crater Lake with Wizard Island |
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| Garfield Peak Trail (3.4 miles & 1,069 feet ascent) |
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| Crater Lake from Garfield Peak summit |
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| Wildflowers along Garfield Peak trail |
Only by going alone in silence, without baggage, can one truly get into the heart of the wilderness.
All other travel is mere dust and hotels and baggage and chatter.
John Muir
