Crater Lake National Park

My first visit to Crater Lake was in August of 2018. There was so much smoke in the crater from surrounding forest fires that the lake was barely visible. I was really bummed because Crater Lake was first on the list of primo places to photograph. So I returned to the park in June of 2024. The weather and photo conditions were absolutely perfect. However, most of Rim Drive was still closed. I guess you can't have your cake and eat it too. Most of the photos are still from the smoky visit, but I've added a few beautiful photos from my second visit.

Crater Lake National Park was established in 1902 and is the fifth-oldest national park in the U.S. It's the only national park in Oregon. Crater Lake, the main feature of the park, lies in a caldera formed 7,700 years ago when the volcano, Mount Mazama, erupted and then collapsed. At 1,949 feet deep, Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States, and it's famous for its clear water and deep blue color (like I saw any of that the first time around). There are two islands in the lake, Wizard Island to the west and Phantom Ship to the southeast.

Park sign

Steel Visitor Center

Visitor Center

Administrative building

Gift shop at Mazama Village

Do you see the lake?

Lake barely visible

Rim Village Cafe and Gifts

Wizard Island Aug 2018

Wizard Island June 2024

The Watchman

Dumb and dumber - life on the edge

Phantom Ship

Perfect Reflection June 2024

Crater Lake June 2024

The Pinnacles

Super-heated pumice flowed into Wheeler Creek canyon at the time of the Mount Mazama eruption. Steam and gas escaped through vents in the pumice, welding and solidfying the sides of the vents. Thousands of years of erosion eventually wore away the softer pumice, exposing the solidified vents or pinnacles that are seen today.

Trail to the Pinnacles

Pinnacles

One pinnacle

Pinnacles