Crater Lake

Up early. Ray wants to get to Crater Lake for the first half of the day.

Crater Lake is 6173 ft above sea level. The lake is 6 miles across and 1943 ft at its deepest point. Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the US, the 2nd deepest in the Western Hemisphere and 7th deepest in the world.











And we found SNOW again. I love snow! The road that goes all the way around the rim of the crater is still closed on the eastern side, blocked by snow. The film told us they receive 500 inches of snow a year. They begin to clear the road in April – it takes them 4 months, clearing .25 miles per day. When they start it is piled 30 ft deep.



The view was obscured by smoke from the fires in northern California, the direction we are headed. We first thought it was just morning fog but were corrected when we got to the Visitor Center. By the time we were leaving the winds had blown some of it out. The island in the middle is called “Wizard Island” because it is shaped like a Wizard’s hat.



This was Parker’s park! He was in charge of researching it and planning our day. (Preston did the same thing for Mount St. Helens). He decided we were first going to stop at the Visitor Center and see the film, get stamps, and medallion then we’d hike the mile down to the lake shore. I think he was trying to kill his mother. My stars! We got about half way down, when Ray suggested Preston and I turn around and go back up. Ray and Parker continued on to the bottom. This trail was a 10% grade over the mile. All down! Then all UP!!! UGH! But I earned my medallion!









At 1:00 it was time to move on to another state. We drove 174 miles from Crater Lake to Crescent City, CA. Our last state! Desperately searching for a Starbucks. I’ve only had 1 Carmel Macchiato this whole trip. No luck!

We rolled into the Hiouchi RV Park – or as I refer to it the Hoo-chi-koo. A nice RV park. Quiet. Up in the mountains again just outside the Redwood National Park. We are headed there tomorrow.