Travels with Jim & Geri

We first visited Crater Lake in mid June 2002 when the rim road was still closed by snow. In August 2005 we were able to drive the entire 33 mile rim drive. The elevation of the drive varies from about 6,000 to 8,000 feet.The lake was formed 7,700 years ago when Mount Mazama blew its top and ejected 150 times as much 'stuff' as Mount St. Helens did. The area was designated a national park on May 22, 1902.

The lake is 1,932 feet at its deepest. The rim averages about 1,500 feet above the lake.

Crater Lake gets 533 inches (44.4 ft) of snow in an average year, but got only 360 inches in the year ending 30 June 2005. Only rainfall and snow feed the lake. This results in water that is extremely clear. The depth and clarity of the water is responsible for the intense blue color that is so captivating. It's why some people call this the most beautiful lake in the world.

Wind patterns in the water makes it look like the water is 'piled up' in some places. The surface of the lake is about 6,173 feet above sea level.

Crater Lake National Park

Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the US and the seventh deepest in the world. Fed only by snow and rainfall it is perhaps the clearest lake in the world.

We first visited Crater Lake in mid June 2002 when the rim road was still closed by snow. In August 2005 we were able to drive the entire 33 mile rim drive. The elevation of the drive varies from about 6,000 to 8,000 feet.

The lake was formed 7,700 years ago when Mount Mazama blew its top and ejected 150 times as much 'stuff' as Mount St. Helens did. The area was designated a national park on May 22, 1902.