Crater Lake National Park, Oregon…

The drive from Collier State Park to the south entrance of Crater Lake National Park was a scenic drive in itself. Once we headed north on state road 62 we were surrounded by a vibrant green grassy valley dotted with cattle and horses grazing. The snow capped mountains of the Cascades towered in the background. Nesting Ospreys, trout streams and rustic barns were all present along this drive.

Then as we entered the south entrance of the park almost immediately the Ponderosa Pine, Lodgepole Pine and Fir trees doubled in size as compared to those seen prior to the entrance. Stellar’s Jays were zipping on all sides of us and as we began to see patches of snow on the ground we even spotted a Pine Fisher ambling across the road. Along the drive up to the crater’s edge it was as if we traveled back in time. As we ascended the mountain we noticed a change  from the greens of June backward into a scene more like the spring months of March, May and April.  Further up we encountered many feet of snow giving the appearance more like in February as the temperatures dropped from the 70’s to the 50’s.

However the main event awaited us at the top of the crater and as we crested we got our first glimpse of Crater Lake……… we were left speechless… We picked the perfect day as temperatures were moderate and the wind was non-existent resulting in a lake with nary a ripple reflecting all in its path like a mirror on a tabletop. To see this six mile wide crater filled with the deepest blue colored water we had ever seen, well it was breathtaking.... I will just have to let the photos tell the rest of the story…