A Noble Journey: August 2014

Oregon has only one National Park - Crater Lake. At 1900 feet it is the deepest lake in the United States. It is 6 miles across and was created by the eruption of Mt Mazama over 7700 years ago. Crater Lake allows you to see the insides of a mountain. The volcanic blast that created the lake was 100 times as powerful as Mount St. Helen in 1980. Read here to learn more details of this beautiful place. The pictures we took look like postcards, but it is even more amazing in person.

Wizard Island is a volcano inside the lake!

Hiking down to Cleetwood Trail.
Switchbacks take you down 700 feet to the lake.

We wanted to see Crater Lake from more than the 33 mile rim drive, so we made a reservation to take the boat tour. Before the boat departed for Wizard Island we watched people taking the plunge off a 17 foot cliff. Kate came prepared to jump, but I wasn't sure she would follow through. She entered the pit toilet to change and then walked to the edge and made the leap!

Aaron took a short video with his phone and you can watch the video here. Did I mention that the water was 38 degrees? Kate actually jumped twice into the frigid waters. We were told that the lake is about 200 feet deep where Kate jumped.

Brandon and Aaron enduring the rain, cold and wind during the boat ride to Wizard Island

Close up of Wizard Island

Boat view of the inside walls of Mount Mazama.
So many colors.

We had a three hour tour of the island. There was a ranger on the boat, who didn't give a tour, but was available to answer questions if you could find him!

Lunch on Wizard Island.
The rocks you see are pumice, which is froth off the magma that has turned solid.

Stephen and Randy hiking up to top of Wizard Island

Clouds roll in

Clouds are gone - beautiful!

Carrie hiked down inside the crater on Wizard Island

Going down the trail to the lake was easy, but coming back up the 700 feet elevation gain was not. It is steep and dusty. There are a few benches if you need to rest. Make sure to take water, because there is no water other than the lake itself. I had researched this hike and knew I should physically prepare. The stair master helped me get ready for this unforgettable adventure!

I made it!

Our day at Crater Lake and Wizard Island included about 5 miles of hiking. Down to the lake, up and down Wizard Island, and then back up Cleetwood Trail to the rim. It was exhausting, but awesome!