Every time I browsed the National Parks Services website, I kept reading about how blue this lake is.
Well, it's true what everyone is saying: this lake is blue, blue, blue! You’ll find different shades of blue in here.
More than its blue-ness, Crater Lake inspires awe. Once you pause and think about it, you'll realize exactly what your feet is standing on: You're on top of a volcano!... Standing on the rim!... Looking inside the mouth that got filled with centuries upon centuries of rain and snow!
That is why this lake is so blue. That is why it's probably one of the cleanest water you'll find. That is why it's one of the deepest lake you'll find.
Native Americans, of course, were first to discover this lake, sitting on top of the Cascade Mountain Range. And now we have the opportunity to witness it as well.
Most of the park was closed during our visit due to snow --- in July, no less! So the drive around the crater was not available when we were there. If you have only one day, you should make sure you take this drive around the crater of this volcano. And maybe catch a sunrise or a sunset. Unfortunately, we weren't able to ourselves as the heavy snow fall the previous weeks closed most of the roads.
They have campgrounds inside the park as well, but we were highly encouraged to look for other accommodations as they seemed to have gotten themselves a major insect problem. I'm not sure if this was a regular (seasonal) thing or a once-in-a-lifetime thing but to be safe, we drove ourselves down the volcano and found alternate lodgings.
Both visitor centers had great souvenirs. I’m personally trying to fill my National Parks Passport and both Steel Visitor Center and Rim Visitor Center have great stamps.
The kids are trying to earn their Junior Ranger badges. This, by the way, is one of the greatest things the National Parks System implemented. Hiking with kids was never easier than when they’re on a scavenger hunt!
Even if the kids aren’t doing Junior Ranger Programs, the Rim Visitor Center has so many activities, your kids, or even you, won’t get bored. They had a painting activity, a card making activity, and other arts and crafts activities. Adults can participate too.
Let’s not forget that there are trails. The easiest and most accessible one we could find at the time was the Discovery Trail that runs along the rim of the volcano and has constant view of the lake. The trail leading down to the lake was closed, but not surprised considering the snow. Imagine if it was open! Can’t wait to try another time.
Other things I would like to try next time:
Boat Tour
Trolley Tour
Scenic Rim Drive if Trolley Tour is not available
Sunset at Watchman Peak
Sunrise at Discovery Point
Swimming at Cleetwood Cove via Cleetwood Cove Trail
Pup Creek Falls Hike
See Phantomship, Old Man, Pinnacles and Vidae Falls
Feel free to add to my to do list and let me know what I missed!
https://www.nps.gov/crla/index.htm
The Steel Visitor Center at Park Headquarters is open every day except December 25.
The Rim Visitor Center at Rim Village is open daily from late May to late September.
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