Crater Lake National Park - Elemental Quests

Crater Lake is a rich blue sapphire gemstone lake in a hollowed-out dormant volcano in the Pacific Northwest. Around 7,700 years ago, the volcano Mt. Mazama had the largest eruption in the past 400,000 years in the Cascades. The summit block imploded and sank into the empty magma chamber below. The volcano, once over 12,000 feet is now a mile shorter at 8,151 feet (Hillman Peak) on the West Rim. The sunken caldera is five by six miles across and has been filled by rain and snow. At 1,943 feet deep, it is the deepest lake in the US and eleventh deepest in the world. It’s also the deepest lake in the world formed by volcanic activity.

Visit the lowest point in the US, colorful hills, sand dunes, slot canyons, salt flats, mountains, and badlands.

MUST SEES

Rim Drive

Hit the road on this 33-mile loop along the Rim Drive. From 30 overlooks, you’ll have amazing panoramic views of the lake’s cobalt water. You can also cycle this route. On certain days, the Ride the Rim event closes the 23-mile East Rim section to motorized vehicles.

Cleetwood Cove Trail

The 2.2-mile roundtrip trail is the only way to the water. While the way down is easy, climbing back out has eight switchbacks and 700 feet. Take a dip in the cold cerulean water.

Boat Tour

During the summer, you can take a two-hour boat tour from Cleetwood Cove. The cruise visits the perimeter of the lake, Wizard Island, and Phantom Ship.

Wizard Island

After the caldera formed, eruptions built four cinder cone volcanoes in a few centuries. Then, rain and snow filled the caldera. Wizard Island was the only cone to rise above the waterline (755 feet over). Its volcanic crater is named the Witches Cauldron.

Phantom Ship

This jagged ghost ship rock formation climbs 170 feet above water. The tiny island survived the eruption and collapse that created Crater Lake. Hike the 0.8-mile Sun Notch Trail for the best vistas of the Phantom Ship.

Mount Mazama

The Klamath people passed on stories of the cataclysmic eruption. Their myth of the sky god, Skell, and the god of the underworld, Llao, recounts that terrible battle. As Llao threw fire on the people, Skell smashed Llao into Mazama. Torrential rain then filled the hole.

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