Deer, squirrels and birds are most common, but visitors exploring the forests and trails might encounter elk and bobcats. With many different mammals, amphibians, fish and birds, Crater Lake is home to plenty of wildlife. Make sure to enjoy these natural beauties as you hike or snowshoe through the landscape. The park has four forest zones to explore - ponderosa pine forest, lodgepole pine forest, mountain hemlocks zone and whitebark pines zone - each one named after its dominant tree species. Crater Lake National Park is home to some amazing old growth forest ecosystems. The unique tree life gives the park color. With so many wonders along the way, the 33-mile drive around Rim Road can be an all-day sightseeing trip! A scenic overlook offers an amazing view of Wizard Island. Or visitors can step back in time at Discovery Point and imagine themselves in the boots of John Hillman, the first pioneer to see Crater Lake. Over time, an orange layer of pumice eroded into the shape of a castle - a magnificently royal occurrence. For a unique spot bursting with color, stop at Pumice Castle Overlook. Stopping at Videa Falls provides a view of a cascading waterfall and is one of the best places to observe some of the park’s plant life. At Pinnacles Overlook, visitors can see volcanic ash frozen into 100-foot-tall solid rock formations. The drive around Rim Road features more than 30 scenic pullouts. The landscape of Crater Lake reveals is volcanic past. As you explore Crater Lake, take time to remember its sacred history. The destructive eruption signaled the end of the battle, but many natives mourned the loss of the sacred volcano. Makalak legend explains that the fall of the mountain was caused by a brutal battle between the spirit of the sky and the spirit of the mountain. Mount Mazama was an important symbol to the native Makalak people who lived in the surrounding areas. Mount Mazama, a 12,000-foot-tall volcano, erupted and collapsed approximately 7,700 years ago, forming Crater Lake. Crater Lake was formed by the fall of a volcano. Photo by David Grimes, National Park Service.ģ. A heavy winter snow at Crater Lake National Park. If you’d rather experience the winter season from the warm comfort of the indoors, check out the Steel Visitor Center or catch partial views of the lake from the observation room at Rim Village. While parts of the park close for winter weather, there are plenty of opportunities to have fun in the snow - from snowshoeing with a park ranger to cross-country skiing, sledding and snowmobiling. That’s equivalent to 1.4 inches of snow every day for a year! The park’s official winter season lasts from November to April, but visitors are advised that snow may linger into May and June. With an annual average of 43 feet of snow, Crater Lake is one of the snowiest places in United States. Visitors can swim at designated areas, but beware - the water is usually very cold! The water of Crater Lake is a deep, gorgeous blue. This means no sediment or mineral deposits are carried into the lake, helping it maintain its rich color and making it one of the cleanest and clearest lakes in the world. Famous for its beautiful blue color, the lake’s water comes directly from snow or rain - there are no inlets from other water sources. At 1,943 feet deep, Crater Lake is the deepest lake in America. The blue beauty of Crater Lake extends beyond its depth. To celebrate the incredible natural landscape of our nation’s 6th national park, check out 12 things you might not know about Crater Lake.ġ. With countless other activities and thousands of acres to explore, adventure is endless at Crater Lake. Crowning the Cascade Mountain Range, the park contains vibrant forests, bountiful wildlife and an awe-inspiring blue lake worthy of its nickname “lake majesty.” Its geologic history spans back thousands of years and inspires visitors today as they swim, snowshoe, ski, hike and cycle through the mountainous terrain. Established on May 22, 1902, Crater Lake National Park in Oregon is a natural wonder born out of a cataclysmic volcanic eruption.
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