7,800 years ago a massive volcanic eruption at Mount Mazama in Southern Oregon set the scene for what is now the stunningly beautiful Crater Lake National Park. 750 years after the eruption and the collapse of Mount Mazamas peak, rainfall filled the lake leaving its characteristic bright blue hue. Reportedly the seventh deepest lake in the world, with depths of up to 1,943 feet less than five percent of its floor has been explored.
A reminder of the volcanic eruption is the curious cinder cone, named Wizard Island in the centre of the lake. You can explore it on a boat tour but instead we opted for a hike to get our blood pumping.
Surrounded by mountains and amazing vistas the highest point in the park is Mount Scott, with an elevation of 8,938 feet. A gentle, yet strenuous climb to the top which offers the most amazing views of the lake and surrounding areas. It’s hard not to feel top of the world when you can see for miles without a sign of human development, bar the odd road.
A lesser known National Park, Crater Lake offers remote stunning natural beauty and a curious reminder of the volcanic activity in the area less than 10,000 years ago.
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