We went to Crater Lake and camped there for five days last week. While the weather in Portland reached 100, the highs were only up to the 80s at the lake. Perfect!
Day One: The Lake
On our first full day there, we went up to Rim Village to check out the view. Wow, so clear and blue! The water is almost completely pure, and it's the deepest lake in the United States. Daddy and Emma brought their binoculars! Wizard Island is the cinder cone out in the lake. You can take a boat tour there to explore it, or swim - brr!
Cheetah had his "vacation" shirt on!
Day One: The Lake
On our first full day there, we went up to Rim Village to check out the view. Wow, so clear and blue! The water is almost completely pure, and it's the deepest lake in the United States. Daddy and Emma brought their binoculars! Wizard Island is the cinder cone out in the lake. You can take a boat tour there to explore it, or swim - brr!
Cheetah had his "vacation" shirt on!
Then we went over to the Junior Ranger talk with Ranger Ross. Emma learned how Crater Lake was formed after Mount Mazama erupted, and got to dig around in the dirt exhibit of it! Just for participating, all the kids got Junior Ranger patches! I thought that was an excellent prize. Here she is posing with her patch and souvenir bear "National Park Service Ranger Bear" (that's what she named him!):
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That night we went to the camp amphitheater and listened to the Ranger Talk. It was Ranger Ross again, talking about the coyote, raven and mink. He told Native American stories, such as how Coyote brought fire to the people. Emma couldn't figure out whether these tales were true or false!
That night we went to the camp amphitheater and listened to the Ranger Talk. It was Ranger Ross again, talking about the coyote, raven and mink. He told Native American stories, such as how Coyote brought fire to the people. Emma couldn't figure out whether these tales were true or false!
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Day Two: Hike to Watchman's Peak
Thursday morning Ed and Emma went on a hike up to a lookout tower. Zoe couldn't be on the trail so we stayed at camp. It was an overcast morning which made their hike more pleasant! Emma took the view pictures here except of course the ones that she's in. She wanted to show how high up they were, and how small the cars were from up above!
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No matter where you went around camp there was a cloud of dirt that would follow you. We got so dirty! Emma's face always looked like she had a dirt beard or mustache :)
No matter where you went around camp there was a cloud of dirt that would follow you. We got so dirty! Emma's face always looked like she had a dirt beard or mustache :)
We saw lots of creatures around the camp. The bluebirds visited every morning!
On the way to the showers, Emma and I saw two mule deer!
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Eek! Look at these critters! Of course we also saw plenty of little squirrels and chipmunks, but they are too fast for a photo.
This sign greets you as you enter the campground:
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We (fortunately) never saw any black bears, but years ago they were so well accustomed to people that they would come down into camp and the lodge to be fed! Yikes. Now they have these bear boxes at each campsite. We put all our food and ice chests in here. Emma and I also wondered if this fuzz on the ground was bear fur, but Ed laughed and said it was tree moss. When we arrived on Tuesday evening and it was getting dusky - I really wondered if it was fur!!
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Day Three: Aunt Michele visit!
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We realized the lake wasn't that far away from my Aunt Michele in Southern Oregon. We got ahold of her to see if she was around for some visitors. Instead, she decided to come visit us to get out of the heat! Also to see the lake when everything wasn't covered in snow, as it was the last time she had seen it.
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The lake looked a little different and more crisp today, see the reflection of the hills and the island? So pretty!
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Some of the lookout ledges are right off of a quick, steep dropoff. Scary!!
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Aunt Michele brought Emma so "homework" to do. That kept her busy!
Aunt Michele brought Emma so "homework" to do. That kept her busy!
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It was pretty warm at camp so we ventured out mile or two to a little falls, and water hole, which was part of Annie Springs. The water was i-c-y! We only dipped our feet in it a few times but they got nice and clean!
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After that we drove about 15 miles to the tiny town of Fort Klamath. We knew there was an old museum there, so we stopped for a bit.
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Day Four: Phantom Ship and The Pinnacles
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Phantom Ship is called such because depending on what view of the lake you're looking at, you may or may not see it! It "comes and goes."
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The Pinnacles are volcanic vents that released steam and gases out the top.
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That night we went to our third Ranger Talk. This time it was campfire stories and songs!
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Day Five: Lava caves and home
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On Sunday we tried to break camp as quick as we could so we would get a good start on our long drive home. We headed a different way than we came, towards Bend. Ed wanted to take Emma to the lava caves. I stayed with Zoe again as we couldn't leave her in the hot truck. It was at least 90 something! The caves, on the other hand, are much cooler. They were 40 degrees. Jackets recommended! They brought their flashlights and walked into the caves quite a ways!
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Thumbs up! We were all quite dirty and tired when we got home, but it was a wonderful vacation for us! We all actually learned a lot about volcanoes, and Emma got a "Junior Ranger" hat (above) that she loves wearing! The park rangers are pretty cool people.
Thumbs up! We were all quite dirty and tired when we got home, but it was a wonderful vacation for us! We all actually learned a lot about volcanoes, and Emma got a "Junior Ranger" hat (above) that she loves wearing! The park rangers are pretty cool people.
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