Sept. 2, 2014 --- Crater Lake:
Today we made another long day trip.   They really wanted to see Crater Lake, and so did I, so today was the day to go there.  It was another beautiful day---low 90's and sunny.  We jumped on the highway and went the nearly 100 miles to Crater Lake.
I love this road sign.

 About 9 months of the year this northern entrance is closed due to snow.  Winter weather starts to close the Rim Drive in October or November. 

  During the winter, the north entrance is only open to skiers and snowmobiles.

Since this is another National Park, Ken was able to use his Senior Parks Pass here, too.  So far this Utah/Oregon trip that pass has saved us about $100.   After going through the north gate,  still couldn't see the lake, but knew it wasn't far from here.

Crater Lake was formed when a massive eruption of Mount Mazama 7700 years ago caused the mountain to collapse, leaving a steaming caldera. Centuries of rain and snow filled the caldera creating Crater Lake.
 We headed straight to the Lodge to check on the boat ride.  We had done this ride before, and I would have loved to go again, but with my pulled calf muscle and torn meniscus, I was afraid to try.  But we encouraged John and Coni to do it.  They were able to get seats on the 1pm boat for the 2 hour trip around the lake.  The only legal access to the shore of Crater Lake is the Cleetwood Cove hike.  This is a strenuous and steep switchback trail with a steep 11% grade. The trail descends to a rocky shoreline at Cleetwood Cove where they caught the tour boat.  The hike down to the cove should not be attempted by anyone with heart, breathing, or walking problems----that pretty much eliminated Ken and me.

 With about 3 hours before the boat ride, we did a little sightseeing.  First from the porch of the Lodge. 

 I'd never been there when the lake was so calm, although it did get much windier in the afternoon. 

 Love being able to get the reflection of the caldera in the water.

The historic Crater Lake Lodge  was originally opened in 1915 and went through extensive renovations in 1995.  The average winter snowfall at Crater Lake is 533 inches.  As a result, the lodge structure is required to carry an extremely heavy snow load for up to eight months every year.

 We also checked out the inside of the Lodge. 

 Some original materials were salvaged for reuse during the renovation, but most of the original building had deteriorated to the point it could not be saved or reused. However, the Great Hall was carefully dismantled and rebuilt.

The renovation was completed in the fall of 1994 at a cost of $15 million.  The lodge is open from late-May to mid-October.

 Chairs overlooking the lake from the patio of the Lodge.  Would love to have stayed here, but reservations are not easy to get.

We still had about an hour before they needed to head down the trail to the boats, so we decided to have a picnic lunch.  It was the 2nd of our many great picnic lunches on the go.  

While John and Coni were on their boat ride, Ken and I drove the caldera rim.  At least to the point where it was closed for roadwork just past this viewpoint of Phantum Ship.  Then we turned around and drove back to the Lodge stopping at several viewpoints until it was time to go back and pick them up.

 A chipmuch greeting us.

 Even have a few hoodoos!

 At 1,943 feet, the lake is the deepest in the United States, and the seventh or ninth deepest in the world, depending on whether average or maximum depth is measured

  We had about 4 hours to run around and we still didn't get to all the pull offs.

It is estimated that about 720 years was required to fill the lake to its present depth of 1,943'.

 Some hydrothermal activity remains along the lake floor, suggesting that at some time in the future Mazama may erupt once again.

The Cascade mountain range from the rim road.

 Another view from the rim road of the Cascades.

 A Clark's Nutcracker, I think?

 Another Clark's Nutcracker.

 There's a really nice paved walkway from the Lodge along the rim for about .5 miles.

 Along the paved walkway.

There's even a path down to a covered view point with great unobstructed panoramic views of the lake.  

 Note the white spot in the water below.  It is one of the boats used by the Volcano Boat tours.  They are open bench seat boats that hold a fair amount of people.   John and Coni said it was very hot on board the boat today. 

Crater Lake appears very blue.  Because of the clarity and depth of the water,  almost all the light rays get absorbed except for the blue rays.

 Just a few more pictures of Crater Lake.

close up of the caldera wall.  I think this is the area called the Backbone.

 close up of the water around part of Wizard Island.

 Ken and me

 Coni and John.

 After a day at Crater Lake, we had a nice ride back to Bend where we found another brewery for dinner---Riverbend Brewery.  The brew and dinner were great again. 

 It was nice being able to go back to our villa and not have to check in and unpack again.  Even were able to get some laundry washed.