Crater Lake

Crater Lake National Park is located in southern Oregon and is renowned for its stunning deep blue lake which is the deepest in the United States. It formed about 7,700 years ago when a violent eruption triggered the collapse of a tall peak, Crater Lake rests within a caldera and is fed primarily by rain and snow – making it one of the clearest and purest lakes in the world.  The lake is about 1,943 feet deep with a cinder cone rising 763 feet above the lake’s surface.  Hiking trails in this area range from easy to difficult hikes with views of the lake, old-growth forests, and volcanic features.

The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) passes near the lake and the 400 mile stretch from Mount Hood to Crater Lake is the oldest section of the Pacific Crest Trail. The idea for a trail on the west coast was first proposed in the 1920s, but it was not until 1972 that all 2,638 miles of the trail were completed and hiked for the first time. We day-hiked this area during our visit but there are plenty of opportunities for overnight backcountry hikes as well.