Crater Lake

Tucson knows we are going somewhere special - he can feel the exitement

 Snow he says- I love snow!

No you can't make me leave!

Crater Lake gets an average of over 40 feet of snow

I think the visitor's center is around here somewhere

It seems like an underground tunnel

A model of Crater Lake

There is a serious amount of snow here even by blizzard of 77 Buffalo standards

We continue on to the Lake - hope we make it

and there it is - it literally takes my breath away

Tucson, unable to reach the Lake to swim does the next best thing.

The Lake is amazing.  It was formed 7,700 years ago when the volcano erupted.  The Indian lore is that the Below the Earth Spirits and Sky Spirits had a battle.

The only way around the Lake is by snowshoe.  I guess it takes 3-4 days to make the tirp

 

Mommy!  Gary fell into the well!

 There he is trying to get himself into trouble again

Crater Lake is 1,943 feet deep. That makes it the deepest lake in the United States, and the ninth deepest lake in the world!  The average temperature (below 300 feet deep) is 38°. In the summer, the surface can warm up to 55° or 60°.  The small Island is Wizard Island.  It is a volcanic cinder cone that formed into the island.

How can you not make a snow angel?

We though about renting a cottage but.  . . .

Time for a littel potty break

a long corridor

to a shorter corridor

Mission accomplished!

We did a short drive down a side road - looks like maybe dormitory housing for staff as it is probably at least 25 miles to civilization.  Notice the snow on the roof.

Interesting as it melts and slides down

Looks like there is still snow to clear.

Scratch this one of my bucket list - but I want to come back!  I want to go at night and see the stars and scuba dive in the water!