Saturday, September 19th:
We got up early and made the 3.5 hour drive from Salem, OR to Crater Lake National Park.
We came in from the north entrance and continued along the West Rim Drive. My plan was to do the entire loop, but the road between the Rim Visitor Center and the Phantom Ship Overlook was closed. So, we had to improvise a bit!
Our first stop was the Watchman Overlook! These pictures do not do it justice! That water is SOOO BLUE!
[The most perfect reflection]
We drove to the Rim Visitor Center where we visited a small museum. We learned about how the lake was formed and the history of the people who were living in the area at that time.
This massive caldera was formed only 7700 years ago after the volcano, Mount Mazama, erupted and collapsed.
The lake is beautiful and the surrounding area was full of volcanoes and other volcanic features.
We left the Visitor Center and, since the road to the south was closed, we headed back the way we came. We continued along the north and down the eastern side of the lake.
[Phantom Ship]
We went on a short hike to Plaikni Falls. It didn't take us too long and the hike was mostly flat, but I could definitely feel the 6200 feet of elevation.
[This neon green moss was so bright]
After our hike we headed to the Pinnacles. These awesome vents are what are left behind after the residue from the pyroclastic flow eroded away.
So cool! Geology rocks!
What an amazing place! I am so glad we made the trek out here!
We left Crater Lake National Park and headed to the beautiful Oregon coast! After 3.5 hours we arrived in Florence, checked into the hotel, and then had dinner at the Waterfront Depot Restaurant. It was delicious!
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