east-lake-to-crater-lake-oregon.html
East lake to Crater Lake Oregon
ITW 105
Sunday August 8 , 2010
East Lake camp , Newberry Volcanic Monument to Crater lake nat pk ORegon
near Lapine , OR 34* at 6am ... This is AUGUST and it's 34 !
Clear. Chili. Thin crisp air up in the mountains high plain
Drive out & saw last good view of 3 Sisters mtns.
Hwy 97 South to Lapine, Or
library for an hour to check email ect...
at the crossroads hwy 138 west about 15 miles
Hwy 62 south 9m
Forest has changed to Pondeerosa Pine / and Lodgepole Pine.
Mountains rise in chains. Mount Thiesen is unique looking peak
Slow incline up to caldera . Snowpack in places. 8 ft snowpole by road is guide for snowplows
At North overlook... moderate rise 100 yards to rim and 1st look at Crater Lake; oh god!
The 1st look is devastating. Breathtaking. Speechless. Absolutley Speechless. Captured by the Blue at 1st sight. There is Love at 1st sight.
Beyond beautiful!
Mount Mazama Volcano pushed up 7,700 years ago & erupted,... then collapsed leaving the caldera.... the Bowl of now Crater Lake. Lake surface is 6,103' elev Rim here is over 8,000' elev... some Snowpack around the Lake... some near shore/ some on rim. Lake is 5 miles across.
Lake Depth is 1943' deep. and it is BLUE !
The Bluest Blue I've ever seen. An Abyss of Blue. Paralyzing to look at. Captivating Breathtaking Blue.
Pristene view in the thin, crisp air. Sun feels good in chill of the air.
Surreal
?Did I mention it's Blue?
What a great day! One of the Best Ever! Thank you!
more pics on Crater