Believe the Hype: Crater Lake is Really, Really Blue

Travel date: June 28, 2017

At Crater Lake National Park, in very late June, we encountered the most snow any of us had ever seen in one place in our lives.

We were looking forward to doing a boat tour of Crater Lake. Maybe hiking Wizard Island, the small island in the middle of the lake named for its resemblance to a wizard’s hat. But when we got there, we found that an exceptionally cold, wet winter had left roads and paths blocked by snow much later in the season than usual. The boats tours weren’t running yet, and we ended up wishing we’d thought to pack sleds for the trip instead.

So we didn’t get to do all the things we wanted to at Crater Lake, but, of course, this gives us all the more reason to go back someday. Because I wouldn’t mind seeing this again:

So what DID we do, besides gawk at the superblue lake?

Well, what we didn’t do was get there early, like one is really supposed to when visiting National Parks. We arrived mid morning, well rested, but facing crowded parking lots. We didn’t get to stop at the Steel Visitor Center where they show a film about the park, because the parking lot was completely full. But we did find space up near the Rim Visitor Center and took in our first lake views (complete with making the kids all pose for pictures, lined up youngest to oldest):

 

The kids spent awhile playing in the snow outside the gift shop/restaurant:

We headed down the recently opened for the season Sinnott Memorial Overlook, through this tunnel of snow (the “most snow we’d ever seen in one place” location referred to earlier):

…for more amazing lake views:

You can see Wizard Island in that last one. Once you can access the boat dock, you can take a boat tour around the lake for a scenic cruise, with the option to stop at the island and have some time to hike to the top.

Food options are limited in the park (and near the park; there’s just not a whole lot around). We opted for the Rim Village Cafe, which has sandwiches, soups, and salads. It was expensive and not particularly exciting. But our other options were driving all the way back down to the Annie Creek Restaurant (with pizzas, burgers, and whatnot) or partaking of the fancy dining at the Crater Lake Lodge with our crew of six boys.

Abe checked out a fun ranger program outside the visitor center. The ranger had a demonstration set up of how the volcano erupted over 7000 years ago and formed the crater that became Crater Lake. 

We asked about hikes and found that a lot of them were still inaccessible. But the first mile and a half or so of the Garfield Peak hike was open, and we set off on that one. So I, personally, found this hike utterly terrifying, with steep drop offs on both sides and rocky terrain on the narrow path. I did not make it as far as the rest of the group. It’s also a very steep climb. But there are some amazing views to be had for the brave and fit:

Gus joined me for my early return back down, and we spent some time checking out the also cool views to be found if you turn away from the lake and look the other way:

We took a quick look inside the lodge and at the exhibit about the lodge’s history before sitting down on the lovely porch to look at the lake some more and finish Abe’s Junior Ranger book.

And that was it for our too short Crater Lake visit! There’s a ton more to do, and we’ll definitely try for a return trip sometime (like in July or August) to do the boat tour and some less terrifying hiking.

There’s a campground without hookups inside the park (or accommodations in the lodge); if you don’t stay in the park, you’ll be looking at a pretty substantial drive. We stayed about 45 minutes away at Collier Memorial State Park; you can read my review here.

Next up, we say goodbye to Oregon and see MORE volcano stuff in California. And time to start really cranking out these posts, as THIS summer’s trip is sneaking up on my very rapidly!

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