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Oregon Crater Lake...
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Oregon Crater Lake was formed thousands of years ago. Mt. Mazama literally blew its top spewing ash and lava throughout the landscape. Geological evidence says it was a violent eruption, more than the recent Mt. St. Helens eruption.
As Mt. Mazama erupted, spewing gasses and ash throughout the entire globe, the crater that was forming caved in leaving behind a great depression with steep walls. A cinder cone grew within the collapsed crater venting gases and volcanic debris. Gradually the mountain began to stabilize its underground pressure.
As the crater cooled, over several years, water began filling it's interior. Today, Oregon Crater Lake is over 1900 feet deep, making it one of the deepest lakes in the world. The cinder cone is now known as Wizard Island and protrudes a few hundred feet out of the water.
Take the Boat to Wizard Island... When you visit Oregon Crater Lake, take the tour boat to Wizard Island, get off and explore. It's pretty neat imagining what was happening a few thousand years ago, right where you are sitting. If you are looking to camp in the area check out Crater Lake in the Top 10 Campgrounds in Oregon. The camping can get a bit tight but it's worth the time and effort. If you're a winter camper, think about doing a cross-county trip around the rim of Crater Lake. We did it. It took us a week; however, you could do it quicker. We spent a lot of time playing in the snow, building igloos, snow men, etc. Enjoy the Lake, Craig Dahl - Editor Northwest Travel Tips
