Outside the Crater

Crater Lake NP extends well beyond the crater itself.  Depending on the season, various outdoor activities are available.  Being there in July was a great time to do some of the trails, check out waterfalls and some Mt. Mazama volcanic formations several miles from the crater.

Into the Crater

We had planned to do several easy to moderate hikes in the Crater Lake NP, but were drawn to going inside the crater.  There is only one trail, the Cleetwood  CoveTrail,  that goes down into the crater to the lake surface – and, it is rated as a strenuous hike.  The distance is 1.1 miles each way; how strenuous could that be?  Well, it involves a 700 foot elevation change and many switchbacks along the way.  But, it’s the only way to get there!

Crater Lake National Park

We spent the first few days of July at the Diamond Lake RV Park, chosen due to its’ proximity to Crater Lake NP.  We soon discovered that almost all of our time while there was spent exploring the park.  And, we also found that Verizon service in the park was nil, and in the RV park very limited and slow connections, so now we’re working to catch up a bit.