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!

And, I must admit, the views along the trail were spectacular.

Why would we go down that trail?  I suppose there are many reasons – the challenge (some younger people were running down and up); some want to swim in the lake; and others are going on the tour boat ride.  I guess we qualified for reasons 1 and 3. 

Those choosing to swim get to try out water that is about 58 degrees on the surface – way too cold for me, but maybe others have that on their “bucket list”. 

At the base is a dock area for the boat, places along the trail for getting to the water, and even a set of composting toilets (a necessity after that long, winding trail). 

The day we took the boat tour, there were only 4 scheduled tours due to one of the boats being repaired, but we had reserved seats the day before and got the last two seats for the 11:30 departure.  The tour is two hours long, with a Park Ranger along to provide all kinds of information along the way.  A great deal for the $37 ticket price. 

We learned more about the creation and collapse of this volcano.  Crista, our ranger guide, pointed out lots of geologic formations, such are horizontal stacking, formed during the buildup of the mountain over time.

And other forms, resulting from erosion, that leave harder rock structures in place today.  

Devil's Backbone (hardened lava over 40 ft wide)

Pumice Castle 

In addition to the geologic remains along the rim, Crista also had loads of information related to the lake.  We could see the huge Wizard Island (named because it is shaped like a Wizard’s hat) in the lake.  It is actually a cinder cone formed from volcanic activity in the past.  Other cinder cones are also in this caldera, but hidden under water.  Separate boat tours take visitors to Wizard Island and passengers spend time exploring the island, climbing to the top if they wish.

As expected, if you were to submerge about 200’ into the lake, the water temps drop - to a balmy 38 degrees.  However, in certain places at the bottom the water is “warm” at 68 degrees due to geothermal activity.  Luckily, the Captain kept us above this underwater world.  However, the combination of the hot springs and cinder cones are elements of this, still active, volcano. 

Wow, not only did we do this boat tour, but we did it in an active volcano! 

Another formation that was within the lake was the Phantom Ship.  This rocky island is made of erosion-resistant lava, the results of volcanic eruptions 400,000 years ago – making it the oldest exposed rock in the caldera.  Phantom Ship today has small areas of vegetation.  On our trip, penstemon and other wildflowers were beginning to bloom and a hummingbird was spotted.

Along the rim, snowmelt waterfalls were flowing into the lake. This is something that is not visible from the rim.

We saw ripples from fish.  With no rivers feeding this lake, where did fish come from?  Well, in an earlier time period someone thought fishing would be a good activity and Kokanee Salmon and trout were introduced. Then the fish needed something to eat, so crayfish were introduced (see a pattern yet?).  Next the crayfish began eating the newts and their larva in the water (newts were native, not introduced).  Now traps are set around the islands to decrease the crayfish.  So it goes, man has a “good” idea to “fix the local habitat” – until, later, it proves invasive and/or harmful (I am reminded of kudzu in Georgia).

So, we saw the traps but not the marine life.  However, in the trees along the shoreline and on the islands, there are birds.  Gary got some photos of Bald Eagles, adults and juvenile.

 The two hour tour passed quickly and then we were back to the dock.

We had noticed Crista, the ranger guide, before the departure.  At first, I thought she was in a uniform for a youth group (she was really small).  After we landed I asked if she would mind having her picture taken with me  - since I wanted to NOT be the shortest in a picture for once.  Crista was a great sport and here’s the picture –

 Well, so much for my hope to be the tall one in a picture.  I am doomed!

Having carried snacks on the boat and plenty of water, we were ready to begin the walk up to the rim.  By that time (1:45pm), it was around 90 degrees.  What a hot and slow walk.  Everyone was warned the biggest mistake was to go too fast.  Gary and I listened to that advice, took breaks and finally made it to the car. 

What a great day!