Crater Lake

Fast Facts

Crater Lake in Oregon rests in the shattered remnants of Mount Mazama. The volcano erupted and the mountain collapsed about 7,700 years ago.

Discovered: June 12, 1853, by John Wesley Hilman who was looking for the Lost Cabin Mine with a party of gold seekers.

National Park: Crater Lake, the nation's sixth national park, earned its designation May 22, 1902.

The lake

Crater Lake is the nation's deepest lake. Springs, rain and snow began to accumulate on the caldera floor when the magma cooled about 5,000 years ago.

Max. depth of lake: 1,943 feet

Avg. depth: 1,148 feet

Max. width: 6 miles

Lake surface elevation: 6,173 feet above sea level

Wizard Island elevation: 6,940

Wizard Island height above water: 767 feet

The Rim

Rim drive is a 33-mile route that circles the caldera rim.

Hilman Peak (highest point on rim): 8,151

Mount Scott (highest point in park): 8,929

Union Peak: 7,709

Average precipitation: 66 inches

Average annual snowfall: 44 inches

Max. snow depth: 21 feet

Park size: 183,225 acres

Information

Call the park office at (541) 594-3000

On the Net: http://www.nps.gov/crla

Get there

Crater Lake is in the southwestern portion of Oregon. To get there take Interstate 5 to Medford and follow State Route 62 to the lake or take State Route 62 from Klamath Falls.

Our ride

Not the most direct route, loads of twisting roads, two days:

Day One: Reno to Chico take California State Route 70; Chico to Weaverville take SR99, to SR36 to Highway 3

Day two: Weaverville to Shady Cove take Highway 3 to Interstate 5 to SR 62