| The intrepid early explorers Lewis and Clark | | | | leads down to the lake and you generally find |
| were perhaps the first non-aboriginal | | | | deer feeding as you walk along this |
| explorers to discover Crater Lake and report | | | | particular trail. You can also visit the |
| their findings back to President Jefferson, | | | | volcano on Wizard Island from Cleetwood Cove |
| but they were certainly not the last and | | | | and peek inside the 90 foot wide opening to |
| today some half a million visitors enjoy the | | | | the cinder cone after climbing the 800 foot |
| wonderful scenery of the Crater Lake National | | | | trail. |
| Park every year. | | | | |
| | | | Now, if like me you enjoy fishing, then there |
| The crystal blue lake, which is ringed by | | | | is a very nice trail which leads to Fumarole |
| 2,000 foot mountains, is the thing that | | | | Bay where you will find a plentiful supply of |
| picture postcards are made of and the area | | | | both rainbow trout and kokanee salmon. And, |
| offers a wealth of hiking, biking, boating | | | | best of all, you do not need a permit and |
| and horseback riding. Indeed, Crater Lake is | | | | there is no limit on the number of fish you |
| truly one of the Unites States' most | | | | can catch! |
| outstanding national parks. | | | | |
| | | | However, for those who are really looking for |
| One thing which makes the area certainly feel | | | | a hiking challenge then there is nothing |
| special is the fact that at 1,940 feet Crater | | | | quite like the long, steep and winding hike |
| Lake is the deepest lake in the United States | | | | up the 9,000 foot Mount Scott. As with most |
| and was formed more than 7,700 years ago by | | | | arduous hikes the rewards are of course well |
| the eruption of the nearby Mount Mazama. | | | | worth the effort and, as well as a |
| | | | magnificent view of the lake, you will also |
| There are many spots along the 33 mile route | | | | be able to see Mount Shasta and Mount |
| around the lake from which you can see | | | | Jefferson clear over in California. |
| unparalleled views such as that of Phantom | | | | |
| Rock seen from Kerr Notch, or Wizard Island | | | | If you would like to visit the area during |
| seen from Sun Notch. And there are also | | | | the winter then you will certainly not be |
| numerous hikes that simply cannot be matched | | | | disappointed although you will need to take |
| anywhere else. | | | | your snow shoes with you. And, if you are |
| | | | really fit then there is always the 33 mile |
| On the east side of the lake hiking trails | | | | cross country ski route around the lake. |
| lead up to Mount Scott, while on the south | | | | |
| side Crater Peak can be quite easily reached | | | | The Crater Lake National Park is certainly |
| from Rim Drive. One of the nicest hikes of | | | | not one of the largest national parks but it |
| all, especially for novice hikers, is along | | | | is one of the most beautiful and is wonderful |
| the north side where the Cleetwood Cove trail | | | | place to plan a hiking trip. |