Beth and I had spent our last two days at Lassen Volcanic National Park in Calfornia where we hiked its two big mountains, Lassen Peak and Brokeoff Mountain. After completing Brokeoff the day before, we drove a ways to Klamath Falls, Oregon, where we stayed in an Econolodge. Our plan today was to drive up about an hour north and spend the day exploring Crater Lake National Park. Crater Lake is a truly unique lake, formed when old Mount Mazama, a huge Cascade volcano, collapsed into itself many thousands of years ago, leaving a huge depression that eventually filled up with water. The lake's surface is about 6,500 feet elevation and is completely surrounded by the remnants of old Mount Mazama. The lake itself is the deepest fresh-water lake in the country, with a maximum depth of about 1,900 feet. The lake is generally circular with a diameter of about 8 miles at its widest. It is also the bluest lake I have ever seen. It is truly a unique, beautiful sight from any perspective.

We arrived into the park around 9 a.m. and immediately got ourselves a quickie breakfast at the Llao Lodge on the lake's south rim. This is a very popular park and there were many people, lots of traffic (not too nasty, like in Yosemite), and, not surprisingly, lots of motorcyclists touring the park. From here we followed the East Rim drive about 20 miles or so, taking us to the east side of the lake and to the foot of Mount Scott, the Park's highest point. Even in this short drive the difference in vegetation between the lake's east side versus its south and west sides was dramatic: much drier and more sparsely forested than its lusher west/south sides. Like all Cascade Peaks, the west side gets all the rains, sucks the clouds dry, and even in the space of a few miles, leaves little for the east side - a classic rain shadow effect.

Mount Scott is the only point in the park where one can see the entire lake in one view (e.g. through a camera's viewfinder). At just below 9,000 feet it is about 2,500 feet above the lake's surface. The hike to the top follows a very well constructed trail that gains about 1,300 feet in about 2.5 miles one way, and, judging by the number of cars at the trailhead, is extremely popular. In fact, we couldn't find a space to park so we drove an extra quarter-mile and parked at a small picnic area just to the north (as did a few other people, apparently). We suited up and started our hike at a bit after 10 a.m. in cool, dry weather, with high clouds hazing things over slightly.

The trail crosses a grassy meadow then enters into the forest cover, generally staying on the peak's south-facing slopes. The gradient was consistent but moderate, and we made good time. About 1.5 miles in, the trail then starts up a short section of switchbacks that in places was steep, but still, we made good time and finally achieved the ridge, from which it was a short ridge-walk to the summit. A manned lookout is atop the broad, rocky peak, and there were about a dozen people scattered about. We found the benchmarks and witnesses in a set of rocks on the tower's south side, then walked around to the north where we sat and relaxed, taking in the views and enjoying a snack. Beth even sneaked in a smoke, ensuring the lookout woman didn't see her! The one way journey had taken us just over an hour. We talked with a few people and even saw a guide-dog in training being walked around the top. After about a half-hour we started down. The trip down went fast and took just about an hour. We were back to our vehicle a bit after 1 p.m. where we rested and changed into drier clothes, and also capturing a wasp inside our car who got mad at us as a result.

We drove around to the west side of the lake to get a few photos, and then drove out, eventually making our way to Bend where we stayed at a Super-8 Hotel. Much to our amusement we arrived on the same day that Bend was hosting its big cage fighting extravaganza, and it all seemed the contenstants and their girlfriends were staying at the Super-8, too. There was also a Porsche fan club contingent staying there, plus a whole bunch of people dressed up in period wear from the 1880s; their deal we couldn't quite figure out. Needless to say it was a very interesting crowd. Fortunately, everyone behaved and we slept well.