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CRATER LAKE NATIONAL PARK |
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Rolling mountains, volcanic peaks, and evergreen forests surround this enormous, high Cascade Range lake recognized worldwide as a scenic wonder. Crater Lake was the basis of much local Native American legend, as the stories of its creation have been passed down through the centuries. The lake was formed after the collapse of an ancient volcano, Mount Mazama. The volcano erupted approximately 7,700 years ago. The basin was formed after the top 5,000 feet of the volcano collapsed and subsequent lava flows sealed the bottom, allowing the basin to fill with water from rainfall and snow melt, to create the deepest lake in the United States at 1,932 feet.
On summer days, neither words nor photographs can capture Crater Lake's remarkable blueness. The clean, clear, cold lake water contained no fish until introduced by humans in 1888. Today, rainbow trout and kokanee salmon survive in Crater Lake. Wildflowers bloom late and disappear early here; and at higher elevations for about ten months of the year, a thick blanket of snow encircles the lake.
Entrance to the park is about 55 miles North of Klamath Falls via U.S. Hwy 97 & State Hwy 62, in Southern Oregon. The South and West Entrances are open all year; the Visitor Center, North Entrance and parts of the Rim Drive are closed in Winters. Activities: Bird & Wildlife Watching, Boating, Diving, Fishing, Hiking, Photography, Bicycle Trails, Snowmobile Routes, and Cross Country Skiing.
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