Half a million travelers make their way to Crater Lake National Park each year for one good reason: it’s unbelievably stunning. The crystal blue lake and towering cliffs emerged from a violent volcanic history, leaving behind a caldera with two islands, 1,943 feet of pristine water, and a respite of immeasurable beauty.
More than 7,700 years ago, the Klamath people witnessed the catastrophic destruction of their revered Mt. Mazama and the creation of Crater Lake, attributing it to this colorful legend:
Two great chiefs, Llao of the Below World and Skell of the Above World, were pitted against each other in a fierce battle, throwing red rocks at each other and causing the ground to tremble wildly. Skell finally drove Llao deep into the Below World and collapsed the top of Mt. Mazama to imprison Llao forever. Skell filled the remaining pit with beautiful blue water to give the nearby people peace and tranquility in the wake of the cosmic war.
Today travelers revere Crater Lake for its beauty, recreational opportunities, wildlife, camping, lodging and dining amenities. Located in South Central Oregon, Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the U.S. and, says the National Park Service, “a magical, enchanting [place] - a remnant of fiery times, a reflector of its adjacent forested slopes, a product of Nature’s grand design.”
Did You Know:
William Gladstone Steel (pictured left) worked for 17 years to convince Congress that a national park should be created to protect Crater Lake. He finally succeeded and the park was authorized on May 22, 1902.
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Sources: Crater Lake National Park, Oregon Explorer
