Reaching a depth of nearly 2,000 feet, this is the deepest lake in the United States. This dormant caldera is also the deepest volcanic lake on earth.
Its only source of replenishment comes from precipitation. The result is incredibly clear and blue water that is protected from the disturbance of wind by the high ridges surrounding it. Rising from the water is Wizard Island, the remnant of a small volcanic cone, now covered in trees.
At the edge of the ridge surrounding the caldera we picnicked in silence, captivated by the serene beauty here.
Later we biked a bit up the road where they park service had made progress plowing a few miles through the 6-10 feet of snow still on the ground at this elevation in early May. The entire park is picturesque and filled with unusual geological forms that tell a story about its violent, volcanic origins.
Crater Lake is a must-see in our book!
Deep snow still lines the ridge road in May. 
This bike was here. 
We loved this place! 
Selfie at the signpost. 
Ancient steam vents are preserved today as hoodoos along the Rogue River.
My Dad took us to Crater Lake several times when we lived in SoCal. He really loved it here and I’m grateful that I got to see it as often as I did!
As a fellow traveller, I really enjoy your shots of places that I’d still love to visit, one day. And as a geologist I’m always interested in scenes with a long (and sometimes violent) geological history. Our human squabbles and efforts on the face of this planet pale in comparison with geological time and scales.
Thanks, Ron. It sure is humbling to look at many of these works of nature and imagine our infinitesimal time alongside it all.