EXPLORING OREGON || CRATER LAKE

This past weekend we took a family road trip south + visited Crater Lake, a location that's been on my bucket list since the first time we lived in Oregon. We timed it just right as the one and only hiking trail that leads to the shore of the lake was scheduled to be closed for repairs the following day (today) and won't be accessible until next summer.

We didn't partake in any tours but rather took it upon ourselves to drive around the rim and make the trek down Cleetwood Cove Trail to the shoreline. The hike was classified as "strenuous" due to the steep grade (there's a 700-foot elevation change in 1.1 miles) but the Little Brumfields powered through. Wyatt was a brave soul and was the only one of us that took a swim in the chilly lake waters that have an average temp of 59°F in August. I only stood in the water for a bit. Brad stuck with Delta Mae - it was just too rocky to get her close to the water.

Here are a few quick tidbits about Crater Lake:

• At 1,943 feet, it's the deepest lake in the US; visibility is 140 feet.
• It's clarity + intense blue color are a result of it only being fed by rain and snow. No rivers or streams lead to the lake. 
• Some 7,700 years ago, a caldera formed when Mount Mazama, a volcano, erupted and later collapsed. Crater Lake rests inside the caldera.
• Wizard Island formed during a later eruption.
• Crater Lake is 4.5-6 miles wide.

Hands down, this was my favorite place to see in the State of Oregon to date. It was just So Stunning. Marvelous. Grand. #AllTheFancyWords This wonder of God was too amazing to capture in photographs, but I gave it my best shot. Here are my photos.

If you're planning a trip, you might be interested to know that they DO NOT SELL BOTTLED WATER at the Rim Cafe. You can purchase a water bottle at the gift shop but it's going to cost you a pretty penny. We'll file that one under lesson learned.