We arrived at Crater Lake at dusk. What we originally thought was dense fog was actually one of the many wildfires ravaging the Pacific Northwest at the time. Smoke tendrils had crept over the rim, and settled above the water in the crater. We didn’t end up seeing down to the water until the smoke had cleared in the morning.
While there was smoke laying low in the canyon, the skies above were crystal clear. I hadn’t seen the Milky Way since I had made a trip to a dude ranch in Wyoming, and gave myself a neck cramp that night in Crater Lake from staring up at the sky for so long. My boyfriend and I wrapped ourselves in blankets and spent hours staring in awe at the sparkling sky above us. The shooting stars were uncountable, and awe-inspiring.
We only had a few hours the next morning to explore the crater. We hiked to Watchman’s Tower and admired the view of the deep blue lake. I haven’t seen a more beautiful blue in my entire life.
Sincerely,
Crater Lake National Park
Crater Lake sits in a rugged portion of the Cascade Range and is famous for its deep, jewel-blue water. An impressive 20-mile ring of cliffs encloses the basin and adds to its magnificence.
State(s): Oregon
Established: 1902
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Greetings from Crater Lake National Park
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