After getting Isabel her Junior Ranger BADGE and PATCH, we decided to take the the 100 year old Rim Drive (33-miles) around the lake. There are 7 “must-see” stops along the way. We stopped by 5 of those 7. Enjoy!
We started out heading west from Rim Village and stopped at Discovery Point.
Discovery Point is located near the area where John Hillman, a gold prospector first stumbled upon Crater Lake back in 1853. The European-American called it “Deep Blue Lake.” Not looking so blue today…
The wind was still really blowing across the caldera but the clouds seem to be breaking up.
A closer view of Wizard Island, Fumarole Bay and Skell Channel.
Our next stop along Rim Drive was Watchman Overlook. This is where we really got to see the BLUE lake water. GORGEOUS!
I overheard a gentlemen telling someone in his party that the water reminded him of the Caribbean. Wow!
Looking Northeast across the caldera.
Also while we were at the Watchman Overlook, we got to see the 37-passenger boat tour out on the water. There is only 1 boat and 20 tickets are sold over the phone or online ONLY! The remaining 17 tickets are ONLY available at automated kiosks inside the lodge or a gift shop. Only about 1% of the visitors to the park actually see it from the water!
Looking East across the caldera to Mount Scott (highest peak in the park at 8,929 ft.)
Now we closer to Wizard Island (but it doesn’t quite look like an island from here).
Looking Southeast.
The Rim Village is along the right hand side of the photo.
I had wanted to add a panoramic view, with the blue water, but I can’t get the look I want, so the lake view is 3 separate shots. Bummer.
Family photo (only 1) on this trip. This nice family asked me to take several photos of them and then they repaid me with a photo too! It was still a bit chilly out but the wind had dead down considerable.
The “moderate” Watchman Peak hike trail.
The hike is 1.6 miles and you gain 420 feet in elevation. The historic fire lookout was built in 1932 and is still used today.
By this time our “happy” little Junior Ranger isn’t so happy anymore and she’s getting bored.
We’ve got more to see, so off we go…