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27. CRATER LAKE NATIONAL PARK, OREGON
"A LEGENDARY LAKE"

Mistic Blue Crater Lake

Sunrise at Wizard Island
US Route 1 north from San Francisco follows a scenic coastline particularly until it merges with Route 101. The California route gives travelers a good view of the coastline that was created by the powerful waves of the Pacific Ocean. It also gives beautiful views of giant sequoias or redwood trees. After five hours of driving, travelers reach the Redwood National Park at the end of a steep winding road. Then the road follows a more gentle slope along the Oregon coast.
The Crater Lake National Park is reached by driving east on US Route 5 to Medford in Oregon. The park is located on the side of a mountain about 75 miles northeast of Medford. The mountain is part of a volcanic range that is largely dormant. Nearby are Mount Rainier, Mount Shasta,and Mount Hood; in the recent past Mount St. Helena erupted dramatically. More than 7,700 years ago Mount Masama was one of the volcanic mountains that erupted and created the crater that became the site for a new lake.

On the top of Mount Masama visitors marvel at the breathtaking view of the intensely-blue-colored crater lake. They become speechless, forgot the passage of time, and stood overwhelmed by the sight. No one has any fear of falling into the lake. Crater Lake is said to be more uniquely blue than any other lake in the world. Its waters reflect the colors of the sun's rays to the lake's bottom from where they return the uniquely blue color.
The lake is the deepest one in the United States. At its deepest point the bottom of the lake lies 1,932 feet below the waterｻfs surface. Both rain and melted water from the snow-covered mountains drain into the lake. The lake rarely freezes in wintertime; it was frozen most recently in 1949 and 1985.

Crater Lake NP

However I became more interested in the legends about the creation of the lake rather than scientific explanations of it. Legend says that once upon a time the world was divided into two countries・the Above-World and the Under-World. Each was ruled by a chief when there was no Crater Lake but only a deep hole. Occasionally, the Under-World chief emerged to the surface from the hole. One day he saw his rival黌 daughter, Roha, and fell in love with her. Roha rejected his proposal of marriage. The Under-World chief returned home in a rage and blew up the hole and emitted a torrent of hot volcanic magma that devastated the Above-World. Raha lamented the tragedy and committed suicide by jumping into the hole. Her action closed the hole while mourners cried in remembering her. Their tears created the beautiful clear blue lake. What a wonderful story of the creation of the lake!

Phantom Ship

From the end of October to July the deep snow forces the park to close the six-mile-long Rim Drive that encircles the lake. When summer returns, colorful flowers bloom profusely. High mountain animals such as black bears and bobcats return. Wizard Island shines like a phantom ship in the middle of the lake. This anicent island is a reminder of the volcanic eruptions of the past. One wonders whether the "ship" is waiting for Roha to return from her sleep on the bottom of the lake. The legendary blue lake becomes more blue as snow waters melt in the sun and reflect the clear sky and snow-covered mountains.




Headquarters
P.O. Box 7 Crater Lake, Oregon 97604
Phone: 541-594-3100
http://www.nps.gov/havo/

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