Crater Lake in early May

Donna and I went up to Crater Lake National Park the first week of May on a clear windless day. We both wanted to see the famous beautiful blue water that Crater Lake is known for.

                  Instead we were witness to what the ranger said is a rather rare event. Clear skies but with a heavy inversion of clouds covering the water. 

Some of the canyons in Crater Lake are remarkable in their formation. 7700 years ago when the mountain was undergoing it's last eruptions, many of the canyons were filled with ash and pumice which was easily eroded leaving deep and sharp walled sides.

            This year was considered an average snowfall year. Because of its altitude and only being 100 miles from the coast, it does get a lot of snow. Average years see nearly 40 feet of snow but one record year 1932-33 saw 73 feet of snowfall.

The entrance to the park is some 3000 feet lower in elevation.