Crater Lake fills a caldera formed nearly eight thousand years ago when an ancient volcano blew itself out. National Park status was bestowed in 1902, our 5th national park. It is the deepest lake in the U.S. at 1949 feet, and the clearest based on scientific measurements. Its only source of water is rain and snow, which is extremely plentiful, and the only outlet is evaporation. I've been told by Rangers that the water level varies by three feet or less throughout a year. There is so much snow that park roads are fully open for less than four months each year. During that time, the Rim Road circles the lake with a circumference of 30+ miles.
From Rim Road, a wide variety of views are available. The depth and purity of the water account for the deep color.
Formations within the lake, remnants of the eruption, include the Phantom Ship.
Wizard Island is a lava dome that formed subsequent to the last eruption.
One of the least visited in our national park system is Lassen Volcanic N P, located in Northern California. It is the only park with four distinct types of volcanoes. Areas within the park are still active as evidenced by fumaroles, mud pots and hot springs, similar to Yellowstone N P but on a much smaller scale. The park includes mountains, lakes, streams, meadows and the geothermal area.
The geothermal area is known as Bumpass Hell, the name given it by early miners in the area.
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