Why is Crater Lake a must-see?

[Naio]

Having been there a couple of times, and camped all my life all over the west, I am surprised every time I see it on someone's itinerary.

The drive there is nice (no matter which route you take). But the park itself, meh. So, it's a lake. And there are volcanoes. But I've lived all my life among volcanoes and they are everywhere in the northwest.

Why aren't people going to Mt Hood or Mt Jefferson instead, speaking of volcanoes? I liked them so much better. C. Lake has a creepy vibe, IMO. I couldn't get out of there soon enough, last time.

Cue the 'personal choice' posts. Yep, I am expressing mine.

[MrWizard]

Ever been too Mt. LASSEN Calif
It's a plug dome volcano that erupted in 1915
Lots of little lakes around the area, and volcanic vents, steamy fumeroles and hot mud pits
BUMPUS HE'LL is a must see

[Searching_Ut]

In my younger years I went to Mt. Hood, Rainier, the Tetons etc to climb the mountains. If you're not going to climb them why bother? If you're not climbing them they're just something to look at. In those years camping was with a backpack, maybe small tent or even a snow cave. Later in life I find myself content to do simpler exploring, more based on relaxing and taking in the view. Roughing it now tends to mean no TV reception. Crater lake fits right in to what I'm looking for in life now offering some beautiful peaceful views, and a peaceful area in which to relax and explore. Well worth the time of exploring in my opinion.

[Roy_Lynne]

I loved Crater Lake and have been there twice, once in early spring with 10 foot snow and once in summer and I would go again. And there is lots to do, hiking, boat and trolley tours, ranger programs, swimming, fishing etc, just what you would find at Hood or Rainier. I guess it's to each his own.

[dave54]

Been there. Nice view. Probably will not go back.

The NPS has a de facto look but do not touch policy for the lake itself. You cannot put your own boat (canoe, kayak) into the lake. They say fishing is allowed, but restrict fishing to a 1/4 mile stretch of shoreline. Only one trail down to the lake. Neither campground has a lake view. I enjoy nearby Klamath Lake more. More wildlife, fishing, boating, hiking access.

[bukhrn]

Crater was on our list, we did it in August, glad we did, one day was absolutely gorgeous, unfortunately the second day was a waste, due to the smoke from the fires, could barely even see the lake.
But I have to agree with profdant, it's one of the most beautiful, places and absolutely the bluest we've ever seen.

[reed_cundiff]

The CG at Crater Lake is quite nice and there is a somewhat more primitive CG at Lost Creek. We spent a week there seeing the sights and taking great walks. There are a lot of great places to visit between there and Bend. We plan to spend time someday at Newberry Caves National Monument
Reed and Elaine

[reed_cundiff]

The CG at Crater Lake is quite nice and there is a somewhat more primitive CG at Lost Creek. We spent a week there seeing the sights and taking great walks.
Reed and Elaine

[tatest]

Why is anything a "must see?" Because somebody put it on a list.

A lot of "must see" places have been turned into "don't go there, it has been ruined by crowding and tourist development." Because they were "must see."

My own must see places tend more to be urban places with different cultures, rather than ultrapopular parks, many of those not so popular for what is there, as they are for proximity to heavily populated areas where people need to go somewhere, anywhere, to get away a little bit, for a while. Thus GSMNP and Yosemite as the most crowded parks in the system, easiest to get to for large numbers of people.

[nvreloader]

Is the "Old Man" still in the lake???,
as the Rangers use to call him.

The last time I seen him was the late 80's, he may have gone under by now.

What is the "Old Man", you ask,
it is an old stump of a tree, that stuck up/out of the water at least 20+', and floated all over the lake, depending on wind currents etc.

It was a big thing with all family's who could spot the "Old Man, first......

He was in the lake for LOTS of years, I know from the 60's to the 80's.

Tia,
Don

nvreloader wrote:

How many of you that have visited Crater Lake, have seen the "Old Man" ????? Tia, Don

[goducks10]

To really appreciate Crater Lake you need to do the Rim Drive and take one of the boat tours. I've done the Rim Drive several times, in a car and on motorcycles. Just driving up to the edge and looking down on it and then leaving won't capture all of it's uniqueness. The boat tour is very informative. It's amazing how many water falls and streams flow into the lake. I guess it's like anything else, it's what you make of it as to what you get out of it. There's also several hikes in the area that will get you a gorgeous view of the lake as well as Diamond lake that's nearby.
I've lived in Oregon all my life and still never get tired of going there. Maybe it's living in a state that's wilderness oriented that makes me appreciate the outdoors.

[4X4Dodger]

Naio wrote:
Having been there a couple of times, and camped all my life all over the west, I am surprised every time I see it on someone's itinerary.

The drive there is nice (no matter which route you take). But the park itself, meh. So, it's a lake. And there are volcanoes. But I've lived all my life among volcanoes and they are everywhere in the northwest.

Why aren't people going to Mt Hood or Mt Jefferson instead, speaking of volcanoes? I liked them so much better. C. Lake has a creepy vibe, IMO. I couldn't get out of there soon enough, last time.

Cue the 'personal choice' posts. Yep, I am expressing mine.

What on earth did you find there that gave you a "creepy vibe"?

[4runnerguy]

Crater Lake is relatively unique. The only other place in the lower 48 that is similar is Newberry Crater over by Bend, but it's nowhere near as high and the crater rim has been breached. There are some geological curiosities at Newberry that aren't at Crater Lake, but all-in-all, I think Crater Lake is more beautiful. As the clearest lake in the world, it is also just amazingly blue.

I guess one could say that once you've been to Mt. Rainier or Mt. Hood or Lassen, one has seen a volcano and why go see another?

[nvreloader]

How many of you that have visited Crater Lake,
have seen the "Old Man" ?????


Tia,
Don

[Executive45]

Like the redwood forests of NorCal....once you've seen a tree they all look the same. right?..then go to the Sequoia National forest. The smallest one is bigger around than most of the houses in Florida!

Hard to describe the feeling when one simply observes and thinks about the diversity we have in this great country.

We've always chuckled at the folks that simply pull up in their car, snap a couple pics and drive off...guess they can now cross that one off their list of things to see...:S. This happens at the Grand Canyon, Mt. Rushmore, Yosemite, Crater Lake, Lake Tahoe and even Yellowstone!...

IMHO, one should shorten their list and subscribe to the adage of quality over quantity....it's not how MANY places you're able to see during your trip, but how MUCH you've taken the time to see....Dennis