OK, OK, There’s a Little More to it . . .

Basically the lake was formed when Mt. Mazama collapsed 6,800 years ago after a series of violent volcanic eruptions. Subsequent eruptions created Wizard Island and sealed the bowl of the lake. Because of this seal, no streams enter or leave the lake. Snow and rain replenish what is lost to evaporation and seepage so the water level remains fairly constant. It’s around 6 miles long and, at 1,932 feet, it’s the deepest freshwater lake in the United States and the 7^th deepest in the world. It is this depth that creates the extraordinary blue you see in the water (blue light can travel further underwater than that of other colors along the spectrum.) All of this information was obtained from reading two or three signs posted around the rim. There was a distinct lack of ranger programs (evidently, everyone is still in training), and with the hordes of ravenous mosquitoes, the main reaction we had was “Woo.”

That’s not to say it isn’t beautiful. Because it is. But there really isn’t any reason to linger.

Plus, with all the snow still to be cleared, part of the rim drive (and much of the campground) was closed.