How old is crater lake in oregon

Crater Lake was formed by the fall of a volcano. Mount Mazama, a 12,foot-tall volcano, erupted and collapsed approximately 7, years ago, forming Crater Lake.

Mount Mazama was an important symbol to the native Makalak people who lived in the surrounding areas. Makalak legend explains that the fall of the mountain was caused by a brutal battle between the spirit of the sky and the spirit of the mountain.

The destructive eruption signaled the end of the battle, but many natives mourned the loss of the sacred volcano. As you explore Crater Lake, take time to remember its sacred history. The drive around Rim Road features more than 30 scenic pullouts. At Pinnacles Overlook, visitors can see volcanic ash frozen into foot-tall solid rock formations. For a unique spot bursting with color, stop at Pumice Castle Overlook. Over time, an orange layer of pumice eroded into the shape of a castle -- a magnificently royal occurrence.

Or visitors can step back in time at Discovery Point and imagine themselves in the boots of John Hillman, the first pioneer to see Crater Lake. With so many wonders along the way, the mile drive around Rim Road can be an all-day sightseeing trip!

The unique tree life gives the park color. Crater Lake National Park is home to some amazing old growth forest ecosystems. The park has four forest zones to explore -- ponderosa pine forest, lodgepole pine forest, mountain hemlocks zone and whitebark pines zone -- each one named after its dominant tree species.

Make sure to enjoy these natural beauties as you hike or snowshoe through the landscape. Enjoy some outstanding wildlife viewing. With many different mammals, amphibians, fish and birds, Crater Lake is home to plenty of wildlife.

Deer, squirrels and birds are most common, but visitors exploring the forests and trails might encounter elk and bobcats. If you are lucky enough to see these amazing creatures, always remain a safe distance away and never feed wildlife. The warm glow of the sunrise fills Crater Lake in the early mornings with colors reflecting off the water and snow.

Sunsets in the park are just as spectacular. On clear, moonless nights, starscapes illuminate the park, and visitors can see satellites, planets and the arms of the Milky Way. Crater Lake is a great place to test your cycling skills. The hilly landscape requires extreme endurance and plenty of training prior to participation.

Rim Road goes vehicle-free two days a year for the Ride the Rim event. This depth is referenced at the surface elevation of 1, m 6, ft. But since its primary input source is dependent upon the climate, lake level is subject to abrupt changes.

Crater Lake partially fills the collapsed caldera of the ancient Mount Mazama Volcano. The caldera is a bowl-shape depression of about 1, m 4, ft deep.

The maximum depth of Crater Lake recorded at the time of the July multibeam survey was m 1, ft. The lake level had an elevation of 1, m 6, ft above sea level at the time of the survey. The lake level of Crater Lake fluctuates according to the climate. A terrible darkness spread over the area for days.

All spirits of Earth and sky took part in this battle, creating intense fear among the people. Attempting to calm the ferocious volcano gods and to make up for the sins of the tribe, two medicine men offered to sacrifice themselves and jumped into the pit of Below-World. Impressed by their heroic sacrifice, Skell fought even harder. He finally defeated Llao, driving Llao deep down into the Below-World. He collapsed the top of Mount Mazama to imprison Llao forever beneath the world.

Skell wanted peace and tranquility to cover up this dark pit, so he filled it with the beautiful blue water. John Wesley Hillman, Henry Klippel, and Isaac Skeeters, were in search of the legendary "Lost Cabin" gold mine when they came upon the lake by accident on June 12, Hillman reported that this was the bluest lake he had ever seen, and Skeeters called it Deep Blue Lake.

In , Chauncy Nye and his party of prospectors also came upon the lake. Nye wrote the first published article about the lake, stating "the waters were of a deeply blue color causing us to name it Blue Lake".

The lake was later rediscovered on August 1, by two hunters working with road crews from Fort Klamath. Sergeant Orsen Sterns and several others came to see the now-legendary lake.