Friday, May 29, 2009

Day 43: Crescent City CA to Diamond Lake OR

Friday, May 29
Crescent City CA to Diamond Lake OR
Odometer Begin: 113, 086
Miles traveled: 235
Time spent traveling: 7 hours
Other: Depth of Crater Lake which is the deepest lake in the US; just under 2,000 feet.
Wx: sunny low 80s F.
States traveled: CA, OR

We said goodbye to Christy, Stephen, Ian and Miles (their dog) and started out on Highway 199 which winds along the Smith River. It is a very beautiful ride. We then followed the Rogue River up to Crater Lake National Park. Much of the park is still closed due to snow, but we could get in the west entrance and drive up to the lake. About a mile was cleared on the rim road so we did get some great views. Crater Lake was formed about 7,700 years ago when a volcano erupted and then collapsed. The lake is thought to be the cleanest in the world because it is fed by rain and snow only. Nothing runs into or out of the lake. It’s clarity gives the water a brilliant blue color.
After our visit we headed north and found a Forest Service campground on Diamond Lake in the Umpqua National Forest. This campground is massive and even still it was tough finding a site on the water, but we did find one that a RV wouldn’t be able to pull into…yea tents!
Crater Lake

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