Crater Lake and Beyond

John and Anthony hiked along the western side of Crater Lake yesterday.. Click here to see a short video of Crater Lake  The basin that eventually became Crater Lake formed when a 12,000-foot-tall volcano called Mount Mazama erupted and collapsed 7,700 years ago. The volcanic basin, called a caldera, eventually filled with water and became the lake that we know today. Bottoming out at 1,943 feet, Crater Lake is the deepest lake in America. Today the hiked 21 miles. When they woke up this morning, Anthony thought he smelled someone frying bacon. He wondered if John had been holding out on him. But when he opened his tent John was only making coffee. "Where's our next destination?" he asked. John pulled out his map and looked north. "It looks like it's beyond those mountains over there." 
"Really?" Anthony asked, "Steak and eggs, with potatoes and gravy, and a stack of pancakes sure would be good if we're going to hike all the way passed that mountain."

 They made it around Mt. Thielson and took a break. They put their packs down and John took the last bit of water out of his water bottle. "There's a nice stream over there," Anthony said pointing. John pulled out his water filter and walked toward the stream. He stopped short when he heard the rattle. Between him and the stream sat a snake shaking its rattle. "Catch me a tasty mousey and I'll move," John turned to see if Anthony had thrown his voice. But Anthony was busy pulling out a candy bar out of his pack. John turned to look at the snake. It hadn't moved. It rattled again. John decided that he wasn't that thirsty after all.

The boys hiked 21 miles and got some nice views of Diamond lake.

.