Crater Lake Hike

Our hike up Garfield Peak, at Crater Lake, in pictures:

 Great views, even from the bottom.

 It was steep and dusty.

 We also got a view of one of the forest fires nearby.

 Views from the top.  Wizard Island too.

And Phantom Ship down there as well.

Crater Lake with Mt. Thielsen in the distance.  That lake is just amazingly blue.  

The hike was "strenuous."  It was a long, steep climb to the top, but we all made it! 

At the top we enjoyed panoramic views of the deep blue lake, a welcome rest,  fruit snacks and energy bars.  Then we trudged back down.  

It made for a long day, between the drive and the hike, but it was a great day, spent together as a family.  We haven't done as much hiking this summer as we did the last few years.  We were trying to get one more hike in before weather and our schedule makes it difficult to get out.  

It was one year ago, almost exactly, since we'd been to Crater Lake.  That time it was windy and cold, plus there was snow on the ground.  This year, it was warm and dry.  We got it right this time!