It's easy to quote statistics about Oregon's Crater Lake -- the deepest lake in the United States, the seventh deepest in the world -- but it's hard to accurately describe the water's mesmerizing and intensely saturated hues. We need to invent a whole new color since neither azure, cobalt, sapphire, or cerulean will do. The scientific explanation is that the intense blue results from the lake's clarity, purity, and depth of almost 2,000 feet.
Crater Lake National Park is in the Cascade Range of volcanoes that extends from Canada to Northern California. This lake in the sky is at an elevation of almost 7,000 feet; its six-mile -wide caldera was created by the eruption and collapse of Mount Mazama about 7,700 years ago.
In warmer months, you can hike or drive around a 33-mile circle of cliffs fringed with hemlock, fir, pine, and mountain vistas. In winter , the Rim Road is closed, but you can still take in the breathtaking views at Rim Village on Oregon Route 62. Legend says that Indian shamans forbid tribe members to look at the lake. Here's hoping there's nothing to stop you from taking in this wonder of the Northwest.
Crater Lake National Park, Steel Information Center open every day (except Christmas) 9 a.m.-5 p.m., $10 per car. 541-594-2211. nps.gov/crla. 
