CRATER LAKE NATIONAL PARK

(previous from Napa Valley & Sonoma Valley)
After a short stop in Redding (nothing to say here except they have the largest sundial bridge in the world), we drove through amazing landscapes.  We passed Mt. Shatsha, which at 14100 feet, is one of the highest peaks in North America.  We stopped in Weed (California), a small town with surprisingly good local beers and made it to Crater Lake National Park (Oregon).

To our surprise, the average temperature at night during the warmest month of the year (August) is 4 degrees.  On our first night, the thermometer reached 2 degrees!  There was snow remaining in our campground!

Actually, this National Park receives on average 50 feet (20 meters+) of snow every year, so there were roads and many hiking trails still closed during our visit in mid-August.  Some of the trails (and roads) are open for about a month every year only!

I have no words to describe how beautiful this crater was.  I have never seen water so blue in my entire life…  To see snow capped volcanoes at a distance with clean dark blue water was simply magical. We hiked several trails during our 3 day stay at that park. 
A must see. 

(continue reading to Oregon)