Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1901-07-04
MAJESTIC CRATER LAKE.
Graphic Description OF this
Wonderful Lake. Reached
from Grants Pass.

Parties coming into this city from the
mountains report that the SHOWS are
gone from the heights of the.Crater Lake
country, and that camping parties are
going in there from various parts,
Crater Lake, situated some 65 miles
east from Grants Pass, is beyond ques-
ton the best and most beautiful camp
ing place in Oregon. Anatural phenom-
enon to this lake, where majestic and
awe-inspiFing beauty has attracted
thoussnds of visitors from all parts of
the world.
In the year 1858 Crater Lake was dis
covered by white men, though the
Indians have known OF it from time
immemorisl, and called it Lake Mystery
The whites named it Lake Majestic, and
not until the exploring party, touring
that country in 1856 discovering its real
character, was it called Crater Lake.
1t was these men who discovered the
fact that the lake occupies the crater OF
an extinct volcano. The summit, in
whose apex the placid lake now rests,
was at one time a burning mountain,
and in one period Of geological time tow
cred high among the giant peaks OF
America, and from its burning apex,
through hundreds of years, cinders, as h.
es and lava were elected upon the sur
rounding country. Tue summit OF this
volcano ultimately blew out, leaving a
great hole in the mountain-top, 2S miles
in circumference, 6l9 miles long and y
miles wide. Then, in time, up from the
bottom OF this greater crater sprang
another volcano, which, in turn, shot
forth its cinders, ashes and lava forming
a towering peak in the center OF the
large era er. This peak today, standing
above the water, studded with trees and
shrubs, from its wonderful reflections
in the clear waters of the lake, is called
Wizard Isle.
Surrounding streams flowing in, to-
gether with rains and melting SHOWS,
soon filed the large basin with water,
after the last volcano died out. Here
far up in the uninhabited Cascades 5000
feet above the level of the sea, stands
this unique body Of ice-cold water The
depth OF the water is 20OO feet, the level
Of the water is 1900 feet below the rim
OF the crater. The banks OF the lake are
steep, rocky and precipitousi many
snow peaks leaning with their dark
shadows, over the crystal water far be-
low them. This charming lake, with nc
apparent outlet, fed by SHOWS and rains
ia large enough and many times deep
enough to float the monster warships oI
all nations Of the world Its placid bosom
has for many, many years reflected
with a mirrors cleHness the woods and
rocks of the crater's sides, the tall snow
peaks towering over them and held in awe
and wonder both red and white man.
Numberless persons, since its discovery
nave tuuthNuItu W NpuNtl WIN liu HtN
/. the impressions made by its grandeur
artists have tried to paint on canvas it's
enhancing beauties; poets have beer
inspired and sung Of Crater Lake bu
all must admit their inability to do th,
natural wonder justice.
The Government, several years ago
recognizing the fact of Crater Lake beinl
a natural wonder Of most extraordinary
beauty, segregated ii from the public do
main, and including some 20 OF the sur
> rounding townships, aot the whole aside
as public park.
This lake can be reached from Grants
'1Pms by way of Gold Hill, taking th'
old Klamath wagon road. The road il
fairly good and extends entirely to th,
! lake. There is not more pleasant trip
as a sumner outing, than a visit to Graf
er Lake. The streams abound will
trout, the woods are full Of game, anC
camping grounds, ideal in every respect
lie at the lakes side. TO see thi
charming and majestic body Of water IL
in itself worth the trouble Of going Their
e and a sight whose beauty one never for
gets.
D. II. S.