The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-15
Our CRATER LAKE.
Interesting Map Of This Great Nntu-
raj Curiosity in the Cascades.
New York Sun.

New York Sun.
One of the most interesting maps that
have been published by the Geological Sur
vey shows the district around Cedar Lake.
in Oregon. which is regarded as one Of the
most interesting regions among the C0rdil
lcras. Our country can show a great variety
OF lakes. but there is only one crater lake
among them. unless we go 10 Hawaii. These
lakes are found In many parts of the world
where volcanoes have played an important
role in geological history. They are most
abundant in Italy and Central America.
where volcanoes are still active, and they
are also conspicuous in France, Germany.
India Hawaii and some other countries.
crater lakes since Hawaii became a Terri
tory OF the United States. but il is doubtful
if any other lake OF this type in the world
equals IN interest and beauty that which
is perched on a mountain in Oregon.
Crater lakes occupy the craters OF vol
canoes or pits of volcanic origin. II Is
supposed that our crater lake was first
seen by white men in 1858. though II had
long been known to the Indians, who re-
garded it with awe as the abode OF the
Great Spirit. In recent years the lake has
been surveyed by the Geological Survey
ard visited by a large party of the Maza-
mas. a society Of mountain climbers of
Portland, ore. There is no doubt that the
trip would become very popular among
tourists if the lake were more easily Access
sible. A while ago IL could be reached
only by private conveyance over rough
mountain roads for a distance of eighty
miles from the railroad. and the facilities
have probably not been much improved
since then.
The lake is deeply set I'm the summit of
the Cascade range. about sixty-five miles
north Of the California line. Mr.. Diller.
Of the Geological Survey, in the descrip-
ton he has written Of the lake, says that
on approaching II from any side the OBJ
server sees a broad cluster of gentle peaks
rising about 1000 feet above the general
crest of the range on which they stand.
The traveller does not realize the steep
ness Of the ascent till he has left the main
road, three miles from the lake. The way
is Uttered with lava powders and well
studded with frs. Arriving at the crest
the lake in all it's majestic beauty comes
suddenly upon the and is a most
impressive sight. The eye behods twenty
miles of almost unbroken cliffs, ranging
from over 800 TO nearly 1900 feet above the
surface of the water. These cliffs the
boundaries Of the crater and encircle the
deep blue sheet of placid water 623s feet
above sea level that occupies the ancient
cauldron of the volcano.
There is no beach. The steep slopes
above the surface OF the lake continue
immense pit is about 1000 feet deep and
the lake is nearly 200 feet in depth. The
water is so transparent that even on a
hazy day a small dinner plate may be seen
at depth Of nearly 100 feet. 1t contains
no fish, but a small crustacean fiourishes
in it's waters. The level of the lake oscil-
lates with the seasons, rising in the rainy
winter and falling in the summer. The
precipita ton is greater than evaporation
in that region, but, as the lake does not fill
up and overflow, ii is evident that the
surplus water must have some subter-
ranean outlet. probably toward the south
east, where the country is traversed by
extensive breaks in the rocks and abounds
in excellent springs.
Crater lake IL in the heart of the Cas-
cade forest reserve. Considered in all its
aspects, it is regarded by scientific men
who have seen il as ranking with the Grand
Canyon, the Yosemite valley and Niagara.
1t is well worthy 20 be set aside as ma
tional park for the perpetual pleasure and
instruction Of the people.