USA 2006: Las Vegas & California
(continued)
Crater Lake Lodge, situated at an elevation of 7,100-feet, provides our accommodation for two nights (June 17th and 18th).
With
a maximum depth of 1,932-feet, Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States. Created by the eruption of Mount Manama about
7,700 years ago, the crater now holds a unique body of crystal-clear, pure blue water
The amazing scenery is enhanced at this time of year by the remnants of the previous winter's snowfall - the yearly average is 44-feet
Crater Lake has a maximum width of six miles. The cliffs that surround the lake range in height from 500-feet to almost 2,000-feet
above the surface. The highest point on the rim is Hillman Peak (8,151-feet)
Colourful sunsets provide a spectacular ending to the two days we spend at Crater Lake
June 19th: Located just south of the border with Oregon, Lava Beds National Monument preserves the legacy of Northern California's
volcanic activity. Cinder cones, shield volcanoes, lava tubes, spatter cones, and chimneys are just some of the examples of this volcanic
activity to be explored
The lava tube caves are some of the most striking features of the Lava Beds National Monument -
we explore two of these: Lava Brook
(above) and Mushpot
A sample of Obsidian - natural glass formed by the extremely rapid cooling of lava
This area in northern California was the sight of the Modoc War - the bloody struggle by the US Army to return the Modoc Indians to
their reservation in 1872 - 1873. The Modocs were able to fend off a much superior force for five months by hiding in the lava beds.
General
Edward Canby was commander of the Pacific Northwest in 1873, he was assassinated during peace talks with the Modoc. He was the only
United States general to be killed during the Indian Wars on April 11, 1873 (aged 55).
The Modocs surrendered on June 1st
1873 - their leaders were hanged and the remaining Indians sent to a reservation in Oklahoma
The road from the northeast entrance of the Lava Beds National Monument passes the Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge and takes us
to the small town of Tulelake where we spend the night at Fe's Bed & Breakfast