Reschke
Linthicum
Crater Lake National Park has an origin story that involves volcanoes, a collapsed mountain and buckets of rain and snow.
About 7,700 years ago, a massive volcanic eruption occurred at Mount Mazama, causing the mountain to collapse inward. The result was a caldera, or large cauldron-like hollow, that measures 5 to 6 miles in diameter. Over the next several thousand years, rain and snow filled the basin to form Crater Lake, whose depth of 1,943 feet makes it the deepest freshwater lake in the United States.
Before its eruption, Mount Mazama was about 12,000 feet in elevation; the highest point on the caldera rim is now just over 8,000 feet. The southern Oregon park, located in the Cascade Range about 60 miles north of the state’s border with California, gets about 41 feet of snow each year. Although some roads are closed seasonally, winter activities are popular. The area was designated a national park in 1902.
NCSL reached out to Sen. Diane Linthicum (R), of District 28, and Rep. E. Werner Reschke (R), of District 55, who represent the area.
What does Crater Lake National Park mean for your district?
Linthicum: It’s the largest draw for the district. There is a drive you can do around the rim, and you go to the overlooks and see unique aspects. It’s just phenomenal. People come into Oregon and they start there, and you can see other cultural attractions from there.
Reschke: Crater Lake National Park is the only national park in Oregon. It attracts over a half million visitors from all over the world each year. The breathtaking beauty of the deep blue water, formed within the caldera of the ancient volcano is unique. This world-renowned attraction generates over $60 million a year from tourism and supports nearly 1,000 jobs in southern Oregon.
What makes Crater Lake special?
Linthicum: The caldera has no inlet and no outlet, so the water is very pristine. It is as clear and pure water as you can get because it’s from rainfall and snowfall. It’s 8,000 feet in elevation, and it gets a lot of beautiful wildflowers in the summer. It’s also temperate, so if it’s warmer at lower elevations, it’s the perfect climate up there.
Reschke: The lake fills a massive caldera nearly six miles wide with surrounding cliffs that rise up 2,000 feet above the water. Wizard Island, a volcanic cinder cone, rises from the lake and is a striking centerpiece.
Crater Lake National Park is rich in biodiversity. It preserves 183,000 acres of old-growth forest, alpine meadows and dramatic volcanic formations. Wildlife include black bears, elk, bald eagles and the elusive pine marten. It’s a quiet, uncrowded park, making it ideal for serenity and nature hikes.
Rim Drive, a 33-mile scenic loop around the lake, offers dozens of jaw-dropping viewpoints. Hiking trails range from family friendly to strenuous, like the Garfield Peak Trail with panoramic views. Boat tours are available to Wizard Island and during the winter, Crater Lake National Park is a haven for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
What is your favorite thing to do at Crater Lake?
Linthicum: It gets an amazing amount of snow, so we love to go cross-country skiing. It’s peaceful and you can enjoy all the beauty you are seeing, and you don’t have to rush through. We also love the hikes.
Reschke: The blue water is amazing. It takes my breath away every time I visit. I appreciate the serene, natural beauty of the park. It is a stunning place to be with nature, breathe fresh air and relax away from the hurried pace of modern life.
What else is great about your district? What else should visitors see?
Linthicum: Crater Lake is in Klamath County, and from there you can go to Deschutes County, which is home to Bend, where you can go river rafting. You can go to the town of Sisters and see cultural things, crafts and things like that, and at the end of the day, you can go to famous pubs and breweries.
You can go rafting on the Rogue River or go on jet-boat tours, for an afternoon to a week on the river. In Jacksonville, there are winery tours in the valley, and you can taste all those wines.
I am honored to be representing this phenomenal area of Oregon. We couldn’t be happier here and represent the good folks who live here, and we are always happy to welcome people.
Reschke: The Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuge. Upper Klamath Lake is one of the largest freshwater lakes in Oregon. It is an internationally renowned birding hotspot, especially for migratory birds along the Pacific Flyway. Further to the south, Tule Lake and Lower Klamath refuges host bald eagles, pelicans, herons and tundra swans.
Collier Memorial State Park and Logging Museum near Chiloquin features a unique outdoor museum of historic logging equipment and also has a beautiful campground along Spring Creek for fishing, canoeing or paddleboarding.
Williamson River and Wood River are extremely popular for fly fishing, kayaking and scenic paddling. The rivers flow through quiet meadows and wetlands, offering a peaceful alternative to busy lakes.
Nora Caley is a Denver-based freelance writer.
“My District” gives NCSL members a chance to tell us about life in the places they represent, from the high-profile events to the virtues only locals know about.