Boating, hiking, experiencing and discovering nature, all of this is possible in Crater Lake National Park. This was founded on May 22nd, 1902 and offers 450,000 visitors annually on an area of 741 km² everything that a national park is popular for: animals, plants and breathtaking landscapes. If you want to see Crater Lake National Park, you have to travel to the state of Oregon. See a2zdirectory for tourist attractions in Oregon.
The story of the Crater Lake National Park
The Uxkani and Klamatz tell the story that 8,000 to 12,000 years ago people lived in what is now the Crater Lake National Park. Archaeological excavations also confirm these traditions. The first inhabitants actually witnessed the collapse of Mount Mazamas.
During excavations, the common objects of daily use were found. Furthermore, the surrounding caves must have served as living quarters. The indigenous people have been passing on their knowledge of the area in legends and mystical stories for generations. The whites, on the other hand, discovered the crater lake several times! Between 1853 and 1865, the lake was “discovered” three times by different people and each time it was given a different name. It has had its current name since 1869. This is why the Crater Lake National Park is also translated in German: Crater Lake National Park. It only got this name when it became clear that this was a volcano.
Animals in Crater Lake National Park
The largest population among mammals is the black bear. Mule deer, porcupines and the cheeky chipmunks are also common animals in the park. In addition, a large number of pikas, elk and hares populate the national park. Beware of coyotes, lynx and martens.
Over 200 different bird species live in the Crater Lake National Park. The most widespread bird species include the gray jays, steller, blue fowl and treecreeper. Nuthatches, wood warblers, finches, siskins and crossbills are also found in large numbers. The lake itself hardly offers any habitat for birds. It is simply too deep and the water is far too pure for birds or other animals to feed there. The five introduced fish species also multiply very slowly due to the low food supply.
The flora in Crater Lake National Park
There are very different weather conditions at Crater Lake. For example, very fluctuating amounts of precipitation are recorded on the east and west sides of the national park. The winters are also very long here and the differences in altitude also contribute to the fact that the flora has developed very differently.
So you can find swampy grassy areas especially in the lower area of the park. In addition, there are many oak trees. A little higher there is a forest. Douglas firs, pines and incense cedar are particularly common here, but on the east side you will find a desert-like landscape.
However, the aquatic moss in the crater lake is special. The moss grows at a depth of 130 meters and, thanks to the particularly clear water, has enough light to thrive there.