Several years ago in late May, I was making my first foray into the Pacific Northwest during a two-month road trip and was approaching one of my bucket list destinations — the pure, deep blue waters of Crater Lake.

As I drove up Mount Mazama, patches of snow turned into piles that rose above the roof of my car and, as I got closer to the crater, the snow level was at roof level of the national park’s visitors center.

It was on this day that I learned Crater Lake is one of the snowiest places in the Lower 48, averaging about 44 feet of the white stuff per year. Though it was nearly Memorial Day, there was still more than 10 feet of snow around the rim.

Toketee_Falls.jpg

Toketee Falls in Umpqua National Forest.

WindRiver.jpg

One of the many lakes in the Wind River Range in the Bridger-Teton and Shoshone national forests in Wyoming.

Black_Hills.jpg

Exploring a cave in the Spearfish Canyon area of Black Hills National Forest.



Tags

Recommended for you