Crater Lake -- 3

We wrap up our coverage of our visit to Crater Lake National Park by focusing on some of the other components of the park.

One of the park's inhabitants is the Golden-Mantled Ground Squirrel.

Never feed wildlife.

These sure-footed little chipmunk-like squirrels can navigate the steep rocky hillsides around the overlooks with lightning speed.

Feeding, touching, or approaching wildlife is prohibited.

Its cheek pouches are used to carry food to its den where it is stored during until the spring when it wakes up from its October to May hibernation.

One place where humans can "hibernate," albeit for a much shorter period of time (nice segue, right?), is the Crater Lake Lodge.

The 71-room Crater Lake Lodge opened in 1915. The lodge, listed in the National Register of Historic Places, was reopened after extensive renovation in 1995 and

offers an atmosphere reminiscent of the 1920s, immersing visitors in its rustic charm (see the photos below).

And even though our eyes are focused on the lake and its plant and animal life about 95 per cent of the time, there are other views that are equally captivating.

It was about mid-afternoon when we decided to leave the park. As we turned away from the Watchman Overlook, we saw these views of the hills to the southwest. The blues and purples of the hills just blow me away.

We left the park at the North Junction and headed back to Canyonville.