The Cascade Mountain range (extending from southern British Columbia through Washington and Oregon to Northern California) was a home to many indigenous groups over the ages. The Klamath were one of the early tribes inhabiting these mountains, most of their people settling in the land that would become the state of Oregon. Mount Mazama (located about 100 miles east of the Pacific Ocean) was believed to be a portal to Llao, their god of the underworld. Over 7,700 years ago the mountain exploded--the volcano is estimated to have been 42 times more powerful than Mount St. Helens' 1980 blast. The Klamaths recounted the events as a great battle between Llao and his rival Skell, their sky god. They abandoned this area and never returned, as it was considered holy land.
Long centuries passed as melting ice and snow filled in the depths of the caldera (volcanic basin) that remained after the mountain's collapse. A massive lake formed here, hidden inside the mountain wall and surrounded by a great expanse of forest. On June 12, 1853, John Wesley Hillman was reportedly the first European American to discover what he named "Deep Blue Lake" in Oregon. The lake was renamed at least three times, as Blue Lake, Lake Majesty, and finally Crater Lake. During his campaign, President Theodore Roosevelt agreed to help preserve the lake along with much of its surrounding land. On May 22, 1902, Crater Lake National Park was established as the sixth National Park in the United States.
Crater Lake
Mount Mazama
Crater Lake (photo)
Crater Lake National Park