Backpacking Crater Lake National Park: The West Crater Rim and Lightning Springs

This was a trip I made to Crater lake at the end of June 2023 to have a short reunion with my old Junior High/High School friend and his family. I figured since I was going the distance, I might as well do a short backpacking trip. Most of the park was still closed down during this venture to the deepest lake in the United Sates. Access to the north and east sides of the Crater was not available so I was limited to the West Crater Rim and Village. This ended up being a good thing. Last time I was in Crater Lake the west side was on fire and closed off, forcing us to explore the east and north sides. This trip was the opposite. I had three days to explore the westside in relative isolation. Most of the crowds stuck to the Rim Village and the first mile or so of the West Crater Rim hike. Outside of this, the park was empty! I enjoyed a quiet camp at Lightning Springs for two nights and had glorious evenings all alone on the summits of the both Watchman and Hillman Peaks. Enjoy.

[@ezekielteklaking]

I'll be visiting Crater Lake soon, I appreciate the footage.

[@aaronfulwider779]

Awesome. Should be real nice there during the Autumn season.

[@wingwhacker7500]

That story must have happened 10,000 years ago when Mt. Mazama blew and created Crater Lake.

[@aaronfulwider779]

Absolutely, stories like this explain so much. Every volcano in the Cascades has a legend behind it. Thanks for watching.