Page:Oregon, her history, her great men, her literature.djvu/277



above sea level; while above it tower walls from 500 to 2,000 feet. Imagine a lake occupying the crater of this extinct volcano. From the dark gray walls that rim the crater, one can look far down upon the water of unbelievable blue. There can be seen Wizard Island, a more recent volcano, which rises to a height of 845 feet above the water, and has a crater of its own a hundred feet deep, and fifteen hundred feet in circumference. There can also be seen another island—a mass of curiously carved lava called the Phantom Ship—which is interesting because of its fancied resemblance to a turreted battleship, and because of its peculiar coloring, which in certain slants of light causes the image to disappear — a phantom indeed.

Crater Lake was discovered by a party of prospectors under John W. Hillman, June 12, 1853. The Federal Government is constructing a system of roads through the park under the name of "Miracle Boulevard" that will encircle this marvelous body of water, and will be completed in 1 9 1 9. It is proposed to bore a tunnel a half mile long through the crater rim so that vehicles can convey visitors between the summit and the lake below.

Crater Lake Described by Joaquin Miller. "Crater Lake? The Sea of Silence? Ah, yes, I had forgotten—so much else; besides I should like to let it alone, say nothing. It took such a hold on my heart, so unlike Yosemite, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, when first seen, that I love it almost like one of my own family. But fancy a sea of sapphire set around by a com- SAND PINNACLES Near "Miracle Boulevard," Crater Lake National Park