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Free Traveling Guides » States » Oregon » Greater Oregon
Wizard Island
Wizard Island is a magnificent volcanic cinder cone situated at the west end of Crater Lake, Oregon. It rises to approximately 6,933 ft (2,113 m) above sea level. Wizard Island is at an elevation of about 755 ft (230 m) above the average surface of the lake. The Island was named by Will G. Steel, the one who also named the 500ft (152.4 m) volcanic crater on the island as the "Witches Cauldron". The Island occupies an area of about 1.278 km² (315.85 acres).
Hundreds of years after a large stratovolcano called Mount Mazama collapsed to form a huge caldera that now holds the Crater Lake, several cinder cones were formed by a series of small eruptions. The highest of these cinder cones was the Wizard Island that is, at present, at an elevation of 2, 700 ft (823 m) above the deepest point in the Crater Lake. It was named so due to the resemblance of the cinder cone to a wizard’s hat.
It is only during the summer months that public access to the island is allowed. During this period, several boat tours are in operation on Crater Lake. The boat passengers can choose to disembark on the island. Besides, there are two scenic hiking trails on Wizard Island. One trail circles the crater on the top while the other trail winds up from the dock towards the western end of the island.
In order to reach the Wizard Island, one has to descend down a 1.6 miles (2.57 km) long trail that goes down from the rim by a number of switchbacks. The rocks along the trail, red, yellow, grey, and brown in color, are called ‘andesites’. Wizard Island is rich in beauty and history and is worth a visit.
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