Every year, nearly 750,000 visitors take in the stunning beauty of Crater Lake. Its deep, brilliant blue waters delight and enchant everyone who gazes on them, but the lake itself is just one of the fascinating features of Crater Lake National Park. Sadly, many people leave without ever laying eyes on The Pinnacles – some truly unique volcanic pumice spires.

Most visitors to Crater Lake National Park are there to view the incredible lake. Reaching depths of 1,949 feet, the lake is the country's deepest, and its azure waters are absolutely gorgeous.
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The lake was formed around 5700 BC, when Mount Mazama had a huge volcanic eruption. The mountain collapsed, leaving only a large caldera. Over the following 740 years, water slowly filled the caldera up, creating a beautiful lake.
It's tempting to take in the beauty of the lake, then hop back in your car and be on your way...but wait! You don't want to miss The Pinnacles.
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These 100-foot-tall spires are fossil fumaroles, which were created when gas seeped up through hot ash, cementing it into rock.
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We're talking about some seriously hot conditions here! The ash deposits reached temperatures of more than 750 degrees Fahrenheit as the hot gases vented through the rocks and lava. Later, streams carved away the softer rock around the cemented ash, leaving these spires.

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You can see The Pinnacles from the overlook along Pinnacle Road, but to get an even closer look, take the Pinnacles Valley Trail.
Matt Fornaciari/Alltrails
The trail is short and easy. You'll stroll for less than a half mile along a fairly level path.
Brittany Smith/Alltrails
The first portion of this path is considered accessible to wheelchairs and strollers, but the last bit to the overlook is a little bit more steep.
You'll soon come to an overlook that provides some great views of the spires. Don't forget your camera!
Jeremy Jones/Alltrails
The path is nice and wide, but the drop-offs into the valley below are steep, so stay back from the edge.

You can learn even more about Crater Lake National Park on its website, and you might want to give its Facebook page a follow to see the latest updates there.

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Crater Lake, Oregon 97604, USA