Wow.

Very cool!

I noticed the snow at Crater Lake. Wonder what the altitude is (I know, I could google but I'm lazy). I'm also jealous - seeing the northern lights is on my bucket list.

Burce, the altitude is relatively high, especially considering it is a caldera - the original mountain top having blown off some eons ago. Wiki says 8,000'. I do believe that much of it is snow-bound until well into July before they start plowing. The main visitor area is kept open year round, but not the circular drive around the lake. An awesome sight, even in daylight with no *extra attractions*.

And yes, the lake really is that blue.

Bruce, if another perspective might help you, here's a few webcams from Mt.Rainier around the 5500' level. From what you can see, all the trails heading from the Paradise visitor center are still snowbound, and will likely be that way for weeks. IIRC, the wildflowers don't come out until well into August, and you can still hit large patches of snow even 500-1000' above the visitor center. The mountain is always snow capped, and only for those trained and/or guided by experts. Rainier's visitor center at Sunrise is about 6500' and doesn't normally open (as in the roads are PLOWED) until well into late May early June. Crater Lake at what is now its "top" is a few thousand feet higher than those levels.

Beautiful - thanks for sharing that Cathy!!

Beautiful pictures Cathy.  Thanks for sharing them.  I have seen the Northern Lights twice in my life but nothing like that!

The Pacific Northwest is absolutely gorgeous.