Before getting to this weeks desktop, there's a couple of things I wanted to remind you about.  First, expect the next update to be on time.   Second, the previous weeks wallpaper is always still available by clicking the preview to the left found on this page.  Enjoy!

Above is this weeks free desktop. This time we're traveling back for another look at a wonderful park, Crater Lake National Park. For those not familiar with it, Crater Lake is located in southern Oregon and is known for it's brilliantly blue water, awe inspiring views and for being the deepest lake in the US at 1943 ft deep. Formed in the collapsed remains of the 12,000 foot Mount Mazama, a volcano which experienced a cataclysmic eruption about 7,700 years ago, it is a closed system (no stream into or out of it) and with it eing one of the purest and most pristine in the world. Another interesting fact of Crater Lake is it has some of the heaviest snowfall in the US, averaging 533 inches a year, to save you from figuring, thats close to 44 ft. of snow ..... anyone up for building a few snowmen. (: The photo this week was shot in September 2005 from the top of Mount Scott at the fire lookout station, an excellent place to gain a real perspective of the area as it stands 2750 feet above the surface of the lake and is a couple of miles back from the rim. You are looking west back over Crater Lake with the far rim being close to 7.5 miles away. Now for the points of interest here, starting on the far rim, near the center of the picture, the peak to the left is The Watchman and the one to the right is Hillman Peak. The "bump" in the water in front of them is close to 6.5 miles away and just happens to be one of the more famous features here, Wizard Island. Wizard Island is actually a new volcanic cone of this reforming, yet presently inactive volcano. There is a boat which goes out to Wizard Island (it does cost a bit of coin though as I believe it was $28 per person in 2006) and you can hike to the top of this 767 ft feature for another interesting perspective. Lastly, the park road is clearly visible between Mt. Scott and the lake (you're getting a great view of the Cloudcap Overlook turn-off) and if you look just passed the 'triangle', there is a light colored mound on the far side of the road and a series of dots on this side. Those dots are cars in the parking area for the Mt. Scott trailhead (my van is actually the second dot starting from the right (;). The beginning of the 5 mile round-trip trail to the top of Mt. Scott can just be made out at the tree line and the parking meet (the light line), and can be followed to the left until it disappears behind the mountain. I really like Crater Lake NP as it's a beautiful, amazing place which is well worth at least one visit, but could inspire many return trips. Check the links section for more info on Crater Lake National Park.