Volume I No. 1 - July 1, 1928

While illustrating for the benefit of a small group on a field trip, the collapse of Mt. Mazama occurred to the satisfaction of all concerned, including the naturalist. The peak had been reconstructed with a pile of loose earth beside the trail. A stick was pushed into the summit of the pile, to produce a crater. This stick passed without resistance into a gopher hole below the intended crater, whereupon the ancient mountain promptly fell in upon itself, leaving a caldera of the proper proportion to serve as the setting for Crater Lake.

It is often observed from the Rim above Crater Lake, and from boats on the lake, that great masses of sulphur are floating on the water. This arouses the curiosity of the tourists and explanations are continuously in order. The entire region being of volcanic origin, the conclusion is generally offered that the sulphur is due to this fact. Examination, however, discloses that this wheat substance is pollen, probably of the lodgepole (P. contorta) blown in clouds from a distance and dropped upon the water in significant quantities to be visible from the cliffs above the lake.

During a trip to Wizard Island several conies were observed. These animals have often been reported from this unusual place. The question has often been raised as to how they got there, since this small crater is separated from the cliffs of the rim by a considerable expanse of water. Many conjectures may be offered, but most of them can hardly be accepted. It is suggested that they crossed on the ice or on snow slides from the cliffs above. There are records of that portion of the lake, between the Island and the nearest cliffs freezing, but this little animal would not be seeking new environments at that time of the year.

Signs of conies may be found near the bottom of the crater on the Island, on the north side, near a cairn which has been piled there. A few moments of waiting will be rewarded. On this occasion one cony was observed at less than three paces.