Categories: Travel

This “Old Man” Has Been Floating in Oregon’s Crater Lake for Over 100 Years!

This enigmatic centenarian is steeped in mystery and legend.

There are some phenomena that cannot be explained. Not even by science. One of these involves an over-a-century-year-old resident at an Oregon lake that has been living in its waters for generations.

Back in 1886, a geologist named Joseph S. Diller conducted the first geological study of Oregon’s Crater Lake.

Then he noticed a fully vertical tree stump in the middle of the water.

Initially, Diller thought the stump, an ancient hemlock, was anchored by its roots to the bottom of the lake. However, he was astonished when he witnessed it moving around the lake, buffeted by the wind and waves.

He tied balling wire to the stump’s exposed portion, and pulled it around for a distance to establish that the stump was indeed mobile.

Later, Diller published the first geological findings about the 30-foot hemlock stump.

It eventually became known as the “Old Man of the Lake.”

Source: Flickr

A hundred years after Diller wrote about the mysterious floating stump, the “Old Man” is still there, floating upright in the water.

In 1938, naturalist John Doerr dedicated three months to tracking its travel patterns and recorded that the stump moved over 62 miles in the lake. During one windy day, it even traveled as much as 3.8 miles.

A park ranger atop the “Old Man,” circa 1930s.

From the waterline mark, the “Old Man” measures 2 feet in diameter, and exposes approximately 4 feet of its length above the water.

Its surface is bleached white from over a century of sun, rain, and snow.

Source: Panoramio

Mysteriously enough, despite decades spent in its watery home, the splintered and worn stump has never rotted or sank. It remains vertical with four feet remaining above the water, and the rest of its body floating beneath the cold lake.

It remains strong enough to support a person’s weight.

Source: Glumshoe

In fact, a popular legend grew saying the “Old Man” controls the weather. Back in 1988, scientists took a submarine out to the lake to explore its depths. To prevent the submarine bumping into the stump, they tied the “Old Man” up in a nearby island.

The moment they immobilized the stump, the sky darkened and a storm arose, which only cleared up the moment they released the “Old Man.”

Over the years the hemlock stump in Crater Lake has amassed a tourist following.

It has become a minor celebrity in its own right.

Source: Flickr

What other “Old Man” has witnessed the turn of the century from its lone spot on the water?

Leave a Comment

Recent Posts

March 14th Holiday – Pi Day or Something Else?

Table of Contents: Introduction: The Significance of the March 14th Holiday The Mathematical Marvel: Unraveling…

November 1, 2023

Mystery Of Missing Pages

Who made them disappear? What was the reason? Where did they go? Why? Gather round,…

July 26, 2023

Bees Kill Penguins by Stinging Them in the Eyes

Swarm of bees stings the eyes of penguins in Cape town 60 penguins died from…

November 16, 2021

2000 Kilogram Sunfish Caught Off North African Coast

A massive ocean sunfish measuring 2,000 kilograms was caught on North African Coast It is named Mola alexandrini or…

November 16, 2021

Man Embezzles $57K in COVID-19 Relief to Buy Pokemon Cards

A businessman in Georgia utilized the Covid-19 relief to buy a limited edition Charizard Pokemon card He committed…

November 8, 2021

Florida Man Catches and “Recycles” Alligator in Driveway

Man captures an alligator in his neighbor's yard in FloridaHe uses a trash can to…

November 1, 2021

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience.