Deep within Oregon’s breathtaking Crater Lake National Park, there’s a strange sight that has baffled and fascinated visitors for over a century. It’s not a creature or a geyser—it’s a log. But not just any log. This is The Old Man of the Lake, a 30-foot tall hemlock tree stump that has been floating upright in the lake since at least 1896.

Yes, upright—like a ghostly sentry keeping watch over the lake’s cobalt-blue waters.

A Natural Mystery
Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States, formed nearly 8,000 years ago after the eruption and collapse of Mount Mazama. With no inlets or outlets, its waters are famously pure and still.

In the midst of this tranquil beauty floats the Old Man, perfectly vertical, bobbing steadily like he’s been planted there. No one knows how he got that way, or why he continues to float so perfectly balanced. Scientists believe the extremely cold water has helped preserve the wood, slowing decay for over a century.

First Recorded in 1896
The Old Man was first officially recorded by geologist Joseph S. Diller in 1896. Since then, rangers and scientists have kept an eye on him, sometimes even tying a buoy to track his movements. One surprising fact? Despite the lack of wind and current in the lake, he’s been known to travel miles in a single day.

In 1938, when researchers temporarily tied him up to prevent interference with a boat study, the weather mysteriously turned rough. Local lore now warns: Don’t mess with the Old Man.

More Than Just a Log
Over the years, this floating relic has taken on an almost spiritual significance. Some believe he’s a good omen. Others just marvel at his persistence. For photographers, boaters, and nature lovers alike, catching sight of the Old Man is like spotting a living piece of history.

See Him for Yourself
Crater Lake is accessible from late spring to early fall. Boat tours are available during the summer, and while there’s no guarantee you’ll spot the Old Man (he drifts around), many lucky visitors have seen him up close—stoic, balanced, mysterious.

In a world moving too fast, the Old Man of the Lake reminds us that some things endure.
Whether you see him as a scientific oddity, a spiritual totem, or just a very committed piece of driftwood, his story is uniquely Oregon—and well worth sharing.

Pretty cool, you'd of thunk that log should be water logged and sunk by now...

I always thought this was a cool story.

From Oregon, but I've never seen it. Been there a few times. It's a pretty cool story.

Learned something today. Thanks for the history lesson.

I've seen this story before , but it is cool. Good post Revenant.

On my local lake , we have a mini floating 'island'

My lake is a man made inpoundment storage reservoir for hydro electric. It was created in 1928. Kinda like a giant storage battery , water is pumped uphill from the river in a 20 foot wide pipe during the night and drained during the day through a hydroelectric turbine to make power during peak demand.

To create the lake they took all the land in a valley across 5 towns. The lake is 14 miles long. They bought out all the farmers that were there and cut down massive amounts of timber. After cutting down the timber they had absolutely massive bonfires that could be seen for 10's of miles. Stumps were left behind.

Over time after the valley was flooded , some stumps floated to the top and removed. But there was this one big clump of stumps that was too big to remove because it contained over 100 stumps. It floated around for years but was soon deemed a hazard to navigation and was then chained up to the shoreline in an out of way area.

So now it looks like this , about 60' X 60' , only sticking above water a couple inches. Over the years dirt accumulated and there are lots of little plants and saplings on it. You can walk on it , but it is mushy as it flexes.

Great hideout for fish.

The weirdest thing I know in, or near a lake is Sugar Loaf. It's in Piqua, Ohio on the canal close to Swift Run Lake, that runs to Echo Lake and Frantz Pond. It's in part of what was the Erie Miami Canal System. My mom's house is less than half a mile away. I used to turtle hunt those lakes and canals a lot.

Sugar Loaf is full of holes, caves and tunnels, some of which you can fit in. I was probably around 10 when my uncle Craig paddled us over to it in jon boat. It's not big, but it has different levels and passages. It's probably weather worn sandstone and dirt.

It's strange enough that there's lots of old post cards of it.






I couldn't find any newer pictures of it. I haven't been on it for close to 30 years. I've heard it's collapsed some. You used to be able to crawl or scoot through downward curving holes. Some were dark, but most led in and out of it. Some of the holes continued underwater.

There's 2 huge old stone and concrete spill ways near it and 2 functional canal locks. It's a few tenths of a mile from the Johnston Farm and Indian Agency historical site. My uncle Craig used to captain the paddle boat there and my friend Scott was a guide. They used to have a huge mule skinner, mountain men, rendezvous there that could last over a month.

Anyone been there?

Keith

Not me but it sounds like a cool place.

I lived in Piqua as a kid. 2nd grade through the 6th grade. Don't recall ever hearing about it but I was a kid so who knows.