The Lake in Legend
Posted by: 
Volcanoguy
N 42° 56.925 W 122° 02.943
10T E 577575 N 4755562
Quick Description: History sign at Skell Head about “The Lake in Legend”.
Location: Oregon, United States
Date Posted: 11/9/2009 8:31:32 PM
Waymark Code: WM7MKT
Views: 0
Long Description:
Marker Name: The Lake in Legend
Marker Text: Explorer John Wesley Hillman first saw Crater
Lake in 1853, but Indians had known of it long before recorded
history. According to Hillman, the lake was sacred to the Indians,
who refused to acknowledge its existence to outsiders. Gazing upon
the waters was thought to be fatal.
Klamath Indian legends touch on the supernatural origins of Crater
Lake, and the experiences of early visitors. One story tells of an
Indian who journeyed into the fearful depths of the crater when it
was still dry. On the crater floor he saw fissures, mounds, huge
gnarled rocks, and a strange yellow substance that resembled
gold.
Best known, perhaps, are the legends describing the war between
Llao, chief spirit of Crater Lake, and Skell, a mighty spirit of
the Klamath Marsh country to the south, These legendary characters
are immortalized at Llao Rock, the massive gray lava flow across
the lake, and at Skell Head, the headland you are standing
on.
War between Llao and Skell.
Long, long ago two powerful spirits lived in the Crater Lake
country, Llao (pronounced “LAH-oh”) and Skell. The spirit followers
of Llao and Skell took the form of animals such as Deer, Fox, and
Dove who often played together on top of Llao Rock. But eventually,
the groups began to quarrel, and war broke out.
The forces of Llao and Skell fought many battles. Skell was killed
near the base of the mountain, and Llao’s followers carried the
heart up to Llao Rock for a celebration. However, Skell’s clever
followers stole the heart and restored it to the body, bringing
Skell back to life.
During the last great battle, Llao was killed. Skell ordered that
the body be cut up and thrown into the lake to be devoured by
Crawfish and other monsters. The water creatures were loyal to
Llao, but Skell tricked them by shouting, “Here are Skell’s arms,”
as he tossed Llao’s arms into the water. Immediately the creatures
gobbled them up. In the same manner Llao’s legs were devoured. But
when Skell flung Llao’s head into the lake, the water creatures
recognized their master’s face and would not touch it. You can
still see Llao’s head, known today as “Wizard Island.” And his
spirit still lives with Llao Rock. Sometimes when all seems quiet,
Llao’s restless spirit enters the lake and stirs up an angry
gale.
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