Explore Mageik Lakes, Katmai National Park, Alaska

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When explorers first entered the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, they found the toe of two glaciers occupying the basin where two beautiful, but distinct lakes sit today. Surrounded by cascading waterfalls, a muddy, silt-laden lake can be found where the Buttress Range meets the slopes of Mount Mageik and Mount Martin. Closer to Katmai Pass, a turquoise colored lake can be found. The Valley is covered with mineral deposits that mark the location of extinct fumaroles. Black staining around these spots typically reflect magnetite or hematite. White zones may be enriched in silica and clay minerals. Orange to yellow staining indicates minerals such as limonite, geothite, or sulfur.

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