"Winter Panoramic" by National Park Service , public domain
![]() | Visitor GuideWinter/Spring 2019/2020 |
Winter/Spring Visitor Guide to Crater Lake National Park (NP) in Oregon. Published by the National Park Service (NPS).
featured in
![]() | National Parks Pocket Maps | ![]() |
![]() | Oregon Pocket Maps | ![]() |
covered parks
Crater Lake
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Refections Visitor Guide
Winter/Spring 2019-2020
Rotary plow
at Rim Village
One Lake, Many Moods
Crater Lake is unpredictable. No matter how
many times you’ve seen it before, you can
never be sure exactly what to expect on your
next visit to the rim. The lake’s appearance
is ever-changing and often surprising. This
is especially true in the winter—perhaps the
best time of year to witness Crater Lake at its
most wild and beautiful.
Keeping the Park
Open is “Snow”
Easy Task
What were you doing at 4:00 am this
morning? If you were a member of the
Crater Lake roads crew, you might have
been reporting for duty!
Trying to keep Highway 62 and the road
to Rim Village open year-round is no easy
task. Each day, the park’s heavy equipment
operators work from 4:00 am to 8:00 pm,
in two different shifts, clearing snow and
sanding roads. During heavy storms, snow
removal can become a 24-hour operation,
with crews working 12 hours at a time.
“It can be a hazardous job,” reports one
operator, “especially when it’s dark and
white-out conditions are occurring. On a
winding mountain road, you never know
what’s around the next corner. It could be
a tree across the road at windshield level,
a car stuck in the snow, or an avalanche.”
The lake’s character depends partly on the
wind. On many winter days, strong winds
whip across the water. The strongest gusts
materialize as whitecaps and can be seen
marching, like angry armies, across the width
of the lake. Calm days in the winter are few
and far between, but, when they occur, the
scene is entirely diferent. The lake becomes
a mirror and refects the sky in perfect
symmetry; the air is so quiet you can hear a
pine needle drop.
The lake’s appearance (and frequent
disappearance) also depends on cloud cover.
Nearly 50% of the time in the winter and
early spring, storms completely hide the lake
from view. While disappointing for visitors
who have driven hours to get here, it’s during
these periods of rain and snow that the lake
is replenished. Crater Lake wouldn’t be
America’s deepest lake without such wet
winters, which dump an average of 43 feet
(13 meters) of snow at Park Headquarters.
The lake rests inside a caldera formed
7,700 years ago when a 12,000-foot-tall
(3,600-meter) volcano collapsed following
a major eruption. The eruption may have
been the largest in North America in the past
640,000 years. Later eruptions formed Wizard
Island, a cinder cone near the southwest shore.
With so many variables (and we haven’t
even mentioned the color of the water,
which can vary from bright blue to slate
gray, with hues of red, orange, and purple
at sunrise and sunset), Crater Lake is never
the same lake twice. And thank goodness! Its
unpredictability is one of its fnest attributes,
one that makes visiting (and re-visiting) the
park such a delightful and rewarding activity.
The park is central to the cultural traditions of
local American Indian tribes, whose ancestors
witnessed the lake’s formation.
Today, old-growth forests blanket the volcano’s
outer slopes, harboring more than 700 native
plant species and a wide variety of animals,
including several that are rare or endangered.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Park established: 1902
Size: 183,000 acres (74,060 hectares)
Annual visitation: 700,000 people
Lake depth: 1,943 feet (592 meters)
Lake width: 4.5 to 6 miles (7 to 10 km)
Lake volume: 5 trillion gallons (19 tr. liters)
Last time the lake froze over: 1949
Snowshoe with a
Park Ranger
Ranger-led snowshoe walks are a fun way
to experience the winter wonderland of
Crater Lake National Park. This winter, if
staffng and snow conditions allow, they
will take place on Saturdays, Sundays, and
holidays from November 23 through April
26. Walks will also likely be offered daily
from December 21 through January 5
(except on Christmas Day) and from March
20 through March 29. Snowshoes are
provided free of charge and no previous
snowshoeing experience is necessary.
The walks start at 1:00 pm, last 2 hours,
and cover 1 to 2 miles (1.6–3.2 km) of hilly
terrain. The route is up to the ranger, but
most walks begin at Rim Village and explore
the forests and meadows along the rim of
the caldera. Along the way, participants
discover how winter affects Crater Lake
and the park’s plants and animals.
Space on each tour is limited, and advance
reservations are recommended. You can
sign up at the Steel Visitor Center or by
calling 541-594-3100. Participants must
be at least 8 years old, healthy enough for
a moderate-to-strenuous hike, and have
warm clothing and water-resistant footwear.
Rangers use a giant
“ruler” to measure
snow depth at Park
Headquarters. They’ve
measured snow depth
and snowfall at this
location since 1931.
Most years, as in this
photo, the mid-winter
snowpack exceeds 10
feet (3 meters) deep,
but last winter, it never
touched the 4-foot
(1.2-meter) mark.
The amount of snow moved each winter
by the park’s roads crew is astounding.
(continued on back page)
Crater Lake National Park protects the deepest
lake in the United States. Fed by rain and snow
(but no rivers or streams), the lake is considered
to be the cleanest and clearest large body of
water in the world.
Sometimes, too, Crater Lake is masked by ice.
It forms along the shore during cold snaps.
Seeing the lake entirely frozen over, however,
is a once-in-a-lifetime experience (the lake’s
tremendous depth makes its surface freezeresistant). In 1949, the last time the lake
became ice-bound, it froze for 2½ months
and a thick layer of snow accumulated on top.
Typically, though, seeing bergs of snow and
ice in the water is simply an indication that an
avalanche has recently occurred on the inner
walls of the caldera.
The surface of Crater Lake
rarely freezes. During cold
snaps, however, fngers of ice
sometimes probe from the
shore out over the abyss.
Snow plows were frst used at Crater Lake
in 1930. Prior to that, crews used shovels
and dynamite to clear the roads each
spring. Today, the park employs 6 operators
and 2 mechanics who use both push plows
and rotary plows. The rotary plows are
equipped with a fan that can shoot snow
75 to 80 feet (24 meters) into the air. To
control where the snow lands, the operator
can vary the angle and volume of output.
Park Profle
Clouds also create scenes of stunning drama.
When storms end, the lake’s features slowly
reveal themselves to fortunate onlookers.
And once every few years, some lucky visitors
reach the rim to fnd a “smoking cauldron”—
the crater flled with fog, under a blue sky (see
photo on back page). This occurs when cold,
moist air becomes trapped in the caldera
during a temperature inversion.
Scout troops, hiking clubs, and other
organized groups of 10 or more people
may be able to arrange for their own
ranger-led walk (staff permitting). Group
walks are available on weekdays as well as
on weekends.
Watch the Park Film
Curious to learn more about Crater Lake?
Stop by the Steel Visitor Center to watch the
park’s 22-minute introductory flm, shown every
half hour. It explores the park’s signifcance
and the wonder that Crater Lake has inspired
for generations. The flm, entitled Crater Lake:
Into the Deep, includes dramatic underwater
footage along with state-of-the-art animation
that depicts the lake’s violent, volcanic past.
Regional Map
National Park Service
U.S. Dept. of the Interior
Winter Recr
Bend
Eugene
NATIO NAL
F O RES TS
Crater Lake
Snowmobile
Route
20
58
97
Crater Lake Visitor Guide
Winter/Spring 2019-2020
7025ft
2142m
Chemult
Winter Closures
Many park facilities are closed in the
winter and early spring. Here are some
projected operating dates for 2020:
Wildlife
Do not feed wildlife,
including birds and
squirrels. Exposing them
to our food alters their
behavior, is bad for
their health, and can
be dangerous for you.
Approaching, touching,
feeding, and disturbing
wildlife are prohibited.
May 15–Oct. 11
May 22–Sept. 27
May 22–Sept. 27
May 22–Sept. 27
May 22–Oct. 12
May 22–Sept. 27
June 12–Sept. 27
June 26–Sept. 13
June 26–Sept. 30
June 26–Oct. 31
July 1–Oct. 12
Steel Visitor Center
Facilities
Restrooms
There is a 24-hour restroom at
Rim Village. Restrooms can also
be found inside the Steel Visitor
Center and Rim Village Gift Shop
during business hours.
Rim Café &
Gift Shop
The café & gift shop is open
daily except on November 28,
December 25, and on days when
the road to Rim Village is closed
due to snow. Hours of operation:
Nov. 4–March 12 10 am–4 pm
March 13–May 14 10 am–5 pm
10 am–6 pm
May 15–June 4
Stay back from the edge of
the crater! Unstable ledges of
snow, called cornices, extend
beyond the rim.
Crater Lake Lodge
Mazama Village Cabins
Annie Creek Restaurant
Mazama Village Store
Mazama Gas Station
Rim Visitor Center
Mazama Campground
Boat Tours
Trolley Tours
Sinnott Overlook
Lost Creek Campground
The café serves quick meals
including hot sandwiches, chili,
and soup. Beverages include hot
chocolate, cofee, juice, and soft
drinks. The large gift shop ofers
a wide selection of souvenirs,
as well as winter clothing and
snowshoe rentals (see next page).
An observation room on the top
foor of the café provides partial
views of Crater Lake (weather
permitting). It also features a
few exhibits and an information
desk stafed by volunteers most
weekends.
Steel Visitor
Center
The Steel Visitor Center at Park
Headquarters is open every day
of the year except December 25.
Winter hours are 10:00 am–4:00
pm, becoming 9:00 am–5:00 pm
in mid-April.
Rangers are available to answer
questions, provide weather
forecasts, recommend trails,
and help plan your park visit.
Postcards, maps, books, and
other educational materials are
available for sale (see back page).
Kids ages 6 through 12 can earn
an ofcial Junior Ranger badge by
completing a free activity book.
A 22-minute flm, Into the Deep, is
shown every half hour. The flm
explores the park’s signifcance
and the lake’s volcanic past.
l
West Rim Drive
Pacific
Crest
Trail
Raven Trail
Dutton Creek Trail
Ca s t l e
Cr e ek
Garfield
Peak
Park
Headquarters
C a st le
Cr e ek
8054ft
2455m
Steel Visitor Center
6450ft
1966m
62
Annie Spring
Spur Trail
East Rim
Drive
Cr
to
Medford
and
5
Summit
of First
Climb
62
to Klamath
Falls and
97
Ea s t
Pacific
Crest
Trail
F or k
Mazama Loop
k
Highway 62 is plowed daily and
open year-round, as is the 4-mile
road from Highway 62 to Park
Headquarters. The 3-mile road
from Park Headquarters to Rim
Even when plowed, park roads
can be snow-packed and icy.
Drive slowly, be alert for plows,
and come prepared with tires
that have good traction. Carrying
chains is advisable during snow
storms. Before visiting, check the
weather forecast. For your safety,
do not stop or park in the roadway.
Parking is allowed only in plowed
pullouts and parking lots.
Rim Village
s on
The North Entrance Road and
Rim Drive are closed to cars in the
winter. They close for the season
on November 1 (or earlier if there
is signifcant snowfall). Crews
begin removing snow from these
roads in April, but opening dates
vary. The North Entrance Road
and West Rim Drive tend to open
in early June. The East Rim Drive
typically opens in early July.
Village is also kept open as much
as possible (typically about 80%
of the time in the winter), but it’s
sometimes closed for days or weeks
at a time during periods of heavy
snow. When the road is open and
weather permits, Rim Village ofers
spectacular views of Crater Lake.
For current road and weather
conditions, call 541-594-3100.
Discovery
Point
Rim Café & Gift Shop
7100ft
Hemlock Loop
2165m
Roads & Travel
The park is open year-round, 24
hours a day. Some roads, trails,
and facilities, however, are closed
seasonally due to snow.
-1548ft
-472m
ee
Lodging & Camping
There are no lodges or
campgrounds open in
the park in the winter.
Overnight camping in
pullouts and parking lots
is prohibited. Overnight
backpacking is allowed,
with a permit (see info
at right). Ask at the
Recycling
Aluminum cans and plastic bottles are accepted
at the Rim Village Café.
Wizard
Island
Overlook
Klamath Falls
Ashland
Phones
Cell phone reception in
the park is unreliable.
You may have luck at
Rim Village. There is a
24-hour emergency landline outside the “snow
tunnel” entrance to the
administration building
at Park Headquarters.
Post Offce
A U.S. Post Offce is
open Monday through
Saturday in the visitor
center. Winter hours are
10:00 am–2:00 pm.
Lightning
Springs Trail
Elevation
6173ft
1882m
6940ft
2116m
Cr
Gasoline
Gasoline is not available
in the park in the winter.
Gas is available in the
nearby communities
of Chiloquin, Prospect,
and Diamond Lake.
Charging stations for
electric vehicles may be
available; inquire at the
visitor center.
97
Medford
199
NATI O N A L
F O RE S T S
Union Peak Overlook
Crat
Wizard
Island
e
ni
Entrance Fee
In the winter (November
1 through May 21), the
park’s entrance fee is
$15 per car, good for
7 days. You can pay by
cash or credit card. Your
fees are put to work
improving services and
facilities. Thank you for
supporting your national
parks!
Pets
Pets on a leash (or
otherwise physically
restrained) are allowed
in the park, provided
they stay within 50 feet
(15 meters) of plowed
roads and parking lots.
Dogs on a leash are also
allowed on the Pacifc
Crest Ski Trail, but not on
other trails, or off-trail.
Pets are not allowed
in park buildings. Solid
waste must be picked
up immediately and
disposed of properly, in
a trash can or toilet.
62
8013ft
2442m
An
Emergencies
Dial 911 to report any
emergency, 24 hours
a day. An emergency
phone is located outside the “snow tunnel”
entrance to the administration building at Park
Headquarters. First aid
is available at the Steel
Visitor Center or nearby
Ranger Station.
Park Features
Leave rocks, plants,
animals, and artifacts
undisturbed for others to
enjoy. It is prohibited to
collect, deface, disturb,
or destroy natural or
cultural features.
234
Chiloquin
Watchman Peak
un
Drones
The operation of remotecontrolled aircraft in the
park is prohibited. Please
report violators to the
nearest park employee.
Lost & Found
Report lost & found
items to the Steel Visitor
Center or call the park’s
lost & found offce at
541-594-3060.
Grants
Pass
Fort
Klamath
-1788ft
-545m
M
Drinking Water
There is a drinking
fountain and bottleflling station inside the
Steel Visitor Center.
visitor center for a list
of accommodations
outside the park.
62
Watchman Overlook
North Entrance Road
& Rim Drive are
CLOSED in winter
to automobiles
62
Prospect
Devils
Backbone
ne
230
Diamond Lake
Overlook
Crater Lake
National Park
138
ll C
han
Roseburg
Ske
Diamond Lake
G o o d b ye C r
Accessibility
The Steel Visitor Center
and Rim Village Café &
Gift Shop are accessible
to people with mobility
impairments. Weather
permitting, partial views
of Crater Lake can be
enjoyed from the top
foor of the gift shop,
accessible via elevator.
Llao Bay
138
Union Creek
Phone: 541-594-3000
Website: www.nps.gov/crla
Email: craterlake@nps.gov
8049ft
2453m
North Junction
5
This is the offcial trip-planner and newspaper
of Crater Lake National Park. It is published
twice a year and funded by the Crater Lake
Natural History Association through sales
made in the visitor center bookstore.
Park Mailing Address:
Crater Lake National Park
PO Box 7
Crater Lake, OR 97604
Steel
Bay
Llao Rock
Activities
Lake Viewing
When skies are clear, excellent
views of Crater Lake can be
enjoyed at Rim Village. During
storms, however, the lake is
typically obscured by clouds.
The lake is completely “invisible”
about 50% of the time in the
winter and early spring! To avoid
disappointment, check the
weather forecast before you leave
home. To check visibility at Rim
Village, visit the park’s website
(www.nps.gov/crla) to view a
webcam pointed toward the lake.
A partial view of Crater Lake
can usually be obtained from
an observation room on the top
foor of the Rim Café & Gift
Shop. The observation room is
accessible via elevator. For a better
view of the lake (and when deep
snow blocks the view from the
observation room), you’ll need
to climb up a snowbank and take
20 to 30 steps across the snow. A
“snow ramp” across from the Rim
Village restroom building provides
the easiest access to the top of
the snow, which can be 10 to 15
feet (3 to 4.6 meters) deep. Be
careful—the snow ramp can be icy
and slippery, and dangerous snow
cornices overhanging the rim of
the crater may be difcult to spot.
Stay back from the edge!
Snowmobiling
In the winter, the park’s North
Entrance Road is groomed for
snowmobiles, which may travel
as far as the rim of Crater Lake.
Snowmobiles must stay on the
groomed and marked route; they
are not allowed on the Rim Drive,
and of-route travel is prohibited.
The snowmobile route is open as
conditions permit, typically from
December through March.
Diamond Lake Resort, 5 miles (8
km) north of the park, has snowmobiles available for rent. Renting
a 1- or 2-person snowmobile costs
$175 for 2 hours, $225 for 3 hours,
$275 for 4 hours, or $425 for
8 hours, plus the cost of fuel.
Signifcant discounts may be available for overnight guests. For more
information, call 541-793-3333 or
visit www.diamondlake.net.
Backcountry
Camping
Backpacking is allowed in the park
year-round. Winter ofers wellprepared skiers and snowshoers
opportunities to experience
occasions of unique beauty and
solitude. All campers must obtain
a free backcountry permit, in
person, from the Ranger Station
at Park Headquarters. The Ranger
Station is located 100 yards (90
meters) south of the Steel Visitor
Center and is open every day from
8:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Vehicles must be left overnight
at Park Headquarters (not at
Rim Village). The most popular
overnight trip is up the Raven
Trail, out-and-back along the West
Rim Drive, then back down the
Raven Trail. The most popular
extended trip is the 31-mile (50km) circuit around Crater Lake
(see box, top right). Snow camping
is required; there are no public
huts or shelters. Camps must be
at least 1 mile (1.6 km) from the
nearest plowed road, out of sight
of any ski trail or route, and at least
100 feet (30 meters) back from
the edge of the caldera. For tripplanning advice and a complete list
of regulations, stop by the Ranger
Station or call 541-594-3060.
reation Map
Rim Village
o
C o od
ve
North
tw
East Rim
Drive
Cl
ee
West
Rim
Drive
Crater
Lake
Rim Café
& Gift Shop
Restrooms
Lake
Viewing
B
Rim Visitor Center
(closed in winter)
sta
yb
ack
Merriam Cone
-486ft
-148m
BL
U
FF
S
in winter)
O
T
Dutton
Creek
Trail
Cloudcap
62
(highest point in park)
8929ft
2721m
AN
Dutton Cliffs
Avalanche Bypass
DE
RS
ON
BLU
FFS
Sa
nd
Cre
Applegate
Avalanche
Bypass
ek
Pinnacles Road
Avalanche Bypass
Vidae
Falls
Ski Trails
Crater Lake National Park features many
miles of marked ski trails and unmarked
routes. The most popular are described
here. The trails are not groomed and some
may be hard to follow; ask at the Steel
Visitor Center for more information.
EASIER TRAILS
Mazama Loop
Vidae
Ridge
Avalanche
Bypass
Grayback Drive
Avalanche Bypass
0
S
Crater
Peak
Trail
Cre
ek
1
2
3 Kilometers
1
0
2
Avalanche Zone
Crater Peak
7263ft
2214m
Pedestrian Access
Road
Each winter, approximately 100 skiers and 75
snowshoers travel all the way around Crater
Lake. It’s a trip that can be exceptionally
rewarding, with unforgettable views. It can
also be physically and mentally demanding—
a test of endurance and outdoor skills.
When the weather is clear and snow
conditions are good, the 31-mile (50-km)
loop takes an average of 3 days to complete.
Storms, however, force many parties to
turn back or spend extra nights. The route
is unmarked, hard to follow in places, and
crossed by several avalanche paths. Those
attempting the trip should be experienced in
winter camping, off-trail travel, and avalanche
safety. A backcountry permit is required.
Although the loop can typically be done any
time between late November and early May,
the most popular months are March and
April. Spring provides more hours of daylight
than the winter months and longer periods
of clear weather.
Mount Scott
Phantom Ship
Overlook
Sun Notch
Raven
Trail
Ski Trail or Route
to Park
Headquarters
and
Danger
Bay
Phantom
Ship
Hemlock
Loop
8065ft
2458m
Pumice Castle
Overlook
un
Lake
Viewing
T
SC
8126ft
2477m
ge
Crater Lake
Lodge (closed
at lake level:
Applegate
Peak
ed
Grotto
Cove
Deepest point
below lake surface
-1943ft
-592m
ter Lake
fr o
m
Circling the Lake
3 Miles
Ski Trail or Route
Snowmobile Route
Off-Route Option
Road Open to Cars
Avalanche Bypass
Trail or Route
Road Open Except During Periods of Heavy Snow
Skiing
The park features a variety of
marked trails and unmarked
routes for cross-country skiing
(see list on right). The trails are not
groomed, so skiers will often need
to break trail, sometimes through
deep snow. Conditions vary
greatly, from powder to slush to
ice. Ask at the Steel Visitor Center
for trail recommendations.
Skiing is prohibited on Highway
62, the road to Rim Village, and
in parking lots. Skiing inside the
caldera is also strictly prohibited.
The park does not rent skis. Ask at
the Steel Visitor Center for a list of
rental locations outside the park.
Sledding
There are no designated sled
hills or snow-play areas in the
park, but many opportunities for
sledding can be found. For your
safety, sledding, innertubing,
and tobogganing are prohibited
on Highway 62, the road to Rim
Village, and in parking lots. Please
select areas that have gentle
slopes, are away from trees and
other obstructions, and provide a
safe, fat runout area. Several such
locations exist near Rim Village; a
popular spot is the open meadow
south of Crater Lake Lodge.
Snowboarding
Snowboarding is allowed in the
park, but extreme caution should
be used. Snowboarders should
be experienced in avalanche
safety and winter backcountry
travel. Snowboarding inside the
caldera is strictly prohibited.
Snowboarding is also prohibited
on roads and parking lots that are
open to automobile trafc.
Snowshoeing
Crater Lake National Park is a
snowshoer’s paradise. To avoid
getting lost, frst-time visitors are
advised to follow one of the park’s
ski trails. As a courtesy to skiers,
please refrain from walking on ski
tracks. Snowshoeing is prohibited
inside the caldera, on Highway 62,
and on the road to Rim Village.
Snowshoe rentals are available at
the Rim Village Gift Shop (unless
the road to Rim Village is closed).
Adult snowshoes cost $16 per day,
kids snowshoes are $12.50 per
day, and hiking poles are $4 per
day. Overnight rentals are allowed;
the rental price is good for a 24hour period. Renting snowshoes
is not necessary for the park’s
ranger-guided walks (see page 1),
for which snowshoes are provided
free of charge.
Distance: 1.7 mi. (2.7 km) loop trail
Recommended for beginning skiers, this
fat trail loops through Mazama Campground and provides views into Annie
Creek Canyon. It is marked with blue
diamonds attached to the trees and, from
December through March, orange snow
poles in the clearings. Trailhead: 4 mi. (6.4
km) south of Park Headquarters, just north
of the summer fee booth and Highway 62.
West Rim Drive
This is the park’s most popular ski route,
providing spectacular views of Crater Lake
and Wizard Island. It follows the West Rim
Drive, which is unplowed from November
to mid-April. The route is not marked, but
the path of the underlying road is generally
apparent. The route features gently
rolling terrain and is suitable for skiers of
all abilities, as long as snow conditions
are good. When icy, the route can be
treacherous, especially just west of Rim
Village. It can also be windy and exposed,
but occasional forested areas provide some
protection. Trips of varying lengths are
possible. Most skiers attempt to reach one
of the following destinations before turning
back to Rim Village. Trailhead: Snow ramp
across from the Rim Village restrooms.
Discovery Point
Distance from Rim Village: 1.2 mi. (1.9 km)
Discovery Point is a popular summer pullout on the West Rim Drive. The overlook
offers a fne view of Wizard Island and
marks the spot where gold prospector
John Hillman frst set eyes on Crater Lake
in 1853. The overlook is not signed but is
fairly obvious as a broad, level viewpoint.
Wizard Island Overlook
Distance from Rim Village: 2.3 mi. (3.7 km)
This small, unmarked viewpoint provides an
even better bird’s-eye view of Wizard Island.
The island is a cinder cone that erupted out
of Crater Lake around 7,300 years ago.
Union Peak Overlook
Distance from Rim Village: 3.1 mi. (5.0 km)
The next road segment is a steady climb,
gaining 240 feet (73 meters) in elevation.
On a clear day, the ascent is worth the
effort: just before the road curves sharply
to the right, a small, unmarked viewpoint
on the left offers long-distance views of
the Cascade Mountains. Union Peak, the
core of an old volcano, stands 8 miles
(13 km) to the south. To the left of Union
Peak is Mt. McLoughlin, 35 miles (56 km)
away. The views often extend as far as Mt.
Shasta, 100 miles (161 km) distant.
Beyond Union Peak Overlook
Distances from Rim Village–
Watchman Overlook: 3.9 mi. (6.3 km)
Diamond Lake Overlook: 4.6 mi. (7.4 km)
North Junction: 6.0 mi. (9.7 km)
Exploring further requires caution. Just beyond Union Peak Overlook, the road is cut
into a vertical cliff. When this roadcut flls
with snow, it may be advisable to leave the
road and bypass the cliff higher up on the
slope. Next, the road traverses the north
face of Watchman Peak, an avalancheprone slope that is sometimes dangerously
icy. Do not hesitate to remove your skis
or turn back if conditions warrant. If you
continue, possible destinations include
Watchman Overlook, Diamond Lake Overlook, and North Junction. Another option,
popular with snowshoers, is to attain the
summit of Watchman Peak via its western
ridge. Atop the peak is a fre lookout, built
in 1932 and still used each summer.
INTERMEDIATE TRAILS
Hemlock Loop
Distance: 1.3 mi. (2.1 km) loop trail
This enjoyable loop trail offers a lot of
variety. It explores a forest of mountain
hemlock trees punctuated by meadows
that provide distant views to the south
and east. It can be skied in either direction,
but traveling counterclockwise provides
more interesting downhill slopes and
turns. In this direction, the trail begins by
climbing 45 feet (14 meters) to its high
point. It then drops 200 feet (61 meters)
in elevation before gaining 155 feet (47
meters) on its return to Rim Village. The
trail is marked with blue diamonds in the
trees and, from December through March,
orange snow poles in the meadows.
Trailhead: Snow ramp across from the
entrance to the Rim Village Café & Gift
Shop. The trail can also be accessed from
a snow ramp near Crater Lake Lodge and
a roadside pullout approximately 1.5 mi.
(2.4 km) south of Rim Village.
East Rim Drive
The East Rim Drive is a good alternative
to the West Rim Drive on windy days. The
forested route provides protection from the
elements and, upon reaching Sun Notch,
a spectacular view of Crater Lake and the
Phantom Ship. The route is not marked,
but skiers should have no trouble following
the path of the underlying road, which is
unplowed from November to mid-June.
The route is rated “intermediate” because
it features longer and steeper climbs than
the West Rim Drive and crosses several
areas prone to avalanche. Trips of varying
lengths are possible. Most skiers attempt
to reach one of the following destinations
before returning. Trailhead: Roadside
pullout 150 yards (137 meters) south of
Park Headquarters.
avalanche zone. (A detailed map of the
Applegate Avalanche Bypass Route is
available at the Steel Visitor Center.) Sun
Notch itself lies .25 miles (.4 km) north
of the East Rim Drive. To fnd it, leave the
road at the apex of the sweeping righthand curve; the turnoff is not marked. The
view from Sun Notch is dramatic. Nearly
1,000 feet (305 meters) above the water,
it directly overlooks a rocky island known
as the Phantom Ship. Stay back from the
edge of the caldera and its dangerous,
overhanging snow cornices.
Garfeld-Applegate Ridge
Distance from trailhead: 3.2 mi. (5.1 km)
Another lake-viewing option for snowshoers and advanced skiers is to attain
the caldera’s rim between Garfeld Peak
and Applegate Peak. This is an unmarked
but straightforward ascent through open
meadows and groves of trees. Leave the
East Rim Drive near the summit of the frst
climb. The rim is 1.4 miles (2.3 km) due
north, with an additional elevation gain of
950 feet (290 meters).
ADVANCED TRAILS
Raven Trail
Distance: 1 mi. (1.6 km)
The Raven Trail is a favorite of park rangers
after work. It descends steeply from Rim
Village to Park Headquarters, dropping
610 feet (186 meters) in elevation. It is
typically skied one-way, downhill, which
requires two vehicles or a shuttle to the top.
Unless there’s fresh snow, the trail can be
dangerously fast, but it fattens out halfway
to Park Headquarters, where it crosses the
base of a large avalanche chute then runs
parallel to the road. During times of heavy
snow, when the road to Rim Village is
closed, the trail is also used by snowshoers
who hike up it to view the lake. The trail is
marked with blue diamonds except along
the rim of the lake. Upper Trailhead: Snow
ramp near Crater Lake Lodge. Ski east
along the rim, looking for blue diamonds at
the head of a steep valley. Lower Trailhead:
Roadside pullout 150 yards (137 meters)
south of Park Headquarters.
Summit of First Climb
Distance from trailhead: 1.8 mi. (2.9 km)
The road dips gently for the frst half mile
(.8 km), losing 70 feet (21 meters) of elevation while passing the park’s employee
housing area. Then begins a steady climb,
which in 1.3 miles (2.1 km) gains 420 feet
(128 meters). The climb is popular with
skiers looking for a short, invigorating workout. Views from the summit are limited,
but on the return trip Crater Lake Lodge is
visible on the skyline straight ahead.
Vidae Falls
Distance from trailhead: 3.1 mi. (5.0 km)
Vidae Falls is a spring-fed cascade that
drops 100 feet (30 meters) over a series
of ledges on the west side of the road.
In the winter, there’s usually not much to
see: the falls slow to a trickle and become
mostly buried under snow. From the summit of the frst climb, the road descends
gradually to Vidae Falls, losing 190 feet
(58 meters) of elevation. Along the way, it
traverses a potential avalanche area, which,
if conditions warrant, can be avoided by
taking the marked Vidae Ridge Avalanche
Bypass Trail. (A detailed map of the bypass
trail is available at the Steel Visitor Center.)
Sun Notch
Distance from trailhead: 4.5 mi. (7.2 km)
To view Crater Lake, skiers must continue
on to Sun Notch, gaining an additional
505 feet (154 meters) of elevation. Skiers
must also cross—or bypass—a second
Dutton Creek Trail
Distance: 4.6 mi. (7.4 km)
This trail is little-used but offers a fun
and challenging backcountry experience.
It is typically skied from north to south
and therefore requires two vehicles or a
shuttle. The top section, in places, is steep.
It descends through a forest of mountain
hemlock and red fr, dropping 1,000 feet
(305 meters) in 2.5 miles (4 km) to meet
the Pacifc Crest Trail. The trail then climbs
250 feet (76 meters) to a junction. The left
fork descends to Mazama Village; the right
fork continues along the PCT to a trailhead
on Highway 62. The trail is marked with
blue diamonds and some older orange
and red blazes, but skiers should carry a
topographic map and a compass or GPS.
Trailhead: Snow ramp across from the Rim
Village restrooms. Ski west, just past Rim
Village, and look for the trailhead sign on
the south side of West Rim Drive.
Support Your Park—
Volunteer
Ski Patrollers
Shop in the Visitor
Center Bookstore
Volunteer Your Time
Looking for a hand