National Park Service Crater Lake U.S. Department of the Interior

Crater Lake National Park

Winter Trails

Routes and Trails For Few people visit the Cascade Mountains in the winter, but for those who do, Snowshoes and Cross- Crater Lake National Park features many miles of marked ski trails and Country Skis unmarked routes. Some provide stunning views of the lake while others include broad vistas of the Klamath Basin. All trails are ungroomed and some may be hard to follow. Pay close attention to markers affixed to trees and orange poles in the open stretches. Things to Know Before In the winter, weather can make viewing the lake available at the Steel Visitor Center by Park You Go impossible for almost 50% of the time. Access to Headquarters. the park and Rim Village area is only through Entering the caldera is extremely dangerous and Highway 62 and Munson Valley Road (7 mile illegal, due to the cliffs and rockslides. Skiing and road from Hwy 62 to Rim). Camping is only snowboarding are prohibited on roads and allowed in the backcountry during the winter. A parking areas open to automobile traffic. As a free permit is required and camps can be no courtesy to skiers, snowshoers should refrain closer to a plowed road than 1 mile. Permits are from walking on ski tracks. Mazama Loop viewpoint overlooking Wizard Island. Wizard Easier Trails Trailhead: Just north of Hwy 62 and fee Island Overlook is a small viepoint providing a booth, 4 miles south of HQ closer look at the island. The road climbs 240 feet Markings: Blue diamonds on trees and to Union Peak Overlook for views of other orange poles in clearings Cascade volcanoes. North Junction is past Distance: 1.7 miles Watchman and Hillman peaks where North Features: Good trail for beginning skiers. Entrane Road comes in (groomed snowmobile Flat trail loops along Annie Creek Canyon. route). West Rim Drive Beyond the Union Peak Overlook, the road Trailhead: Snowramp across from Rim traverses a steep cliff face on the north side of Village Restrooms. Watchman. This area has steep dropoffs and Markings: None, unplowed road avalanche-prone slopes. Do not hesitate to Distance: 1.2 miles to Discovery Point, 2.3 remove your skis or turn back if conditions miles to Wizard Island Overlook, 3.1 miles to warrant. Union Peak Overlook, 6 miles to North Junction Features: Most popular trail for views of Crater Lak e. Discovery Point is a broad level Hemlock Loop Climb, 3.1 miles to Vidae Falls, 4.5 miles to Sun Intermediate Trails Trailhead: Snowramp across from Rim Notch Village Café, snowramp near closed Crater Lake Features: First Climb is attained by Lodge and snowramp 1.5 miles south of Rim ascending 436 feet through forest and creeks.

Markings: Blue diamonds on trees and From that summit, the road descends towards orange poles in clearings Vidae Falls, crossing potential avalanche areas. A

Distance: 1.3 miles bypass is available (see Avalanche Bypass Features: Mountain Hemlock forest handout). Further up the valley, climbing 505 punctuated with mountain and lake views. feet, the road crosses another avalanche zone

East Rim Drive (bypass available). Skiers then leave the road for Trailhead: Pullout 150 yards south of the final0.25 miles to Sun Notch. The view of the Headquarters lake is dramatic but stay well back from the

Markings: None, unplowed road caldera edge and its dangerous snow cornices. Distance: 1.8 miles to summit of First

Raven Trail Features: From Rim Village, the trail drops Advanced Trails Trailhead: Snowramps near Crater Lake 1,000 feet in 2.5 miles through woods to the Pacific Lodge and pullout 150 yards south of Park Crest Trail. Following the PCT south, the trail Headquarters climbs 250 feet to a junction. Left follows the spur

Markings: Blue diamonds towards Mazama Village and right takes the PCT to Distance: 1 mile Hwy 62.

Lightning Springs Features: Drops 610 feet from Rim Village through potential avalanche area to East Rim Drive Trailhead: West Rim Drive, 2 miles from Rim pullout. Village

Dutton Creek Trail Markings: Blue diamonds Trailhead: Sign just south of West Rim Drive. Distance: 4 miles to PCT, 9.6 miles to Markings: Blue diamonds, orange and red Dutton Creek Trail.

blazes. Features: Longer loop through woods and Distance: 4.6 miles along Pacific Crest Trail.

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