Crater Lake U.S. Department of the Interior

Visitor Guide Reflections Summer/Fall 2013

2 ... Camping, Lodging, Food Catch a Rising Star 3 ... Ranger Programs Plus 10 Other Ways to Enjoy Your Park 4 ... Hiking Trails 5 ... Driving Map Watching the sun rise (or set) over Crater Lake can be ... In the News: Rim Road an unforgettable experience. With clean air, clear skies, 6 and unobstructed views, the park is usually a fantastic 7 ... In the News: Lidar, Foxes place to observe the sun’s daily rituals, as well as other 8 ... Climate Chart celestial events. In fact, for many travelers, spending dawn or dusk on the rim of Crater Lake is a highlight of their visit. Opinions differ, though, as to the best Look Inside! vantage points. At dawn, some people head to Discov-  ery Point or Watchman Overlook, both along the West Rim Drive. From these locations (and from the top of Watchman Peak, where the photo on the right was Watch the New taken), the waters of the lake sometimes glow in shades Park Profile of orange, pink, and purple. Park Film Crater Lake National Park protects the As soon as the sun breaks the horizon, however, seeing the lake from these spots means staring deepest lake in the United States. Fed by A new, 22-minute film has just arrived at into the light, and opportunities for photographs diminish. That’s why many people prefer to rain and snow (but no rivers or streams), the Steel Visitor Center—the park’s first new station themselves at sunrise along the East Rim Drive (or hike to the summit of Mount Scott, the lake is considered to be the cleanest orientation film since the 1980s! Covering where the photo at top was taken), so as to have the sun at their back when viewing the lake. large body of water in the world. The a variety of topics, the film explores the That’s also why, at sunset, most rangers recommend driving to Watchman Overlook or joining water is exceptional for its clarity and significance of Crater Lake and the wonder a ranger-led hike to the top of Watchman Peak (see page 3), where you’ll catch the last rays of intense blue color. it has inspired for generations. The film is light on the lake’s surface then watch the sun descend over a dozen mountain ridges between called “Crater Lake: Into the Deep” and the park and the Pacific Ocean. In the meantime, here are 10 other tips for making your visit to The lake rests inside a caldera formed includes dramatic underwater footage Crater Lake more meaningful, memorable, and fun: approximately 7,700 years ago when a as well as state-of-the-art animation that 12,000-foot-tall (3,600-meter) volcano depicts the park’s violent geologic past. collapsed following a major eruption. The Drive Around the Lake Tour Crater Lake Lodge eruption may have been the largest in The film is shown daily on the hour and Rim Drive is a 33-mile (53-km) road that For a glimpse into an earlier era, check out the North America in the past 640,000 years. half-hour from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. encircles Crater Lake. More than 30 pullouts history exhibits—and walk through the Great Later eruptions formed Wizard Island, a The auditorium in the Steel Visitor Center offer dramatic views of the park’s volcanic Hall—of Crater Lake Lodge, renovated in the cinder cone near the southwest shore. is small, so watching the film in the early scenery. Allow 2 to 3 hours (see page 5). 1990s but first opened in 1915 (see page 2). morning or late afternoon is recommended Today, old-growth forests and open to avoid crowded conditions. Production Hike a Trail Visit the Sinnott Memorial Overlook meadows blanket the volcano’s outer of the film was funded entirely by entrance From easy walks to challenging hikes, the With panoramic views and fascinating slopes, harboring a variety of plants and fees paid by park visitors like you. By park has something for everyone. Explore exhibits, this is the place to learn about the animals, including several rare species. visiting the park, you are contributing to pristine forests, flower-filled meadows, and park’s geologic story and history of scientific The area is central to the cultural traditions future improvements. Thanks for your rocky peaks (see page 4). investigation (see page 2). of local American Indian tribes, and the support! park provides unique opportunities for Attend a Ranger Program Have a Picnic scientific study and public enjoyment. Discover the wonders of Crater Lake with The viewpoints and picnic areas along • Park established: 1902 those who know the park best. Talks, walks, Rim Drive are perfect for outdoor eating • Size: 183,000 acres (74,060 hectares) Welcome! kids programs, boat tours, and trolley tours (see page 5). Stop by the Rim Village Café for • Visitors per year: About 500,000 are offered daily (see page 3). grab-and-go sandwiches, salads, and snacks. Thank you for visiting your national park. • Lake depth: 1,943 feet (592 meters) Here at Crater Lake, you’ll find opportunities Find the Phantom Ship Relax • Lake width: 4.5 to 6 miles (7 to 10 km) to refresh your spirit, awaken your senses, Anchored near the lake’s south shore is an Find a peaceful spot and attune yourself to and connect with the natural world. This island that seems to be sailing away. To see it, the sounds and rhythms of the park. The • Annual snowfall: 43.5 feet (13.2 meters) year, you may notice that budget reductions hike to Sun Notch or drive to the viewpoint Lodge veranda and the quiet pullouts on the • Last time the lake froze over: 1949 are having some effects on available services named in its honor (see page 5). lake’s north side are favorite spots to unwind. and facilities. Please know that we are work- ing hard to ensure that every dollar we do Visit the Pinnacles Touch the Water have is used in the most efficient manner to Formed during the same eruption that gave The trail to the lake shore is steep, dusty, and protect the park and provide you with the birth to the lake, these colorful volcanic often crowded, but the water at the bottom best experience possible. spires are tucked away in the park’s is some of the world’s purest. Swim, fish, or southeast corner (see page 5). simply dangle your toes (see page 3). The National Park Service protects more than 400 special places, saved by the American people so that everyone can Snow plow experience our heritage. We at Crater Lake at Rim Village When is the Park Open? are proud to be stewards of this national treasure. Park rangers and maintenance Crater Lake National Park is open year-round, 24 hours a day. Some roads, trails, and facilities, however, are staff are here to assist you in making your closed seasonally due to snow. Much of the year, the visit safe, rewarding, and fun. If there is park’s North Entrance Road and Rim Drive are closed anything we can do to help, please ask. to cars. They close for the season on November 1 (or Enjoy your park! earlier if there is significant snowfall). Artist Paul Rockwood’s conception of

Crews begin plowing these roads in April, but opening Mount Mazama, the volcano that collapsed dates vary. The North Entrance Road and West Rim to form Crater Lake. If you gathered up the Drive tend to open in early June. The East Rim Drive ash from Mount Mazama’s catastrophic typically opens in early July. Highway 62 is open year- eruption and spread it evenly across the Craig Ackerman round. The road to Rim Village is also open year-round, state of , it would form a layer Superintendent except after heavy snowstorms. 8 inches (20 cm) thick. Wizard Island Rim Visitor Center Bicyclist on East Rim Drive Exhibits at the Sinnott Memorial Overlook

Food & Dining Visitor Centers National Park Service Services The park has three restaurants and one store. There are two visitor centers in the park. U.S. Dept. of the Interior Rangers are available to answer your ques- The Crater Lake Lodge dining room offers tions and assist with trip-planning. The Crater & Facilities fine dining in a casual lodge atmosphere. The Lake Natural History Association sells books, menu features gourmet Northwest cuisine maps, postcards, and other items (see page 8). made with local ingredients. Reservations are Crater Lake Visitor Guide recommended for dinner (5:00-9:00 p.m.) but The Steel Visitor Center, located at Park Summer/Fall 2013 Camping are not taken for breakfast (7:00-10:30 a.m.) Headquarters, is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to The park has two campgrounds. Both sit in or lunch (11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.). Appetizers, 5:00 p.m. A new, 22-minute orientation film is This is the official trip-planner and news- forests south of the lake. Holders of an Amer- drinks, and desserts are also available, shown on the hour and half-hour (see page 1). paper of Crater Lake National Park. It is ica the Beautiful Senior Pass or Access Pass without reservations, from 2:30-9:00 p.m. in The Rim Visitor Center, located in Rim published twice a year and funded by the are entitled to a 50% discount. the Great Hall and on the veranda. Dinner Village, is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 Crater Lake Natural History Association reservations can be made by calling 541-594- p.m. from June through late September. through sales made in the visitor center Mazama Campground (212 sites) is located 2255 ext. 3217. In 2013, the dining room will bookstores. 7 miles south of Rim Village near Highway 62. be open from May 17 through October 13. In 2013, it will be open from May 31 through Exhibits Park Mailing Address: October 6, weather permitting. 75% of the The Annie Creek Restaurant, located in The Sinnott Memorial Overlook, perched P.O. Box 7, Crater Lake, OR 97604 campsites for July, August, and September are Mazama Village, is also open for breakfast, on a rock ledge behind the Rim Visitor Cen- reservable in advance by calling 1-888-774- lunch, and dinner (7:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. during ter, features an enclosed exhibit room and an Phone: 541-594-3000 2728 or online at www.craterlakelodges.com. open parapet with spectacular views of the Website: www.nps.gov/crla the peak season, June 21-September 2). E-Mail: [email protected] The rest are available on a first-come, first- Options include gourmet burgers, vegetarian lake. The overlook contains a relief model served basis. Typically, there are sites available lasagna, a soup & salad bar, and pizza, includ- and exhibits on the park’s geologic story and until late afternoon or early evening. The ing take-out. Wireless internet is available at lake research. Ranger talks are presented campground offers tent sites ($21 per night) $4 per hour. In 2013, the restaurant will be daily from June 28 through September 2 (see Accessibility Internet Except for the Sinnott Wireless internet is free as well as RV sites ($29). Some of the RV open from May 24 through at least September page 3). The overlook is open daily (weather Memorial Overlook, for guests of Crater Lake sites have electric hookups ($35). There are 16, and possibly through October 6. permitting) from late June through October. developed areas in the Lodge and The Cabins many pull-through sites; some can accom- Hours are 9:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. in July and park are generally ac- at Mazama Village. Pub- modate RVs as long as 50 feet (15 meters). The Rim Village Café serves lighter fare August, 9:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. in June and Sep- cessible to individuals lic Wi-Fi is available at Each site has a picnic table, fire ring, and food including salads, soup, snacks, breakfast tember, and 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. in October. with mobility impair- Crater Lake Lodge and locker. Black bears are rarely seen, but camp- pastries, and grab-and-go sandwiches. The The overlook is located down a steep, historic ments. Wheelchair- the Annie Creek Restau- ers are advised to store all food in their locker café is open year-round. Peak season hours walkway with stairs and, unfortunately, is not accessible paths include rant for $4 per hour or the Rim Village prom- $10 for 24 hours. or their vehicle. The campground has drink- are 9:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. (June 14-September 2). accessible to people with limited mobility. enade and the Pinnacles ing water, flush toilets, public showers, and Trail. The Godfrey Glen Lost & Found laundry facilities. A nearby general store sells The Mazama Village Store sells groceries, Crater Lake Lodge features exhibits on the Trail and Plaikni Falls Contact a ranger at groceries, firewood, and gasoline. You can camping supplies, firewood, and gasoline. history of tourism in the park and the history Trail are accessible to either visitor center or contact the campground directly during the Peak season hours are 7:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. and renovation of the lodge. The exhibits are wheelchair users with call 541-594-3060. summer at 541-594-2255 ext. 3610. Mazama (June 17-September 3). open daily, around-the-clock, from May 17 assistance (see page 4). Campground is operated by the park’s through October 13. They are located on the Multiple pullouts on Phones Rim Drive have wheel- Cell phone coverage in concessioner, Xanterra Parks & Resorts. Lodging ground floor, west of the lobby. chair-accessible wayside the park is unreliable. exhibits. Some ranger Reception depends Unfortunately, Lost Creek Campground The park has two motels, both operated by programs are accessible on your location and (16 tent sites) will be closed in 2013 due to Xanterra Parks & Resorts. For information Gifts & Books to people with limited provider. Pay phones budget cuts. Most years, it opens in early and reservations, call 1-888-774-2728 or visit The Rim Village Gift Shop is open all year. mobility and other im- are located outside the July and closes in mid-October. It is located www.craterlakelodges.com. For lodging op- Peak season hours are 9:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. pairments (see page 3). Mazama Village Store tions outside the park, ask at a visitor center. (June 14-September 2). The Annie Creek and inside Crater Lake on the spur road to the Pinnacles Overlook. We are working hard Gift Shop in Mazama Village opens May 24 to improve our level of Lodge. Registration ($10 per night) is self-service, Crater Lake Lodge (71 rooms) is located in accessibility for all park and reservations are not taken. It has drinking and will close sometime between September visitors. We welcome Picnic Areas water and flush toilets. Each site has a picnic Rim Village, overlooking the lake. In 2013, it 16 and October 6. Peak season hours are your comments. Picnic areas are found table, fire ring, and food locker. Lost Creek will be open from May 17 through October 8:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. (June 21-September 2). throughout the park Campground is operated by the National Park 13. Reservations are highly recommended Both gifts shops are operated by Xanterra ATMs (see page 5). The Rim Service. We hope to reopen it in 2014. well in advance. The Cabins at Mazama Parks & Resorts. You can also shop online at The Mazama Village Village picnic area has Village (40 rooms) are located 7 miles south www.craterlakelodges.com/shop. A different Store and Rim Village fire grates. Most picnic For a list of camping options outside the of Rim Village. Operating dates for 2013 are selection of books and gifts is also available at Gift Shop have ATMs. areas have vault toilets but no running water. park, ask at either visitor center. May 24 through September 29. the park’s two visitor centers (see page 8). Drinking Water Water faucets can be Post Office found at Rim Village, A U.S. Post Office is open Fires Pets Wildlife Mazama Village, and Monday through Satur- Fires are allowed only in designated Pets on a leash—or otherwise Never feed wildlife. This includes inside the Steel Visitor day in the Steel Visitor rings in the Rim Village Picnic Area physically restrained—are welcome birds and squirrels. Feeding animals Center. Bottled water Center. Summer hours and campgrounds. Fires may be re- in the park, but only in developed is dangerous for you, bad for them, can be purchased at the are 9:00 a.m.–noon and Know stricted at certain times; ask a ranger. areas. They are allowed within 50 and harmful to the ecosystem. Rim Village Café, the 1:00–3:00 p.m. feet (15 meters) of roads, estab- Feeding, touching, disturbing, or Mazama Village Store, the Food lished parking areas, developed approaching wildlife is prohibited. and the bottom of the Recycling Store food properly. Generally, this campgrounds, and designated Combination trash/ Rules Cleetwood Cove Trail means sealed in your vehicle or a picnic areas. Pets are not allowed recycling bins can be (when boat tours are campground food locker. Backcoun- inside buildings, including Crater Golden-Mantled found around the operating). try campers should use bearproof Lake Lodge and The Cabins at Maz- Ground Squirrel park at more than 20 canisters or hang food from a tree. ama Village. Pets are not allowed locations. Recycling Emergencies Exposing wild animals to our food on park trails or in the backcountry. is currently limited to Dial 911 to report any alters their behavior, is bad for their The presence of pets can confuse emergency, 24 hours a aluminum cans and health, and can be dangerous for us. and frighten wild animals, affecting day. First aid is available plastic bottles. All bins Crater Lake National Park belongs their behavior. The above rules do at visitor centers and can accept both. to everyone. We all share respon- Hiking and Climbing not apply to service dogs here to the ranger station at sibility in protecting it. Please take Stay on trails. This prevents erosion, assist people with disabilities. Park Headquarters. Restrooms a moment to become familiar protects vegetation, and protects Restrooms with flush with these important regulations. other hikers. Shortcutting trails is Good places to walk a dog include Entrance Fee toilets and running For a full list of the park’s rules, prohibited. Hiking and climbing Rim Village, Mazama Campground, The entrance fee for water are located at visit www.nps.gov/crla/parkmgmt/ inside the caldera are strictly and Grayback Drive. Solid pet ex­ Help Keep Wildlife Wild. Crater Lake National Rim Village, Mazama lawsandpolicies.htm. prohibited. The only exception is crement must be picked up imme- Please DO NOT FEED! Park is $10 per family Village, and the Steel the Cleetwood Cove Trail, the only diately by the owner or person in car, good for 7 days. Visitor Center (9:00 Camping safe and legal access to the lake control of the pet and disposed of The rate is higher for a.m.–5:00 p.m.). Vault Camping is limited to developed shore. Serious injuries and deaths in a trash or solid-waste receptacle. commercial vehicles. toilets are located at campgrounds and some backcountry have occurred from falls inside the Your fees are put to most picnic areas, areas. Permits are required for caldera. The walls consist of steep, Viewpoints work improving visitor Watchman Overlook, backcountry camping (see page 3). unstable rocks and soils. Stay back from the rim of the services and facilities. and both ends of the caldera. Do not go beyond Thank you for support- Cleetwood Cove Trail Driving Park Features established fences and rock walls. Clark’s ing your national parks! (see map on page 5). Use pullouts to enjoy the views. Leave rocks, plants, animals, and Falling may cause injury or death. Nutcracker Do not stop in the road. Observe artifacts undisturbed for others to Gasoline Showers & Laundry posted speed limits, and watch for enjoy. Collecting, defacing, destroy- Weapons Self-serve gasoline is Coin-operated showers wildlife, bicyclists, and pedestrians. ing, or disturbing natural, cultural, Firearms are prohibited in all posted available at Mazama and laundry machines Off-road travel is prohibited. or historical features is prohibited. park buildings. Village from May 24 are available at Mazama through October 14. Campground. 2 Trolley Tours Rim Drive is one of America’s most scenic byways, but it’s hard to appreciate the views with your eyes on the road. Fortunately, you can leave the driving to someone else. Ranger-guided trolley tours circle Crater Lake daily. Tours begin and end at Rim Village, spend 2 hours traveling clockwise around the lake, and stop at a minimum of 4 scenic overlooks. See below for departure times and ticket prices. The buses are enclosed, climate-controlled, wheel- chair accessible, and seat 25 passengers. They resemble old streetcars, but they run on modern technology: powered by compressed natural gas, they emit 30-40% less pollution than gasoline-powered vehicles. The trolleys are owned and operated by The Shuttle Inc. of Klamath Falls.

Boat Tour on Crater Lake Sunset over Crater Lake Trolley Tour on Rim Drive

required for persons under 16 years of age and are strongly Swimming Kids: Boat Tours Activities recommended for all cyclists. Swimming is allowed in Crater Join a park ranger for a 2-hour cruise Lake, but the water is cold! Most You Can around Crater Lake. See the box below for departure times and ticket prices. people swim for just a few minutes. Bicycling on park roads is physically Become Boat tours on Crater Lake are operated Backcountry demanding yet can be exceptionally Swimming is permitted only at by Xanterra Parks & Resorts in partner- rewarding. The most popular route Cleetwood Cove and at Wizard a Junior ship with the National Park Service. Camping is the 33-mile (53-km) Rim Drive, Island, which requires a boat tour to Park Ranger! Over 95% of the park is managed featuring spectacular views but reach. The shoreline at both loca- Tickets as wilderness. Although some areas also long, steep grades and climbs tions is rocky; there are no beaches. Each boat holds 37 passengers. 20 Are you between 6 and 12 years tickets for each tour (July 6-Sept. 2 are closed to backcountry camping totaling 3,800 feet (1,158 meters). old? Do you want to learn while only) are available for advance purchase (for example, there is no summer For details, pick up a bicycling Snorkeling, scuba diving, and long- having fun at Crater Lake National by calling 1-888-774-2728 or online camping with a view of the lake), handout at either visitor center. distance swimming are not allowed. Park? Here are 2 different ways: at www.craterlakelodges.com. The exploring the park’s old-growth Last year, after assessing the threats remaining 17 tickets for each tour • Pick up a free activity book at (and all tickets from June 28-July 5 and forests and volcanic landscapes can posed by aquatic invasive species, either visitor center. Explore the be a rewarding experience. Fishing the park placed a ban on the use of Sept. 3-Sept. 15) are available only in park, complete the activities, the park from automated kiosks inside Originally, Crater Lake contained snorkels, wet suits, diving gear, and then return the book to a ranger no fish. Between 1888 and 1941, Crater Lake Lodge and the Annie Creek All campers not staying in the park’s other equipment that could serve to earn a Junior Ranger BADGE. Gift Shop. For each tour, these tickets developed campgrounds must ob- however, 6 species were intro- as vectors for the introduction of go on sale exactly 24 hours in advance. tain a backcountry permit. The only duced. Today, only rainbow trout non-native organisms. We hope you • Meet behind the Rim Visitor Sales continue until the tour is sold Center at 1:30, 3:00, or 4:30 and kokanee salmon remain. Fish- will understand our caution on this out or until 2 hours remain before exception is through-hikers on the p.m. (June 28-Sept. 2) and Pacific Crest Trail, who may instead ing is allowed at the bottom of the issue and the importance of pro- departure. At that time, if a tour is participate in a free, 20-minute not sold out, remaining tickets can be sign the trail register as they enter Cleetwood Cove Trail, where you’ll tecting the lake from a threat to its activity. Complete one activity to find .25 miles (.4 km) of rocky purchased from a ticket booth (open the park. Permits are free and are ecology that could be irreversible. earn a Junior Ranger PATCH. daily at 8:30 a.m.) at the top of the available at Park Headquarters, from shoreline. Wizard Island, reachable Cleetwood Cove Trail, until 45 minutes the visitor center or ranger station, by tour boat, is also open to fishing. Wildlife Viewing before departure. Ticket holders should between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. arrive at the trailhead at least 45 Fishing licenses are not required. The park is home to many animals, minutes before their tour to allow time There are no restrictions on but they can be difficult to spot. The to hike down the 1.1-mile (1.7-km) trail Bicycling the size, number, or species most visible animals are deer and to the lake. Bicycling at Crater Lake is allowed taken. Cleaning fish in the lake is squirrels. Herds of elk are some- Visiting Wizard Island on paved roads and on the unpaved prohibited; pack out your catch. times seen in the meadows along Up to 74 tickets each day are available Grayback Drive. Bicycles are To prevent the introduction of Rim Drive. Bobcats and mountain for visitors wishing to disembark at not allowed on park trails, with non-native organisms, no organic lions are present but rarely seen. Wizard Island, halfway through the one exception: the Pinnacles bait of any kind may be used. This Lucky observers might spot a fox, tour, to hike, fish, swim, and explore. Trail. Park roads are narrow with includes fish eggs, PowerBait, and black bear, marmot, porcupine, Only 2 tours dock at Wizard Island: the few shoulders and considerable live or dead fish. Fishing is limited grouse, or bald eagle. Dawn and 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. departures. The 6 standard tours do not stop. Most dusk are the best times to look. automobile traffic. Helmets are to artificial lures and flies only. passengers are dropped off for a 3-hour stay, then picked up by a later boat to complete their tour of the lake. A limited number of tickets (6 per day) are May 17–June 27 June 28–Sept. 2 available for people wishing to spend Ranger-Led Activities & Sept. 3–Oct. 13 6 hours on the island. See page 4 for details on the island’s 2 hiking trails. 11:30 a.m. Ranger Talks at Rim Village Check 1:00 p.m. What to Bring Join a ranger to deepen your understanding of Crater Lake. Topics vary; check posted schedules. posted  Bring plenty of drinking water. Bottled Meet at the Sinnott Memorial Overlook for the talks at 11:30, 1:00, and 2:30. Meet on the back 2:30 p.m. schedules porch of Crater Lake Lodge (accessible to wheelchairs) for the 4:00 talk. (20 minutes) 4:00 p.m. water is available for purchase at the bottom of the Cleetwood Cove Trail. 1:30 p.m.  Bring a lunch or snack, especially if Junior Ranger Activity Check visiting Wizard Island. Light snacks Kids participate in a ranger-led activity to learn about Crater Lake and earn a Junior Ranger 3:00 p.m. posted are available for purchase at the top patch. Meet behind the Rim Visitor Center. Geared for ages 6 to 12. (20 minutes) 4:30 p.m. schedules of the Cleetwood Cove Trail.  Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat are Afternoon Hike recommended for sun protection. The boats are not covered. Hike with a ranger to discover Crater Lake. Trails vary by day of the week. See page 4 for trail  Bring a jacket. Weather on the lake details. For Garfield Peak, meet on the back porch of Crater Lake Lodge. For Sun Notch and Check can be windy and chilly. Plaikni Falls, meet at the trailhead. Be sure to carry drinking water. 2:00 p.m. posted  Wear sturdy footwear, especially if Sunday, Wednesday: Sun Notch (1 hour, easy, great views of the Phantom Ship) schedules visiting Wizard Island. Mon., Thurs., Sat.: Plaikni Falls (1.5 hours, easy, hike to a hidden waterfall) Tuesday, Friday: Garfield Peak (2.5 hours, strenuous, spectacular lake views) Hiking to Cleetwood Cove The Cleetwood Cove Trail is the only July 5-31 7:30 p.m. legal access to the shore of Crater Watchman Peak Sunset Hike (Hike is offered from Lake (see map on page 5). The hike is August 1-10 Ascend to a breathtaking viewpoint and watch the sun go down over the Cascade Mountain 7:15 p.m. July 5-Sept. 10) steep and strenuous: in 1.1 miles (1.7 Range. Meet at the Watchman Overlook, a parking area with wooden fences 3.8 miles (6.1 km) August 11-20 7:00 p.m. km) it drops 700 feet (213 meters) in northwest of Rim Village. Flashlights are not needed. See page 4 for trail details. (1.5 hours) August 21-31 6:45 p.m. Sept. 1-10 6:30 p.m. elevation. Walking back up is equivalent to climbing 65 flights of stairs! The Evening Program June 28-July 31 9:00 p.m. Check trail is recommended only for those in Relax under the stars as you learn about the park. Check posted schedules for topics. August 1-20 8:30 p.m. posted good physical condition. It should not Meet at the Mazama Campground Amphitheater, between loops D and E. (45 minutes) Aug.21-Sept.2 8:00 p.m. schedules be attempted by anyone with heart, breathing, or walking problems. It is not accessible for people with mobility Rim Drive Trolley Tour Circle the lake on a ranger-narrated tour of Rim impairments. Hikers should wear sturdy Drive. See the top of this page for more infor- 10:00 a.m. shoes and carry water. Vault toilets are Ticket Prices mation. Tours leave from, and tickets are sold 11:00 a.m. located at the top and bottom of the at, the Community House in the middle of Rim $25 Adult (age 14 through 59) 12:00 p.m. Check trail. Depending on snow conditions, Village. Tickets may be purchased the day of the posted the trail usually opens in late June and $22 Senior (age 60 and up) 1:00 p.m. $15 Child (age 5 through 13) tour, or the day before, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 schedules closes in late October. p.m. To reserve tickets further in advance, call 2:00 p.m. Free Young Child (under 5 years) 541-882-1896 or visit www.craterlaketrolley.com. 3:00 p.m. $70 Family Rate (2 adults plus kids) Tours cover a variety of topics. (2 hours)

Crater Lake Boat Tour Standard Tours: For a different perspective on Crater Lake, take a ranger-narrated boat tour. See the right-hand 9:35 a.m. column of this page for detailed information. Note: Taking a boat tour requires hiking down— 10:30 a.m. and back up—one of the steepest trails in the park. Tours cover a variety of topics. (2 hours) 11:30 a.m. Weather permitting, 1:30 p.m. boat tours will operate *Kids must be at least 3 years Ticket Prices 2:30 p.m. from June 28 through $35 Adult (age 13 and up) old to take a boat tour. Engine 3:30 p.m. noise, sun exposure, wind, and September 15 $45 Adult with Wizard Island Drop-Off occasional rough water make Tours with Wizard $21 Child (age 3* through 12) tours extremely unpleasant for Island Drop-Offs: $27 Child with Wizard Island Drop-Off infants and toddlers. 9:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m. The Cleetwood Cove Trail drops 700 feet (213 meters) to the lake shore. Activities are free of charge except for trolley & boat tours. Programs are subject to cancellation due to weather or unforeseen circumstances. Sketch from Road Guide to Crater Lake. 3 Let’s Go Hiking!

Hi, I’m Ranger Emily. We have 90 miles (145 km) of hiking trails here at Crater Hiker atop Lake. Our most popular day hikes are Garfield Peak listed on this page. If you are visiting in June or July, be aware that some trails might still be closed by snow. Please help us protect this special place by following Swimmers at a few important rules: Cleetwood Cove

Lewis Monkeyflower on the Castle Crest Trail  No hiking or climbing inside the caldera! The walls are dangerously steep and unstable. The one exception is the Cleetwood Cove Trail, the only legal access to the lake shore.  Leave all rocks, plants, animals, and artifacts undisturbed for the enjoyment of future hikers.  Overnight backpacking requires a permit, available at Park Headquarters between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Some areas are not open to backcountry camping.  To protect vegetation and prevent erosion, please stay on the trails.  Pets are not allowed on park trails (see page 2).

Castle Crest Lady of the Woods Sun Notch Trail The Pinnacles Godfrey Glen Plaikni Falls 0.5 miles (0.8 km) loop trail 0.5 miles (0.8 km) loop trail 0.9 miles (1.4 km) loop trail Total Distance 1 mile (1.6 km) 1 mile (1.6 km) loop trail 2.2 miles (3.5 km) 100 feet (30 meters) 120 feet (37 meters) 150 feet (46 meters) Elevation Gain 10 feet (3 meters) 50 feet (15 meters) 100 feet (30 meters) 30 minutes 30 minutes 30 minutes Time 30 minutes 30 minutes 1 hour Flowers, Meadow, Creek Historic Architecture Views of Phantom Ship Highlight Volcanic Spires Peaceful Forest Waterfall, Flowers Loop trail through a beautiful Loop trail around Park Short uphill walk through a Easy walk along the rim Easy stroll through an old- New trail (opened in 2011) meadow. Abundant wild- Headquarters. Self-guiding meadow to the rim of Cra- of Pinnacle Valley. Great growth forest, with some through a quiet old-growth flowers in July. The trail is brochures, available at the ter Lake. Great views of the views of volcanic spires. Use canyon views. Dirt path; forest to a waterfall. The first rocky and slippery in places. trailhead, describe how early Phantom Ship. Use caution Description caution near cliffs. Trail ends accessible to wheelchair 3/4 of the way is accessible to Self-guiding brochures are park architects integrated near cliff edges. Trail improve- at park boundary. Accessible users with assistance. wheelchair users with assis- available at the trailhead. their designs with the natural ments are underway. If you to wheelchair users with Self-guiding brochures are tance, but the final ascent to landscape. see our trail crew, say hello! assistance. Open to bicycles. available at the trailhead. the falls might be too steep.

East Rim Drive, 0.5 miles Behind the Steel Visitor East Rim Drive, 4.4 miles End of the Pinnacles Spur 2.4 miles (3.9 km) south of Pinnacles Road, 1.2 miles (0.8 km) east of Park Head- Center, on the south side (7.1 km) east of Park Trailhead Road, 7 miles (11.3 km) Park Headquarters. (1.9 km) southeast of the quarters. Can also access of the building. Headquarters. Location southeast of the Phantom Phantom Ship Overlook. from the Steel Visitor Center. Ship Overlook.

The flowers here are The trail’s name refers to a This U-shaped valley was The Pinnacles are chimneys Trail is named after William Snowmelt, not Crater Lake, nourished by springs sculpture of a woman carved carved by glaciers that once Nature Note formed when hot ash cooled Godfrey, a ranger who died is the source of Plaikni Falls’ emerging from the hillside. into a boulder along the trail. flowed down Mt. Mazama. after the big eruption. in a blizzard here in 1930. water. Easy Easy

Discovery Point Trail Fumarole Bay Watchman Peak Annie Creek The Phantom Ship from Sun Notch 2.2 miles (3.5 km) Total Distance 1.8 miles (2.9 km) 1.6 miles (2.6 km) 1.7 miles (2.7 km) loop trail 100 feet (30 meters) Elevation Gain 150 feet (46 meters) 420 feet (128 meters) 200 feet (61 meters) 1 hour Time 1 hour 1 hour 1½ hours Lake Views Highlight Swimming, Fishing Panoramic Views Creek, Canyon, Flowers Trail along the rim of Crater Rocky trail along the shore Moderate ascent to a Moderately strenuous trail Lake through a pretty forest of Wizard Island. Becomes lookout above Wizard Island. through a deep, stream- of whitebark pines and hard to follow after reaching Spectacular views in all cut canyon. Lots of water, mountain hemlocks. Fine Description Fumarole Bay. The shallow, directions. Great place to wildflowers, and sometimes views of the lake and Wizard clear water is good for watch the sunset. Trail may wildlife. Self-guiding Island. Use caution near cliff fishing and swimming. be closed until mid-July due brochures are available at edges. to snow. the trailhead.

West end of Rim Village, Wizard Island dock, 3.8 miles (6.1 km) northwest Mazama Campground, Hikers at where the paved walk be- Trailhead accessible only via a boat of Rim Village. Park at the behind the amphitheater, Plaikni Falls comes a dirt path. Can also Location tour from Cleetwood Cove. viewpoint surrounded by located between loops D and start from Discovery Point. See page 3 for information. wooden fences. E. Limited parking in E Loop.

Gold prospector John Wesley Abundant lichen on the tree Built in 1932, the peak’s The creek provides the park’s Hillman first spotted Crater Nature Note trunks is an indication of historic fire lookout is still drinking water, named the best Lake from this point in 1853. excellent air quality. staffed by rangers today. tasting in Oregon in 2004. Moderate

Wizard Summit Cleetwood Cove Garfield Peak Trail Mount Scott Crater Peak Union Peak 2 miles (3.2 km) 2.2 miles (3.5 km) 3.4 miles (5.5 km) Total Distance 5 miles (8.1 km) 6.4 miles (10.3 km) 11 miles (17.7 km) 760 feet (232 meters) 700 feet (213 meters) 1,010 feet (308 meters) Elevation Gain 1,250 feet (381 meters) 765 feet (233 meters) 1,600 feet (448 meters) 1½ hours 1½ hours 2 to 3 hours Time 3 hours 3½ hours 5 to 6 hours Views, Summit Crater Swim, Fish, Boat Tours Panoramic Views Highlight Panoramic Views Forest, Views, Solitude Panoramic Views Rocky climb to the top of The only legal access to Rocky climb to a high peak. Gradual ascent of the park’s Moderately strenuous walk Long forest walk followed Wizard Island. Spectacular the shore of Crater Lake. Spectacular views along the highest peak. Great views to the summit of a small by a very steep climb. Great lake views, interesting Strenuous trail with a steep way and at the top. Diverse in all directions. Best in volcano. No lake views, but views from the top and geology. A path leads around grade. The trail descends to a plant life, many wildflowers. Description morning, when the light is fine views of the Klamath interesting geology, but no the 90-foot-deep (27-meter) rocky shoreline at Cleetwood Top section may be closed ideal for lake viewing. May Basin to the southeast. view of Crater Lake. Top crater at the summit. Cove. See page 3 for detailed until mid-July due to snow. be closed until mid-July due A peaceful walk through section may be impassable information. Use caution near cliff edges. to snow. forests and meadows. until mid-July due to snow.

Wizard Island dock, North side of the lake, 11 East end of Rim Village. Walk East Rim Drive, 14 miles East Rim Drive, 3 miles Highway 62 at the Pacific accessible only via a boat miles (17.6 km) from Rim behind Crater Lake Lodge Trailhead (22.5 km) east of Park (4.8 km) east of Park Crest Trailhead, 1 mile (1.6 tour from Cleetwood Cove. Village if traveling clockwise along the paved promenade. Location Headquarters. Headquarters at the Vidae km) west of the Crater Lake See page 3 for information. on Rim Drive. Falls Picnic Area. road junction.

The dead trees at the summit Below 200 feet (61 meters), Rocky slopes along the trail Mt. Scott is the park’s highest Upper Klamath Lake is the Union Peak is the core of an have been killed by dwarf the water in Crater Lake are home to American pikas Nature Note peak—8,929 feet (2,721 largest in Oregon, but its av- old volcano eroded by gla- mistletoe, a parasitic plant. stays 38ºF (3ºC) year-round. and yellow-bellied marmots. meters) in elevation. erage depth is only 14 feet. ciers during the last Ice Age. Strenuous Strenuous

4 To Diamond Lake, Roseburg, and 5 Pacific Crest National Gasoline Lodging 0 1 2 3 4 5 Kilometers MOUNT THIELSEN Scenic Trail (PCT) 0 1 2 3 4 5 Miles WILDERNESS Other hiking trail Picnic area Food service North (UMPQUA and WINEMA NATIONAL FORESTS) Pets are prohibited Campground Store on all hiking trails Summit Rock Beaver Offroad driving is Backcountry campsite Showers Meadows 6050ft UMPQUA NATIONAL 1845m prohibited (permit required)

FOREST PCT parking Creek uir M k

r ) ( Fo Cascade Mountain Pass st Ea ogue River 5925ft R 1846m North Entrance Station 5850ft Lake West 1783m T in y

Creek a To Medford and 5 hah Minne Cre ek

Boundary Springs D Gaywas Peak E S 6781ft E 2067m R T (open summer only) ROGUE RIVER R ID G WINEMA E NATIONAL NATIONAL FOREST FOREST E Timber Crater G Bald Crater 7424ft ID 2263m R 6478ft 1975m NT SCE CRE ek PUMICE DESERT Cre National eek Cr ert Des

ICE DESERT Area of Detail PUM Regional Map to Portland to 230 138 97 Bend Pacific Crest Eugene k NATIONAL 20 ee Oasis Butte to Roseburg, Bend, National Scenic Cr CRATER LAKE and Eugene Trail FORESTS 5842ft 58 1781m NATIONAL PARK 97 t n le NORTH ENTRANCE ROAD Si (open summer only) 5 Diamond CRATER LAKE 138 Lake k ree Chemult Bert C NATIONAL PARK Roseburg 138 230 CRATER LAKE Union Creek Red Cone NATIONAL Sphagnum Bog 7363ft Grouse Hill Prospect PARK Fragile wetlands, 62 k 2245m 7412ft NATIONAL ree no camping 62 Fort C 2260m Chiloquin FORESTS 234 Klamath Lookout Bluff Cleetwood Cove Trail Grants 6118ft (to tour boat landing) Pass 62 1865m ter Cra Medford 97 199 Klamath Ashland Spruce Lake to Redding Falls d o e o v Steel o k tw C ee Bay e Cr Scout Hill Llao Rock le 6376ft C to California 8049ft r North Entrance Road1944m a to Portland Pacific Crest 2453m Cratere Lake & Rim Drive are North Junction B CLOSED in winter National Scenic 7025ft National Park (see page 3) Trail 2142m Llao Bay Merriam Cone EAST RIM DRIVE WEST RIM DRIVE Devils Backbone -486ft (open summer only) (open summer only) -1788ft -148m Grotto -545m Pothole Butte Cove 6150ft 1875m Deepest point l S e below lake surface F n F Watchman Overlook U n -1943ft L a B h -592m C T Wizard T

Watchman Peak l Crater Lake O l C Island S k 8013ft e ree k Average surface elevation: C ole 2442m S Poth De 6940ft 6173ft er e Cloudcap Overlook ol 2116m 1882m B r 7865ft yb a y Creek e m a 2397m e Lightning u B Lightning F C Springs r Springs -1548ft e Trail Pumice Castle Overlook e k -472m 7100ft Discovery 2165m Mount Scott Point Danger (highest point in park) Castle Rim Village Bay C Rim Café & Gift Shop 8929ft ree 2721m W k Sinnott Memorial Overlook h i Phantom Ship sk Rim Visitor Center e y Overlook Discovery Crater Lake Lodge Phantom To Medford Point Trail Ship AN and 62 C Plaikni DE has RS ki Bay Falls ON C B r Pacific Crest L e UF e 4850ft Garfield Peak F k National Scenic S 1479m Sun Notch S Trail 8054ft a Castle Creek n 2455m Trail d Little Park U n Lady of the i Headquarters o C n Steel Visitor Center Woods Trail r e D e

U k 6450ft Park Boundary Ca stle Castle T 1966m T

O C Creek Crest r N e Trail EAST RIM DRIVE e 62 k (open summer only)

R

to Vidae Falls I D Medford G k Thousand and e E e Springs 5 Whitehorse r C C

Ponds a

n v

Annie e o

s r Spring n Lost Creek n u M (closed in 2013 Grayback Drive due to budget cuts) (gravel road open to ROGUE RIVER Annie hikers, bicycles, horses, Spring Godfrey Glen Trail S and pets, but closed to cars) W un h Entrance ee le C NATIONAL Station r r e

Annie Creek Trail Cre C e Dry Butte r ek e k

k G e 5735ft

r k T Annie Creek R H o A E P 1748m FOREST Restaurant F Y IN A R B NA n ID A CLE Pinnacles Union & Gift Shop n G C S ie Peak Crater Peak E K Trail 7263ft Trail Mazama Village t Pinnacles Huckleberry Mountain s 2214m 6370ft a C E Overlook 1942m r e Sa e n k d 6004ft Rocktop Butte 1830m 0 1 2 3 4 5 Kilometers 6400ft C 1951m re e 0 1 2 3 4 5 Miles k

Union Peak North Visitor Center Lodging Gas Picnic Area Hiking Trail 7709ft 62 2350m Pacific Crest Campground Groceries Showers Restrooms Paved Road to Klamath National Scenic k Wheelchair- Food Service Laundry Restrooms Unpaved Road e Trail Falls and 97 Accessible Trail (no water) e

r 6253ft C 1906m

A 6091ft n t PUMICE n 1857m WINEMA NATIONAL in Highlights of the Rim Drive i Scoria Cone e rm FLAT 6648ft a C S V 2027m ree A Baldtop k N FOREST Rim Drive is a 33-mile6200ft (53-km) road that Discovery Point (1.8 km) west of the Cloudcap Overlook D

1890m

encircles Crater Lake. It is one of America’s junction and 2.4 miles (3.9 km) east of the The Pinnacles Imagine seeing Crater Lake by accident. It was

most scenic byways, with spectacular views in near this spot, on the back of a mule in 1853, Phantom Ship Overlook. R S I D t Cre Stuart Falls u e n ke k all directions. The loop is typically open from G n that gold prospector John Hillman became the W la E B i ld early July to late October. It can be driven, Phantomc Ship Overlook first European-American to stumble across a t C r without stopping, in about an hour, but at C e d what he calledGoose “Deep Nest Blue Lake.” Nestled againstr the shore, Crater Lake’s “other e e e R 7249ft e k least 2 to 3 hours are necessary to enjoy the 2210m k island” escapes detection by many park visi- varied sights. The road is narrow, so buses Watchman Overlook tors. Though it resembles a small sailboat, the and motorhomes should use caution. There This pullout offers an unmatched view of island is as tall as a 16-story building. It’s made are more than 30 scenic pullouts along the Wizard Island, a cinder cone that erupted out of erosion-resistant lava, 400,000 years old— SKY LAKES WINEMA NATIONAL route, many of which have roadside exhibits. of Crater Lake approximately 7,300 years ago. the oldest exposed rock within the caldera. Sun Mountain WILDERNESS 5550ft Be sure not to miss these 7 “must-see” stops. To find this unmarked pullout, driveFOREST 3.8 miles 1692m (ROGUE RIVER and WINEMA NATIONAL FORESTS) For more information, pick up the excellent Goose(6.1 Eggkm) west of Rim Village and look for a Pinnacles Overlook 7124ft Tom MountainRoad Guide to Crater Lake National Park 2172mviewpoint lined with wooden fences. This overlook is well worth the 7-mile Bessie Rock 6876ft 4400ft Cinnamon Peak 1341m 5900ft 6367ft (482096m pages, Jerry$5.95) Mountain at either visitor center. 1799m (11-km) detour from Rim Drive. Colorful 1941m Cloudcap Overlook spires, 100 feet (30 meters) tall, are being eroded from the canyon wall. The Pinnacles View from the East Rim Drive This overlook sits at the end of a 1-mile (1.6-km) spur road, the highest paved road are “fossil fumaroles” where volcanic gases in Oregon. Whitebark pines cling for survival rose up through a layer of volcanic ash, here, dwarfed and contorted by the harsh cementing the ash into solid rock. winds. Vidae Falls Pumice Castle Overlook Look for this cascading waterfall between Stop here to see one of the park’s most Phantom Ship Overlook and Park Head- colorful features: a layer of orange pumice quarters. A spring-fed creek tumbles over rock that has been eroded into the shape of a glacier-carved cliff and drops 100 feet (30 a medieval castle. Watch carefully for this meters) over a series of ledges. In summer, unmarked viewpoint, located 1.1 miles wildflowers flourish in the cascade’s spray. 5 SOUTHERN OREGON HISTORICAL SOCIETY #15290

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS Crater Lake Park one of the greatest pleasure Work was completed in 1919, after seven Tight, narrow curves made the Rim The Rim Road was built grounds in the United States,” wrote The Ore- summers of construction. All told, 57 miles by horses and hard work. Road hazardous as cars grew larger and faster in the 1920s. gonian, “equaling in attractiveness the famous of new road were now ready for the coming Yellowstone Park.” The Medford Mail Tribune influx of automobiles, which were no longer proclaimed: “This boulevard will be unlike limited to operating at only certain times of any other in the world. Not only does it look the day. Visitation skyrocketed. The number down upon America’s deepest lake, lying like a of tourists arriving at Crater Lake climbed blue amethyst in mystic beauty...but it affords a from 16,000 in 1919 to more than 170,000 in marvelous panorama of mountain scenery, of 1931. The Rim Road, noted one observer, “is bleak hills and snowy peaks....” Even Super- proving a wonderful attraction, second only intendent Arant couldn’t contain his enthu- to the beauty of the lake itself.” Upon circling siasm. In his 1912 annual report, he boasted the lake for the first time, Stephen Mather, the that the circuit “will be beyond question one director of the National Park Service, gushed: boats, and rainbow trout; and organized trips of the grandest scenic roads in the world.” “This road is one of the finest scenic highways to the park for members of the political, sci- in the world. Not only are the views of the Rim Road entific, and economic elite, whom he hoped marvelous lake superb and unique, but the to enlist as proponents of his agenda. The glimpses of the surrounding region...are only lobbying worked. Secretary of the Interior slightly less sensational.” Celebrates Richard Ballinger, for example, proclaimed upon visiting the park that “Crater Lake is a magnificent sight.... It should be thrown open Today’s Rim Drive 100 Years to the tourist traffic of the world....” Steel also gained the support of Oregon’s congressional delegation. In 1909 he traveled to Washing- Construction of the ton, DC, and pushed them to secure funding for a comprehensive road survey. When Con- “Skyline Boulevard” gress appropriated $10,000 for this purpose in Began in 1913 June of 1910, the editors of the Medford Mail Tribune cheered, noting wryly that “Senators Today, hikers can walk parts of Bourne and Chamberlain are to be congratu- the old Rim Road, such as this segment near Hillman Peak. The 33-mile road around the rim of Crater lated.... For the first time in history, Southern Lake is one of America’s most scenic drives. Oregon has...actually secured something Built from 1931 to 1940 using heavy machin- worthwhile by means of its delegation.” ery, it provides motorists with a stunning Building the Rim Road, however, would Yet all was not well. Despite its idyllic setting, prove to be easier said than done. Challenges the new “Skyline Boulevard” was in fact a sequence of views of the lake and its sur- That summer, the Army Corps of Engineers roundings. Few people realize, however, that included a short working season, deep snow narrow, rough, dusty road with sharp curves sent a party of 26 men to Crater Lake to pre- that lasted well into summer, and a lack of and steep grades. As passenger cars became the existing Rim Drive is not the only road to pare plans, specifications, and cost estimates have circled Crater Lake. It follows the path mechanized equipment. Much of the work larger and faster during the 1920s, the road’s for an overhaul of the park’s road system, was done manually: by men and boys with narrow width—only 12 feet—made passage of of an earlier loop, known as the Rim Road, including new entrance roads from the south, which was forged between 1913 and 1919 us- picks and shovels. No accounts survive from vehicles in opposite directions hazardous. The east, and west. Upon arriving at the rim, the those who performed the work, but the labor road’s tight curves frustrated motorists who ing mostly manual labor. This summer marks engineer in charge quickly became convinced the 100th anniversary of the construction of must have been backbreaking. Will Steel, who were becoming accustomed to higher speeds, that a “boulevard” around the lake was replaced William Arant as park superintendent and even new cars struggled to climb its steep- that original, remarkable road—dubbed the feasible. He expressed his intent to locate the “Skyline Boulevard” by newspapers of the in 1913, the year construction began, com- est hills, with grades of 10 percent. Further, the road as “near to the edge of the crater as can plained in his first annual report that “there is unsurfaced road was comprised, in places, of era—and thus seems a fitting time to recall the be done at as many points as possible.” In the interesting, yet largely forgotten, story of its no provision for the comfort of the men, who, volcanic sand, in which some cars got stuck. meantime, Will Steel was back in Washing- by the common laws of humanity, are entitled And all vehicles kicked up clouds of finely pul- conception, construction, premature fate, and ton, DC, seeking funding for construction. In enduring legacy. to shelter and...sanitary conditions.” He asked verized ash. “This dust,” complained Mather, August of 1912, Congress allocated $50,000, for $1,200 in order to erect, “without delay, a “is puffed into the air by the wheels of the which was followed, in subsequent years, by building containing a kitchen, dining room, automobile, where it remains in suspension for It is no exaggeration to say that in 1902, when appropriations that totaled over $400,000 Crater Lake National Park was established, bathroom, and sleeping quarters....” The Army a long time, filling the eyes and nostrils of the (roughly $8,300,000 in today’s dollars). With Corps of Engineers supervised the road build- occupants...often obscuring the view.” Park visiting the park meant mounting an expedi- money thus secured, optimism ran high. tion. Most visitors reached the park only after ing, but it was men from local communities, staff lamented that “the continuous showers Newspapers across Oregon trumpeted the hired as laborers, who did the heavy lifting. As of fine, powdery dust” were “stunting and kill- a three-day wagon trip. There were no servic- nascent project. “The intention is to make es or facilities, and no roads reached the rim; a result, progress slowed each July and August, ing” the vegetation. By 1930, new NPS director seeing the lake required adventurers to aban- when competition from ranching operations in Horace Albright was declaring the Rim Road don their wagons and climb a steep trail on CRLA MUSEUM & ARCHIVE COLLECTIONS 1596 the Klamath Basin caused some men to leave not only to be “the most beautiful highway in foot or horseback. Finally, in 1905, the park’s to harvest hay. In 1918, American involve- the world” but also “unfit for travel.” It needed first superintendent, William Arant, oversaw ment in World War I exacerbated the labor to be paved, widened, and rerouted. After the construction of a rough road from Park shortage. In truth, as much work was probably only a dozen years of use, the Rim Road had Headquarters to what’s now Rim Village. accomplished by horses as by humans. Teams become obsolete, a victim of the era’s rapidly Even so, the first automobile to reach the rim, of horses dragged plows, scrapers, and graders changing technology and expectations. in 1906, did so only with the help of horses, to smooth the roadbed. Several wood-fueled which pulled the sputtering two-cylinder car steam shovels also were employed to excavate Thus, in 1931, the park began construction of up the steepest grades. “Very disagreeable” rock. In 1914, the most productive year of the present-day Rim Drive. While still quite is how Superintendent Arant described the the project, 250 men, 50 teams of horses, and narrow—and badly in need of repair, which is park’s road system in 1912, in his annual three steam shovels managed to grade 14 miles scheduled to occur in the next few years—its report to the Secretary of the Interior. “There Until the 1930s, when park roads were paved, of new road, with one crew moving clockwise graceful curves, gentle inclines, and well- are three wagon roads in the park.... They are deep sand and choking dust frustrated motorists. around the rim and another counterclockwise. planned vistas continue to serve the park well. simply tracks...cut out through the trees and For long stretches, the Rim Drive overlaps the bushes. By constant use these narrow roads old Rim Road, and therefore obscures it, but have become veritable gutters the width of a vestiges of the old route remain. The so-called wagon and in many places 1 or 2 feet deep.... To Build or Not To Build? Grayback Drive, south of the lake (see page 5), being cut deeper and deeper by the wheels of is the best-preserved section. It’s not particu- vehicles passing over them.” That was the question at Crater Lake in the early 20th century. Most Oregonians favored larly scenic, and it’s no longer open to cars, increased access to the park and its sights, but opinions ranged as to the scope of development, but it’s a pleasant trail for running, mountain The need for better roads was imperative, as illustrated by the quotes below. Joaquin Miller was a poet who spent five days at Crater biking, and horseback riding. A much prettier since more and more visitors were arriving by Lake in 1903 at the invitation of William Steel and came away deeply impressed by the lake’s segment of the Rim Road now serves as a automobile. Ford Model Ts had begun rolling tranquility. Steel was the park’s founder, first concessioner, and second superintendent. He spectacular (and little-used) hiking trail be- off assembly lines in Detroit, Michigan, in longed for a day when tourists could visit the park with ease and promoted plans that went far tween the West Rim Drive and the edge of the 1908; cars were becoming increasingly afford- beyond what was actually built. What do you think? Did development at Crater Lake proceed too caldera. It can be followed for 2.5 miles (4 km) able to a wide swath of the American public. far, not far enough, or have we achieved a balance between public enjoyment and preservation? from the Lightning Springs Picnic Area, north LIBRARY OF CONGRESS The park, for its part, issued regulations that OREGON HISTORICAL SOCIETY #23267 past Watchman Overlook, over the shoulder “It is only a matter of “Much credit...is due of Hillman Peak, until meeting up with the tried to accommodate motorized traffic, but time when a road will to William Gladstone wagons were still awarded right of way. Cars be built.... A tunnel... Steel for persistent Rim Drive a half-mile south of North Junction. were required to stop in the presence of bored from the water hard work in estab- horses, limit speeds generally to six miles per to the Rim Road...and lishing this noblest Although Crater Lake’s “Skyline Boulevard” hour, sound their horns at every bend in the debris used to fill in natural park in the was abandoned soon after completion and is along the shore line, Republic, and the road to warn oncoming travelers, and operate for parking, turning, most unique park now largely forgotten, its legacy lives on. The only between 6:30-10:30 a.m. and 3:30-6:30 boat houses, and under the path of the first major construction project in the park’s p.m. so that horse-powered vehicles could other conveniences.... sun.... It took such history, it opened the park to mass tourism move in peace and safety the rest of the day. However, the crown- hold of my heart... and spread excitement about the lake around Modes of travel may have been changing, ing glory of the park that I love it almost the globe. And it paved the way (figuratively, will consist of an au- like one of my own but one thing was not: a full decade after its tomobile road to the family. The thousand at least) for the equally impressive Rim Drive establishment, Crater Lake National Park was top of Mount Scott, and one ‘best points that we enjoy today. It also inspired the fol- still remote and rugged, too rugged for most 9,000 feet high, from of view’ from the rim lowing piece of advice, as sound now as it was Oregonians to contemplate visiting. Reaching which one beholds of the crater keep you in the 1920s when park superintendent C. G. the rim was more hardship than adventure, Will Steel Central Oregon, from busy from morning to Joaquin Miller Thomson offered it to motorists setting out the Columbia River night. The plan is now and only one vantage point could be gained region far down into California and from the Blue to build...a drive around the lake, so that all these to drive along “the jagged crest of the world’s by wheeled vehicle. In 1912, only 5,235 peo- Mountains to the Pacific Ocean. Walls will encircle points may be considered in a single day from a noblest crater.” Wrote Thomson: “Approach ple made the difficult journey to the park. the summit, where 200 cars or more can park carriage. And a great hotel is planned! ...Well, so the experience in a leisurely and appreciative with perfect safety and the occupants enjoy the be it, if you must so mock nature and break this mood, and great will be your reward. For you The first clamor for a road around the lake entrancing thrills of mountain climbers without hush and silence of a thousand centuries, but I will fix a gorgeous memory that neither time their hardships and dangers. Then will come a shall not be here. No hotel or house or road of any came from William Steel. The park’s founder road inside the rim, near the water, crossing to sort should ever be built near this Sea of Silence. nor the fret of living shall efface.... And pay a and greatest promoter, Steel was determined Wizard Island and up to its crater and circling it. All our other parks have been surrendered to tribute to the engineering genius that, while to popularize Crater Lake as a summer resort. There inspired thoughts of reverence for the God hotels and railroads. Let us keep this last and best overcoming technical difficulties, contrived to He initiated construction of the park’s first of Abraham will sing His praises and...the praises sacred to silence and nature. That which is not alternate boundless panoramas with exquisite hotel (Crater Lake Lodge, which would open of this wonderful lake and its environs.” worth climbing to see is not worth seeing.” closeups of the tremendous caldera and its in 1915); stocked the lake with row boats, tour Olympian sapphire.” 6 Crater Lake Hit by Lasers Resulting Images are Proving Valuable

In the summer of 2010, the presence of three small airplanes the surface. For geologists, this map contains a treasure trove over Crater Lake National Park caused visitors to scratch their of information. It shows subtle topographic details that had heads. For a week, the planes flew long, parallel paths across not been recognized before, such as flow patterns and cooling the sky, a few thousand feet above the ground. The entire time, features in the ash deposits from the eruption that formed Cra- This overhead view lasers aboard each aircraft bombarded the park’s plants, rocks, ter Lake. It also reveals where faulting has occurred, which can of Wizard Island was and visitors with more than five billion pulses of light—at the be helpful in evaluating future earthquake hazards. The U.S. produced using lidar rate of 83,000 hits per second. Fortunately, the infrared light was Geological Survey has published a poster that explains some of data. Its high resolution harmless and invisible, which is why the curiosity of onlookers the discoveries in detail. It’s for sale at both visitor centers for is allowing geologists never turned to concern. Little did everyone realize, though, $4.99 or can viewed online at: http://pubs.usgs.gov/sim/3223. to study the contours that important scientific work was being conducted above and dynamics of them. Today, three years later, the results of this “lidar” survey Other scientists are using the 2010 survey to study the park’s individual lava flows. A spectacular lidar map are beginning to yield big benefits to park researchers and staff. forests. By plotting all of the returned beams of light (and of the park’s entire surface can be viewed online: not just the ones that reached the ground), they can generate www.oregongeology.org/sub/lidardataviewer. Lidar is a technology that, among other things, can provide three-dimensional maps of the forest and discern attributes high-resolution images of the Earth’s surface. It’s similar in such as canopy height, density of foliage, biomass, and even the concept to radar, but uses light waves rather than radio waves. species of individual trees. Amazingly, they can also distinguish lidar surveys at several Cascade Range volcanoes. The Federal At its essence, it’s just a way of making a whole lot of very accu- living trees from dead ones: live foliage returns a more intense Highway Administration also contributed funds; they will rate distance measurements. Distance is calculated by meas- signal to the lidar instrument, while dead leaves, trunks, and use the elevation data in repairing the park’s Rim Drive over uring the time it takes each pulse of light to return from the branches show weaker reflections. With these maps, park the next few years. Other partners included the Crater Lake ground (or whatever object it encounters first). The intensity managers plan to investigate patterns of tree mortality at Natural History Association, which donated money derived of the returning light can also be used to derive information Crater Lake (which has been increasing in recent years) to from purchases made by the public in the park’s visitor centers. about the object’s physical characteristics. For the data to be gain a better understanding of the factors involved and to meaningful, the position of the aircraft performing the survey help them assess different strategies for restoration. Another Around the world, lidar technology is now being used in a must be precisely known, which is why an onboard GPS unit project, currently underway, is looking at burned areas to learn myriad of ways, from detecting snowflakes falling through the pinpoints the plane’s coordinates twice every second. how variables such as elevation, fire severity, and the passage atmosphere of Mars, to discovering the temples of ancient of time affect different aspects of forest regeneration. civilizations in Central America, to predicting how storm In 2010, each square meter of the park was struck, on average, surges and sea level rise will affect coastal cities. Wherever it’s by eight pulses of light from above. Some of these pulses re- Crater Lake’s “laser attack” was funded primarily by the U.S. employed, its ability to provide detailed information about flected off the forest canopy, but many found gaps in the foliage Geological Survey, which received stimulus money through the diverse landscapes is proving to be a boon to scientists, plan- and hit the ground, enough to produce a richly detailed map of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to pay for ners, and managers. VAN R. KANE, UNIV. OF WASHINGTON VAN R. KANE, UNIV. OF WASHINGTON

With special software, lidar data can be used to create detailed images of the forest canopy. Each colored dot represents a spot where a beam of laser-generated light encountered an object (evergreen needle, tree branch, blade of grass, etc.) and was reflected back to the aircraft overhead. The colors represent different elevations above sea level. Clusters of red dots indicate the crowns of the tallest trees. With these maps, the park will be able to locate and assess the condition of its largest trees, such as the Douglas fir pictured right, which provide important habitat for threatened species, including the northern spotted owl. © BRYAN CHERNICK Rare Fox Found in Park DNA Resembles That of Imperiled California Population

If you happen to spot a fox this summer trot- Ice Age. Warming temperatures after the done on mountain foxes; the lack of data ting along the rim of Crater Lake, you will Ice Age pushed the foxes uphill, where they makes it difficult for scientists to assess the likely be seeing one of the rarest mammals in evolved into genetically distinct subspecies. threats against them and assist in their recov- North America. Scientists have recently deter- Until recently, Oregon’s mountain foxes were ery. That might change later this year, if the mined that the park’s red foxes are most likely assumed to be part of the Cascade subspecies, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determines that members of the Sierra Nevada subspecies, a found in Washington State. the subspecies warrants protection under the type that may soon be listed as threatened or Endangered Species Act of 1973. If the fox is endangered by the federal government. This The lineage of a red fox can’t be distinguished listed, funding for research will increase. In discovery is good news for an animal whose by looks alone; genetic testing is required. the meantime, Crater Lake staff are deploying entire population, just a few years ago, was In 2012, researchers at Crater Lake set up a additional “hair snares” this summer to gather thought to consist of perhaps just 20 indi- number of motion-sensitive cameras at loca- more DNA evidence to provide definitive viduals near Lassen Peak in California. tions throughout the park. Across from each identification of the subspecies. Scientists need your photos! This red fox was camera, on a tree trunk, they hung a scented spotted along the East Rim Drive by park visitor Bryan Chernick from Bothell, Washington. © TOM KOGUT lure (typically an animal carcass found You can help! If you see a fox in the park, along the highway). They then attached wire snap a photo, make a note of the exact loca- brushes to the trunk, hoping to snag a few tion, and contact a park employee as soon Your best chance of seeing a red fox is to hairs from any animal that came by later to as possible. A photo is essential, since many search at dawn or dusk, in open meadows investigate. At one of these “hair snare” sites, fox sightings turn out to be coyotes, weasels, and ridge tops along the rim of Crater Lake. a red fox left behind some fur. Last winter, or marmots. (Coyotes have short tails with They are nocturnal hunters, with a diet of DNA analysis performed at the University of a black tip; foxes have long, bushy tails with pocket gophers, mice, voles, and ground California, Davis, revealed that the donor fox a white tip.) Do not approach the animal, squirrels. Female mountain foxes give birth is related to California’s mountain foxes and and do not attempt to lure or feed it. Foxes to two or three pups at a time, in the spring, not those of Washington. are quickly acclimated to human handouts, usually in natural cavities in rocky slopes. At which increases their risk of car collisions about three months of age, the pups begin The discovery of Sierra Nevada red foxes at and contact with domestic dogs. exploring their parents’ home range, often Crater Lake is welcome news to scientists. It in daylight. By October or November, they increases the known range of this most at-risk are fully grown and disperse to establish subspecies, now thought to be found all the their own territories. Like humans, they are Red foxes are not always red—most at Crater way north to the Columbia River. Even so, believed to be mostly monogamous. Lake have fur ranging from silver to black. No the number of foxes remaining is anyone’s matter the color of their coat, all red foxes have guess. They live in remote areas, at elevations The example of the red fox shows how little a long tail with a white tip. of 5,000 feet (1,520 meters) and above. In the we know about the park’s native wildlife. Few decades ahead, climate change is predicted to species in the park have ever been surveyed The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is the most widely shrink their habitat even further, driving them or intensively studied. If the Sierra Nevada distributed terrestrial carnivore in the world, up to isolated mountaintops and perhaps subspecies is placed on the Endangered Spe- found across North America, Europe, Asia, subjecting them to inbreeding. Other poten- cies List, it will indicate that prospects for the and northern Africa. While thriving as a spe- tial threats include disease transmission from animal are bleak. On the other hand, listing cies, however, several of its subspecies are domestic dogs, trapping by humans (illegal in would bring much-needed funding for re- in peril. Of the 10 subspecies that occur in California but still allowed in Oregon), and search and recovery. The park is home to sev- North America, three are found only at high competition from coyotes, who might also eral other species—such as the black-backed elevations in the Rocky Mountains, Cascade move uphill in response to warmer weather. woodpecker and Oregon spotted frog—that Park staff use infrared, motion-triggered Range, and Sierra Nevada. These “mountain cameras to survey for nocturnal wildlife. are up for consideration in the next few years. foxes” were derived, it’s believed, from a Yet the biggest threat to the survival of these This animal’s white-tipped tail identifies Watch the news to find out if they, along with single source population that was widespread foxes might be our lack of understanding it as a red fox. the mysterious, elusive Sierra Nevada red fox, in the western United States during the last about their ecology. Few studies have been are afforded federal protection. 7 mation, visit www.craterlakeskipatrol.org. 6 days each winter. service of For more infor and avalanche safety inexchange for at least search and rescue, map and compass use, training inwilderness first aid, survival skills, identifiable by their bright red parkas, receive cross-country ski trails since 1983.Members, winter visitors and maintaining the park’s The Crater Lake Ski Patrol has beenassisting www.friendsofcraterlake.org. and much more. For more information, visit build and maintain trails, contact visitors, 1993. Members remove non-native plants, Lake, anon-profit organization founded in periodically, join The Friends Crater of To assist with special projects or volunteer months or more service. of are provided free housing inexchange for 3 advertised at www.volunteer.gov. Volunteers and monitoring projects. Opportunities are interpretive programs, and assist with research the year to help visitor staff centers, present Full-time volunteers are needed throughout a Crater Lake VIP(Volunteer-In-Parks). Consider sharing your time and talents as Looking for ahands-on way to help the park? Volunteer Your Time programs, visit www.nps.gov/crla/slc.htm. the Science and Learning Center and its and classroom. For more information about them to usethe park asanoutdoor laboratory Lake from around the world, encouraging draws researchers and educators to Crater artists. The Science and Learning Center space for visiting scientists, teachers, and buildings now provide living and working Naturalist’sand Chief Residence. These the original Superintendent’s Residence historic structures near Park Headquarters: opened in 2006 and consists two of renovated Science and Learning Center. The center ment that funds the operation the of park’s Money from plate sales goes into anendow- www.oregon.gov/ODOT/DMV for details. registration. Visit any Oregon DMV office or buying anew vehicle or renewing your Crater Lake plates at any time, notjust when supporting park projects. You canpurchase your carwith these beautiful plates while For aone-time charge $20,you of canoutfit Crater Lake license plates for your vehicle. youIf live inOregon, consider choosing License Plates Buy CraterLake Support Your Park Ski Patrollers Volunteer Science and Learning Center Science andLearning - Crater LakeTrust Contribute tothe Share Your Comments Park, P.O. Box 7,Crater Lake, OR97604. to: Superintendent, Crater Lake National [email protected], or write form at avisitor center, send ane-mail to feedback inseveral ways. Ask for acomment on how best to manage it. You canprovide your national park, and we value your input suggestion, we’d like to hear from you! This is Whether you have acompliment, concern, or purchased by phone by calling 541-594-3111. www.craterlakeoregon.org. Items canalso be merchandise and to buy items online, visit described to the right. For acomplete list of paper! Some the of bookstores’ offerings are projects, including the printing this of news- sales goes to fund avariety important of programs. Money generated from bookstore support the park’s educational and scientific non-profit organization established in1942 to Crater Lake Natural History Association, a visitor center bookstores are operated by the purchase are invested back into the park. The Rim Visitor Center, all proceeds from your When you shop inthe Steel Visitor Center or Center Bookstores Shop intheVisitor deductible gift. Share your love the of park by making atax- or write to P.O. Box 62,Crater Lake, OR97604. and its activities, visit www.craterlaketrust.org to Crater Lake. To learnmore about the Trust more than these half kids, it’s their first visit old-growth forests, and winter ecology. For hands-on science and learnabout wildlife, “Classroom at Crater Lake,” kids engage in students each year. In aprogram called the park for more than 5,000grade-school It helps support, for example, field trips to the park with surrounding communities. funds to support park projects and connect non-profit organization that raises private The Crater Lake National Park Trust isa CraterLake” “Classroom at Y ! u Yo — Thank — Headquarters. The tremendous snowfall is a result of our position at the crest of the Cascade Mountains. and snowy. Stormsfrom thePacific Oceandumpanaverageof43.5feet(13.2meters)snowatPark June, lateSeptember, andOctober, withperiodsofrainandsnow. sunnydaysalternate are long Winters ed inclouds.July, August,andearlySeptember are your“bestbets”forwarm,dryweather. InMay, early Summers atCraterLakeare shortbutwarmandsunny. Evenso,there are days whenthelakeisshroud- Climate Chart Avg. Lake SurfaceTemp. (ºC) Avg. LakeSurfaceTemp. (ºF) Recommended Reading Avg. SnowDepth(inches) Average DailyHigh(ºC) Average DailyHigh(ºF) Average DailyLow(ºC) Average DailyLow(ºF)

Avg. Snow Depth(cm) National Park Service Avg. Snowfall(inches) FAHRENHEIT U.S. Dept. of the Interior CELSIUS Avg. Snowfall(cm)

Crater Lake National Park P.O. Box 7 Crater Lake, OR 97604 $22.95. human history. 280pages, account ofthepark’s rich A thoughtfulandthorough Park: AHistory Crater LakeNational guide. 153pages,$18.00. photo-packed, fact-filled and enjoyablewiththis Tree identificationiseasy Trees To Know inOregon pages, $12.95. and activitiesforkids.103 Fun, educationalpuzzles Activity Book National Park:AFamily Exploring CraterLake $14.95. hiking trails.112pages, A detailedguideto24 & Oregon Caves Trails ofCraterLake 48 pages,$5.95. of thesightsalongway. for adeeperunderstanding you drivethepark’s roads Consult thishandyguideas Lake NationalPark Road GuidetoCrater 168 pages,$15.95. the park’s geologicstory. A comprehensive guideto Gem oftheCascades Crater Lake: 48 pages,$11.95. text ofthispopularbook. captions accompanythe Large photoswithdetailed Behind theScenery Crater Lake:TheStory 203 102 259 Jan Jan 39 80 18 34 -8 4 1 102 260 211 Feb Feb 38 83 18 35 -8 3 2 Mar Mar 117 297 215 38 85 19 37 -7 3 3 Apr Apr 113 286 117 38 46 23 42 -5 3 6 May May

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