Crater Lake National Park Hiking
Welcome to the Crater Lake National Park Hiking Here you will find information on hiking trails for day hikes and backcountry exploration, biking paths, and wilderness areas of interest for hikers.
Biking
Each year, increasing numbers of cyclists come to Crater Lake National Park to ride around the lake on the 33-mile Rim Drive. The route is physically demanding. Steep hills at high elevation may encourage even the most fit riders to pause at many of the road's thirty overlooks and pullouts. The payoff, however, is spectacular scenery, seen at a pace that few visitors choose to take enough time for.
Rules and Safety Precautions
Cyclists must respect and obey all rules that apply to automobile traffic, including speed limits.Bicycle helmets are required. Cyclists face many hazards, including high speeds on steep downhill runs; rocks, animals, and other road hazards; and heavy traffic.Only cyclists experienced at riding with auto traffic should consider biking at Crater Lake
Park roads seldom have shoulders. Cyclists should use extreme caution, particlarly along narrow areas and blind curves. Wear bright, highly-visible clothing to help drivers see you. Bicycles are not permitted on park trails. All roads closed to automobiles are also closed to bicycles. For mountain biking, the Grayback Drive provides eight miles of unpaved, one-way road. Cyclists unaccustomed to high altitudes may find that the elevation makes for difficult breathing.Water is available only at Rim Village and Park Headquarters
Camping
Cyclists on long tours are welcome to stay at either of the park's two campgrounds. Both charge a fee for camping; call the park for current rates. Mazama Campground, located near highway 62 at the Annie Springs entrance, offers 198 campsites, lodging, and a camper service store. It is generally open from mid-June to early October. Lost Creek Campground, located three miles off the East Rim Drive, is more isolated. It has 16 campsites for tents only, cold water faucets, and toilet facilities. Lost Creek is open from mid-July to mid-September. All routes into the park have long, steep grades. Because road conditions are unfavorable to cyclists most of the year, and because many roads are closed during the long winter, we recommend you plan trips only for the summer months of July, August, and September. Call the park for an update on road and weather conditions. Entrance stations provide maps and information during summer daytime hours. Fees are $10 to enter the park by automobile, or $5 per bicycle up to a maximum of $10 per family.
The Rim Drive
The most popular bicycle route at Crater Lake is the 33-mile Rim Drive. This road provides spectacular views of Crater Lake and the surrounding area throughout its length. The road is narrow with long, steep grades. Most cyclists start from the Park Headquarters area and ride around the lake clockwise. This direction puts one of the steepest and longest grades at the beginning of the trip
Fishing
All waters within Crater Lake National Park are open to fishing unless otherwise indicated below. No Fishing license is required within the boundaries of Crater Lake National Park. Fishing is allowed from May 20 through Oct 31; however, the lake can be fished year-round except when seasonal limitations prevent safe access. Fishing is allowed in the park from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset. All waters are restricted to use of artificial lures and flies only. No organic bait of any kind can be used in Crater Lake National Park. This includes live or dead fish, power bait, and fish eggs or roe Lake Regulations. There are no restrictions relative to size, number, or species taken. The lake can be fished year-round except when seasonal limitations prevent safe access. The only access to the lake is by the Cleetwood Trail located on the north side of Crater Lake where Cleetwood Cove provides about 1/4 mile of rocky shoreline for angling. Wizard Island is also open while boat tours are running.
Fishing is allowed from park boat docks except when a boat is within 200 feet of the dock. Private boats or flotation devices are not allowed on Crater Lake. Note Pack out your catch. Cleaning fish in the lake is prohibited.
Stream Regulations
Fishing is prohibited in Sun Creek starting three miles upstream from the junction of Sun Creek and the park boundry, and extending three miles upstream, as posted. Sun Creek is protected habitat for endangered Bull Trout.
State regulations are enforced for stream fishing in Crater Lake National Park.
Fish in Crater Lake
In 1888 William G. Steel, considered the founder of Crater Lake National Park, made the first recorded attempts to stock Crater Lake. National Park Service researchers believe that before that time, Crater Lake contained no fish. William Steel's motive for stocking the lake was probably to improve the lake's recreational value. Around the turn of the century, a regular stocking program was begun. Stocking continued through the early part of the century until creel censuses showed that the fish were naturally reproducing. Six species were introduced to Crater Lake during this time. The last recorded stockings were silver salmon in 1937 and rainbow trout in 1941. Later investigations revealed that the naturally reproducing silver salmon were actually kokanee salmon. Since kokanee were not intentionally introduced, researchers believe that one of the plantings of silver salmon fingerlings was actually kokanee. Of the six species introduced, two remain: Kokanee Salmon and Rainbow Trout. Kokanee Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) are a dwarf, landlocked form of sockeye salmon. Kokanee are the most abundant species in the lake, estimated to have a population well into the hundreds of thousands. An average kokanee is about 8 inches long, but some grow to as long as 18 inches. Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) are less abundant than the kokanee, but are typically larger. The largest documented rainbow trout from Crater Lake was a 6 1/2 pound, 26 inch long specimen caught by the park research team. Most rainbows average 10 to 14 inches. Rainbow trout and kokanee salmon populations are stable in the lake. Researchers believe that this stability is due to each fish species eating different foods. Kokanee feed on zooplankton and rainbows feed on aquatic insects. Although the lake is by far the park's largest body of water, fish also inhabit many of the small streams within the park. These streams are generally not accessible because of the steep canyons in which they are found. According to stocking records, two species, eastern brook and rainbow trout, were planted in park streams. However, a total of four species have been identified. Eastern Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) have been found in almost every park stream. Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were originally planted in large numbers throughout the park. Today, it appears that their numbers are few and scattered. They have been collected in recent years from Annie, Bybee, Castle, Munson, and Sun Creeks. German Brown Trout (Salmo trutta), in recent surveys, had one representative specimen found in Sand Creek above the falls, which appears to be a barrier preventing upstream migration. Researchers believe that this fish may be the remnant of an unrecorded or unauthorized planting.Bull Trout (Salvelinus confluentus) are understood to be the only native fish species found within the park. These less competitive fish are a candidate species under the Endangered Species Act, and are considered rare in the Southern Cascades. Programs to conserve this species are now being implemented.
Hiking
There are more than 90 miles of one-way and loop trails, including 33 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail as well as hikes up Mount Scott, Garfield Peak, and Crater Peak. It is also possible to hike to the lake surface on the Cleetwood Trail. of Crater Lake National Park. These are usually snow-free from mid-July to early-October. Just over 90% of the park is managed as wilderness, though these areas have yet to be designated as such. A permit is required for all overnight trips. Be prepared for sudden and extreme weather changes. Be prepared for the unexpected and carry extra food and water. Always carry raingear. Pack-out or bury human waste more than 200 feet from water. Stay on trails. Dogs and other pets, bicycles, and motor vehicles are NOT allowed on any park trails. Remember, elevations range from 6,000-9,000 feet- take it easy and have fun!
Crater Lake National Park is a special place and a federally protected area. To help preserve park resources and to protect yourself, please observe the following rules on park trails: Hiking or climbing inside the caldera is prohibited. Conditions within the caldera are extremely dangerous. The Cleetwood Trail is the only safe and legal access to the lake's shore. Dogs and other pets are not allowed on park trails. Pets often threaten small wildlife. Even well-behaved domestic pets leave scents that disturb the local wildlife. The park has also had many incidents of lost or injured pets who escape from their owner's control. Smoking is not allowed on any trail. Bicycling is permitted only on paved roads and the Grayback Drive. Feeding wild animals, including birds, is prohibited. Feeding animals is dangerous for you, bad for them, and harmful for the ecosystem. Please enjoy all wild animals from a distance. Stay on trails to protect vegetation and fragile hillsides. Shortcutting trails, particularly on switchbacks, can damage slopes, making them more susceptible to erosion and visual damage. Be prepared! Equip yourself with water, food, warm clothing, rain gear, and anything else appropriate to the trail you take. It is better to be over-prepared than under-prepared. Leave all rocks, plants and artifacts undisturbed for the enjoyment of future hikers.
Do not drink water from park streams or from the lake without properly treating it.
Scuba Diving
SCUBA divers in Crater Lake National Park face special challenges. For the dedicated diver, however, the lake also offers a unique experience. Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States, and one of the clearest fresh water lakes in the world. Keep in mind that Crater Lake is accessible for divers only from about June 15 through September 15 of each year due to our extreme snow conditions. Earlier or later dives may be possible, but cannot be guaranteed due to the variability of our weather.
Winter Walks and Skiing
Discover what it take to survive in an area that receives over 500 inches of snow and where winter last for nine months of the year! Every weekend throughout the winter season, park rangers and volunteers will be presenting ecology walks on snowshoes. Various stops are made along the tour route where the ranger will explain how park animals, trees and humans adapt to survive in this winter wonderland.
Leave natural features undisturbed. Take only pictures and memories. Allow everyone to experience the entire wilderness.Keep groups small. Smaller groups are less likely to disturb wildlife and other hikers. Stay on the trail. Taking shortcuts or ignoring switchbacks destroys vegetation, causes more rapid erosion, and can make trails dangerous for everyone. Keep voices low. Leave radios and tape players at home. Remember that the "leave no trace" guidelines are more than a set of rules. They are an attitude and a means of preserving wild lands and open spaces for everyone.
|
