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Crater Lake National Park

Description | Ratings

Trails: Crater Lake National Park offers 85 km (51 miles) of ungroomed trails for cross-country skiing, including a 55-km trail around the crater. The rim trail is very hilly and is recommended as a three-day overnight ski trip for strong expert backcountry skiers. Two short trails are rated Easy, the remainder are Moderate to Extreme. Volunteer ski patrollers are on duty weekends and holidays. See the ski patrol website for trail details. The area has one of the heaviest annual snowfalls in the country, averaging more than 500 inches.
Caution: Avalanche hazard may exist in some areas.
Trail fees: Vehicle entry fee $10/7 days (2010)
Tel: 541-594-3100
Snow report:
Nearest town: Crater Lake, OR
Web site: Crater Lake National Park | Crater Lake Ski Patrol
Trail map: Available at the park and on the patrol website
Equipment rentals: No
Ski lessons: No
Other activities: Snowshoeing, telemarking
Facilities: Cafeteria, vault toilet
Lodging on site: Campground is open year-round. Crater Lake Lodges has 71 rooms at the crater's rim and 40 cabins at Mazama Village, 7 miles from the rim.
Lodging nearby: Klamath Falls has several hotels and other accommodations.
Tourism info: Klamath County Tourism | Southern Oregon Visitors Association
Weather forecast: Crater Lake
Location of trails: Crater Lake National Park is about 60 miles north of Klamath Falls and may require tire chains to access. In winter the park's north entrance is closed and roads around the rim are not plowed. Steel Visitor Center, on the south side of the park, is open year-round
Map of local region: Crater Lake National Park visitor center

Rate this XC Area

Number of ratings: 1
Average rating: 4.00  

Name of XC Area: Crater Lake National Park
Times that I have skied there: Several times
I last skied there in: Dec, 2000
Trails that I skied: West Rim, Hemlock, Stewart Falls, Pacific Crest So.
My favorite trails: Stewart Falls, Pacific Crest, West Rim, East Rim
Trail marking: Very good
Rating: 4 stars
What I liked: View of the lake is unsurpassed, true backcountry experience can be found anywhere in the Park.
What I disliked:
Comments: Crater Lake is unsurpassed for snow depth, snow condition, beauty, and varying terrain/trail choices. Once you've skied there, you will want to return.
When severe winter storms are present, plan on skiing on some of the lower elevation trails like East Rim, Mazama Loop, PCT So., Stewart Falls/Pumice Flat. Wind and visibility can be difficult at the Lodge area then. With the exception of East Rim, the terrain is also milder, which reduces skiers' risk during high avalanche conditions. Conditions are updated daily at the visitor information centers and volunteer ski patrollers are on duty weekends and holidays for visitors' assistance and trail maintenance. For in depth information, check the Crater Lake Ski Patrol web site.
Happy Trails

Submitted by: John Bellon, Crater Lake Ski Patrol
from: Klamath Falls
Date submitted: Jan 4, 2004

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