Guided hikes unique Crater Lake experience
From our weekly issue dated December 23, 2009
Ranger-guided snowshoe hikes are fun for the entire family. (Photo provided by David Grimes, National Park Service)
Crater Lake National Park announced that its popular free ranger-guided snowshoe walks with snowshoes provided at no charge will continue through April 25.
Walks will be led Saturdays and Sundays at 1 p.m. Additional walks are offered daily from Monday, Dec. 28 through Friday, Jan. 1.
Crater Lake is one of the snowiest inhabited places in the country, receiving an average of 44 feet of snow per year. Ranger-led snowshoe walks are a fun way to explore this winter wonderland while learning how the park’s plants, animals, lake are shaped by the forces of winter, officials said.
Ranger-guided snowshoe walks at Crater Lake last 90 minutes to two hours. Although snowshoes are provided free of charge, visitors can bring their own. No previous snowshoeing experience is necessary. Besides no cost for the tour, the park does not collect an entrance fee during winter months.
The walks take place at an elevation of 7,100 feet. They cover approximately 1 mile of moderately strenuous terrain, through forests and meadows and along the crater rim. Participants should be at least 8 years old, in reasonably good physical condition, and come prepared with warm clothing and water-resistant footwear.
Space on each tour is limited, and advance reservations are recommended. For more information and to sign up, phone (541) 594-3100. The visitor center is open daily in winter from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. School groups, outdoor clubs, and other groups of 10 or more people can arrange for a special snowshoe walk. Walks for organized groups are available on weekdays at 1 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays at 10 a.m.
Crater Lake National Park is open year-round, 24 hours a day. The park’s west and south entrances are plowed and open to automobiles throughout the winter. The Rim Village Cafe & Gift Shop is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The park offers many miles of trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
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