Garfield Peak offers new vantage point to Crater Lake: Hikers can enjoy spectacular views from the top or stops along the way
Herald and News
Klamath Falls, Oregon
August 28, 2008
LEE JUILLERAT
H&N Regional Editor
CRATER LAKE — Familiar views of Crater Lake take on new vantages from the Garfield Peak trail, and that’s part of its allure.
It’s 1.7 miles from the trailhead just east of Crater Lake Lodge to the top of the 8,054-foot elevation Garfield, an elevation gain of almost 1,000 feet. While making the top might be a lofty goal for some, the trip can be shortened by stopping about a quarter mile short of the summit at viewpoints that overlook the Phantom Ship.
However far you go, go prepared. The well-tended trail, which opened late this season because of lingering snow, climbs steadily and is moderately strenuous.
That effort is frequently rewarded. While the lake views are the best payoff, the trail also provides unusual vistas of Crater Lake Lodge, the layered road that connects park headquarters with Rim Village, and Union Peak.
Plethora of plants
As the trail gains elevation it passes along a succession of plant communities. Even late in the season, the plants alongside the trail include clusters of umbellate pussy paws, rabbitbrush, Crater Lake currant, lingering lupine, green corn lily, pinemat manzanita and spreading phlox.
Among the trees, the whitebark pine are easily identifiable by their bleached out trunks and branches, victims of whitepine blister rust disease, along with healthier stands of mountain hemlock, Shasta red fir and ponderosa pine.
At several stops, examples of volcanic breccia, yellow-tinted pyroclastic fragments cemented together, seem weirdly but wonderfully out of place.
Still, the trail’s true attraction is the lake. At some overlooks, Wizard Island seems to float in the lake. At others it appears close enough that one long step off the trail would end nearly 2,000 downhill feet later in the lake. Further up, about a mile from the trailhead, the trail bends to offer startling views of Phantom Ship, the remnants of a 400,000-year-old dike, and Dutton Cliff. At the third of four overlooks, a rock bench provides a stop for contemplation, or a water break.
Best in the afternoon
Because of the play of afternoon light, the trail is best taken in afternoon, the later the better as the lowering sun creates a softly muted kaleidoscope of shifting colors. Along with snacks and water, bring a camera, and use it.
Although photo stops and water breaks are more naturally and easily taken on the hike up, pause and soak in the sights on the way down. You don’t have to be atop Garfield to take a peak at Crater Lake.
Jude Francis of Klamath Falls enjoys a view of Crater Lake from Garfield Peak.
Herald and News photo by Lee Juillerat
Other pages in this section
- Beetle Outbreak Threatens Park Trees: Researchers Say Global Warming to Blame – Summer/Fall 2008
- Ranger-Guided Snowshoe Walks – November 27, 2008
- New USGS Geologic Map of Mount Mazama and Crater Lake Caldera, Oregon – November 24, 2008
- Crater Lake snow total back to average level – November 5, 2008
- Crater Lake seeks volunteers – November 3, 2008
- Rim Drive at Crater Lake closes for season – November 3, 2008
- Hands and Hoofs: Horse Group helps Crater Lake Ski Patrol mark winter trails – September 18, 2008
- Ski patrol volunteers needed at Crater Lake Park – October 10, 2008
- Parts of wilderness area, Crater Lake park reopen: Cooler weather, rain help firefighters control Middle Fork Fire – October 9, 2008
- Crater Lake facilities closing down: Crater Lake Lodge to close Sunday for the season – October 7, 2008
- Meeting set on Middle Fork Fire – September 23, 2008
- Middle Fork wildfire hits 17,869 then slows down – September 23, 2008
- Weather helps Royce Butte Fire – September 20, 2008
- Fire burns into Crater Lake: Growing Middle Fork fire spreads into remote portion of the park – September 20, 2008
- William “Bill” Hopkins – September 19, 2008
- Middle Fork blaze heads toward Crater Lake – September 19, 2008
- Rattle Fire keeps highway 138 closed for weekend – September 12, 2008
- Hiking trails closed down by wildfire – September 11, 2008
- Family fun day planned at Crater Lake – September 11, 2008
- King of Jordan, ‘Lost’ actor among celebrities at Crater Lake – September 3, 2008
- Remembering Emil, the forgotten Britt: his life was spent in the shadow of his father’s fame – August 24, 2008
- Meissner, Shelton take Crater Lake run – August 10, 2008
- The road to Crater Lake – July 27, 2008
- Crater Lake swimming chilly – July 16, 2008
- Exploring the “Other Half” of Our National Parks: Stargazing Under Protected Dark Skies – June 14, 2008
- Wildfire filling sky with smoke: Fire near Crater Lake is 1,700 acres – September 10, 2008
- Crater Lake: Taking the Plunge – September 4, 2008
- Garfield Peak trail guide – August 28, 2008
- Crater Lake National Park: Trees, wildflowers, dazzling views on trail to Crater Peak – August 14, 2008
- Plenty of backcountry solitude – August 14, 2008
- Crater Lake boat tours to resume – August 13, 2008
- Crater Lake needs volunteers – August 11, 2008
- Locals Impress: Area runners win 2 short runs – August 10, 2008
- Meissner, Shelton win Crater Lake marathons – August 10, 2008
- Mazama Village to be back to normal – July 23, 2008
- Fire Contained at Crater Lake – July 22, 2008
- 50 spots remain for Crater Lake Rim Runs – July 20, 2008
- Crater Lake; Rim Drive opens today – July 11, 2008
- Crater Lake Rim Run spots going – June 24, 2008
- Crater Lake north entrance opened, but caution urged – June 21, 2008
- Many Crater Lake services open, despite snow – June 10, 2008
- A Tribute to Steve Robinson – Spring, 2008
- Crater Lake’s new boss fulfills a lifelong dream – May 04, 2008
- A Look back at history: Programs focus on history of Southern Oregon – April 25, 2008
- Crater lake has new superintendent: Craig Ackerman will move from the Oregon Caves National Monument – March 5, 2008
- Oregon law could nix proposed water agreement – March 5, 2008
- Crater Lake contaminated, new study suggests – February 28, 2008
- Airborne Contaminants Found in Western U.S. and Alaskan National Parks – February 28, 2008
- Airborne Contaminants Study Released Measurable Levels Detected in Twenty Western National Parks – February 26, 2008
- What to do: Crater Lake rangers guide free hikes – February 23, 2008
- Crater Lake story will air – February 9, 2008
- Park rangers undaunted by weather – February 8, 2008
- TV crew makes trek to Crater Lake’s rim – February 8, 2008
- ODOT worker hurt when tree crushes pickup truck – February 4, 2008
- TV crew headed to Crater Lake – February 6, 2008
- Park Ranger Ken Hay Retires – January 28, 2008
- Crater Lake offers 90-minute winter tours: Park rangers lead free treks in park on Saturdays – January 24, 2008
- Laurels go to retired Crater Lake official: Dinner given for former park superintendent Chuck Lundy – January 21, 2008
