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1986
In the mid-80s Eleven cow elk were trapped and radio-collared. Findings indicated that our herd spent springtime near Fort Klamath, summer in Park, fall/winter southwest of Park. Because they only tracked cows, insight on bull distribution was not provided.
1986 A section of rock wall on the back terrace of the aging Lodge collapses at about 2 a.m.
March 2 1986 The NPS considers a new alternative restoration program for the Lodge that calls for the tearing down of the 1920’s addition and the building of a new lodge, back from the Rim near the Cafeteria. Estimated cost of this project is set at $5.3 million, with the main historic part of the Lodge being turned into a dining hall and gift shop with an interpretive center being built on the second floor. The new lodge planned for Munson Valley would have 60 rooms and would eventually be expanded to 100 rooms.
Oregon Congressman Bob Smith announces that NPS Director William Mott was considering a Lodge proposal that removes the annexes and just keeps the original 1910 building.
March 5 1986 A five-man team flies into the Caldera to stay on the island to gather information on why the Lake water has become “cloudy”. Water samples and data during the winter were being gathered for the first time. The trip had been scrubbed two previous times because of bad weather. A new boathouse and living quarters was built on Wizard Island last summer in preparation for the team.
April 1986 The NPS announces that the cost of renovating the old Lodge outweighs its historic value, even though “there is a lot of sentimental value attached to the old building. The Lodge has limited architectural merit as a historical structure.” One alternative would be for the old building to be used only as a year-round visitor’s center, but unfortunately the building is located away from the center of Park activity at Rim Village.
Rep. Les AuCoin announces that objections to holding the 10th annual Crater Lake Rim Run has been resolved and the event will take place this summer as scheduled.
April 29 1986 Eric Allen, former MT editor writes in favor of preserving the historic Crater Lake Lodge. “It comes down to a sense of values. To one who has been familiar with the park for more than a half-century, who has slept in the lodge and eaten in its dining room, relaxed around the fireplace in the evening, and loves its mysteries and legends…to such a one, the idea of demeaning the lodge with cheap-jack solution, or destroying it altogether, seems a little short of criminal.”
1985 – 1986 Snowfall: 495 inches, 41 feet.
July 1986 NPS Director William Penn Mott makes an unannounced visit to the Lodge which leads to the preparation of further alternative plans for rehabilitating the building. Mott wanted to see controversial old lodge first hand. The Director eventually recommends partial restoration of the building, but remove the 1924 addition.
July 27 1986 Jan Zack, 72, dies of a heart attach during a false alarm while evacuating the Lodge.
August 3 1986 Three lightning caused fires on the west side of the Park, Castle Creek and Bald Mountain, burn 100 acres. The extremely dry weather severely strains the Park’s” let burn policy.”
August 12 1986 An 11 year-old boy, whose parents are Lodge guests, sets two trash can fires in the Lodge’s main public restroom. The newly installed fire alarm system empties the Lodge of 200 employees and guests at 8:30 p.m. The boy is caught and held by a male guest. The boy and his parents are asked to check out.
August 21 1986 10 fires reported smoldering in the Park. Some are allowed to burn -others are being attacked.
September 21 1986 Geothermal test drilling begins east of Crater Lake. The plan is to drill a 5,000-foot hole in two or three weeks.
September 24 1986 Early winter storms close down Rim Drive and forces the closure of the Rim Visitor Center.
Summer 1986 While examining a core sample taken from the Lake bottom, scientists discover a 1 to 1.5 inch white worm in the lake ooze. The deep-water worm lived for several days. Could be a new species.
Summer 1986 Superintendent Bob Benton proposes the moving of Park Headquarters to the Prospect area. “This would place it closer to schools and shopping.”
October 1 1986 A dozen Cold Water Cabins behind the Cafeteria are burned in anticipation of the new Rim Village planned redevelopment and Activity Center.
October 9 1986 Park Superintendent Robert Benton calls a petition drive to save the old Lodge premature. “We have not made a decision yet. At the present time we’re looking very carefully at costs and a number of alternatives, from keeping all of the lodge to keeping various portions.”
October 10 1986 Kent Taylor, new Chief of Interpretation E.O.D’s. Transfers in from Ft. Vancouver N.H.S.
October 26 1986 Park Superintendent Robert Benton announces a beautification effort for the Rim Village. 16 guest cabins from behind the Cafeteria were to be removed. “They were ugly, an eyesore, and they certainly were nothing to be proud of,” Benton says. He says he hopes that because of the improvements project visitors will see something more pleasant than what Benton calls an “asphalt jungle” when they enter Rim Village. “When People drive up now, the first thing they see is a big parking lot. We want to improve the rim area.”
Fall 1986 North Entrance Road to Crater Lake closed to allow the contractor to finish widening and repaving the road before winter storms set in.
Season 1986 The old 1932 Headquarters Building is extensively remodeled restored and renovated. The name is changed to the Merle Sager building. Mr. Sager was the landscape architect assigned to Crater Lake in the late 1920’s and early 30’s. Sager designed and built the rustic buildings in Munson Valley.
The 1932 Superintendent’s Residence designated as a National Historic Landmark.
Season 1986 32 fires burn 3,000 acres. One fire, the Castle Point Fire, burns over 1,000 acres
Season 1986 Visitation: 427,716 (Online says: 402,789)
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