The account of a visitor to Crater Lake via private automobile during the summer of 1914 provides insight relative to park visitors’ experiences during this period. The account, which was published in the December 1914 issue of the Ladd & Bush Quarterly, read:
In the summer, traveling in an automobile at a comfortable speed, the trip can be made from Salem to the lake in three days. . . .
The start from Medford should be made in time to reach Prospect for luncheon. Prospect Hotel meals will give satisfaction to the hungry traveler, and its kitchen, presided over by Mrs. Grieves, the mistress of the hotel, although in the mountains, is a model for convenience and cleanliness.
The first thirty miles the road is fine and one can “burn ’em up” if he is so inclined, but the remaining fifty miles cause a wish that an earlier start had been made, and if Rim Camp can be reached before dark it will be luck. Theoretically Mr. McMahon and the Supreme Court were probably correct, building a Crater Lake road is not a proper subject to collect taxes for from the whole state, but, after one has spent an afternoon bumping along that road, he will wish we were not such strict constructionists. At Rim camp the room will be in a tent, not half bad for a change. The new hotel is in process of construction, but at the rate it has progressed in the past, and considering that the snow got so deep and heavy last winter that it caved in the roof, the prospects for its being open in another year are not encouraging. . . . Many view the scenery from the rim and tell of its wonders, but they have seen little of what is there. By far the best view is from the lake and a whole day can be spent on it before it can be half appreciated. . . . At present the crest generally is passable for a pedestrian, who can follow it almost continuously around the lake, although it is a tedious and difficult trip, too much so to be undertaken by the usual visitor.
Rim Camp trail is down a depression carved in the rim by the sliding of the avalanches of ages. The trail winds back and forth, extending the distance to travel, but by so doing relieving the grade to some degree. Going down is the most difficult and dangerous, as the descent is steep and there is a risk of slipping. Most people fear the trip up, but by climbing leisurely it can be made with no risk and a limited amount of exertion. On reaching the water edge the blue of the water first absorbs attention; artists have in no way exaggerated it. The whole surface of the lake is of wonderful blues, shading from sky blue to deep indigo. One finds oneself ingeniously dipping up the water to see if it is really blue; it proves to be nothing more than plain water. The most prominent feature is Wizard Island, nearly two miles out in the lake. . . . As the boat ride progresses, the beauties of the lake, the continuous blue of the water, the ever-changing rim, bring before one new wonders. At several points along the edge cliffs 100 feet under the water can be seen, turning the blue water to pale green. The lake rim is composed of stratas of many colors, grays, browns, terra-cottas, creams, at places intense red beside various shades of greens. . . .
When the shades of night come on a fog quickly covers the lake and the lights become so deceptive that it is no longer possible to distinguish one portion of the rim from another. To prevent a boatman from becoming lost and being compelled to stay out all night, all are required to return to the landing by 5:30 P.M. From certain positions in the park the observer can see the base of the engulfed mountain rising about a thousand feet above the general crest of the range on which it stands, convincing more and more that there is probably truth in the supposition that above the lake once towered a lofty volcano.
Every Oregonian who can should visit Crater Lake. Its grandeur will well pay for the difficulties encountered in making the trip. But go while it is in its natural wildness, before railroads and other modern conveniences commercialize it and do not fail to go upon the water. [8]
On June 28, 1915, Crater Lake Lodge opened to the public. The building of cut-stone and frame construction contained 64 sleeping rooms and was described as having ample bathing and fire protection facilities. The lodge quickly became the focal point of visitor accommodations in the park. A branch of the general merchandise store at Camp Arant was located in the lodge building. Tents were also available at the lodge as sleeping quarters, meals being taken at the lodge. Anna Spring Camp continued to provide less expensive accommodations in its “well-floored tents.” (See below for hotel and camp charges and maps relating to the park in 1915.) [9]
