Winema National Forest
Klamath Ranger District. There are approximately 40 miles of cross-country ski trails in the Klamath Ranger District. The longest is the Billie Creek Loop, which is approximately 6.6 miles long; the shortest is the South Rye Trail, which is less than 1 mile long. Recreation data show that an average of 7,100 people participate in cross-country skiing seasonally within the Klamath Ranger District. However, 1993-94 data reflect an above-average number of cross-country ski visits.
Chemult Ranger District. The Chemult Ranger District is located adjacent to portions of the eastern border of Crater Lake National Park. Currently there are no cross-country ski trails within the Chemult Ranger District near the park boundary (Parker pers. comm.).
Snowshoe Walks
Snowshoeing is an individual or guided interpretive activity in the park. Guided snowshoe walks are offered by the NPS twice daily on weekends, holidays, and during Christmas and spring breaks. Group walks are offered on weekdays by reservation. The primary purpose for guided snowshoe walks is to provide the winter visitor with a unique opportunity to view park resources from a perspective different than that experienced during the summer season. Guided walks are approximately 0.5 mile in length and originate at Rim Village. Snowshoes can be rented at the activity center. Snowshoeing is unrestricted throughout the park.
During the 1992-93 winter season, guided interpretive snowshoe walks were offered from Thanksgiving Day to March 28, 1993. On occasion, scheduled walks were canceled because the road to Rim Village was closed as a result of heavy snows or because no one signed up for the tour. (Taylor pers. comm.) Table 3-1 shows the number of tours given per month and the number of people in attendance. As shown, 58 tours were given during the 1992-93 season. A total of 312 visitors participated.
Snow Play
Snow play includes sledding, innertubing, tobogganing, and various other snow play activities. There are no designated or monitored snow play areas in the park; however, these activities do occur near Rim Village, in meadows or clearings, and along the roadside. Park policy does not restrict these activities; however, snow play is not an officially sanctioned activity in the park. The park does not support development of designated snow play areas because snow play is not an activity that provides the enhances the opportunity to experience the resources of Crater Lake National Park during the winter season. There are several snow parks, monitored and maintained by the U.S. Forest Service, located near the park.
Overnight Camping – Frontcountry
Frontcountry areas, by NPS definition, include developed areas of the park such as designated camping areas, Rim Village, Munson Valley, Mazama Village, and all other infrastructure. Currently, winter overnight recreational vehicle and car camping is allowed in Rim Village within a small designated area; however, no facilities are provided. Current NPS policy neither prohibits nor supports overnight camping in this area. The park staff does not keep records regarding visitor numbers; however, park staff estimates that the number of overnight visitor parties generally ranges from zero to three per night. Some concern exists regarding the safety of overnight camping in Rim Village, because snow storms can trap vehicles or leave roads impassable. No frontcountry camping facilities (i.e., developed campgrounds and sanitary facilities) are currently provided, because of high snow levels.
