EXISTING WINTER USES
Existing winter activities
Existing winter uses in Crater Lake National Park include:
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relaxation/contemplation of the natural scene,
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viewing the lake/sightseeing,
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winter camping (front- and back-country),
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guided and individual snowshoe walks,
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interpretive activities,
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cross-country skiing,
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photography,
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interpretive activities,
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snowshoeing, and
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limited snowmobiling.
Most winter visitors will continue driving to the rim and passively enjoying the lake. For an increasing number of visitors, other activities and overnight stays have become part of the experience. This plan will specifically address winter camping, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling. Winter snow play activities such as sledding and innertubing presently occur within the park but are not sanctioned or monitored uses. Winter snow play will be described briefly in this section but will not be addressed as a component of the WUP. Figure 2 shows the location of existing active winter recreation activities in Crater Lake National Park. Route numbers for existing and future snowmobile and ungroomed/groomed cross-country ski trails are provided for clarity.
Snowmobiling
Snowmobiling is allowed within Crater Lake National Park only from the north park entrance to the North Junction. This 9-mile stretch of road (Route Si), which is closed to vehicle traffic during the winter, leads from Oregon 138 to the northwest rim of Crater Lake (Figure 2). Snowmobilers using this route typically start at Diamond Lake, approximately 6 miles north of the park boundary. In addition, snowcoach tours originating in the Diamond Lake area use this route approximately 8 to 10 times per winter season. Information on snowmobile use will be derived from Diamond Lake Resort and the U.S. Forest Service. All but existing roads and developed areas in the park have been proposed as wilderness and will be managed under wilderness guidelines. Recreational snowmobile use is prohibited in wilderness areas.
Cross-Country Skiing
Cross-country skiing Cross-country skiing is the most popular active winter recreational activity in the park. There are approximately 70 miles of ungroomed, marked cross-country ski trails which include Rim Drive (Route UCI), portions of the Pacific Crest Trail (Route UC2), Lightning Springs Trail (Route UC3), the Pumice Flat Trail (Route UC4), the Raven Trail (UC5), and the Dutton Creek Trail (UC6). These trails are shown on Figure 2. Cross-country skiing in the rest of the park is unrestricted. The NPS uses 25-30 volunteers to patrol ski trails. Patrols occur primarily on weekends and holidays. The most popular ski route is the Rim Drive Trail, a 33-mile unplowed loop road around the lake. Cross-country ski equipment is rented at the Rim Village activity center by the park concessioner.
Figure 2. Existing Winter Use.
