Winter fun at Crater Lake
Ashland Daily Tidings
Ashland, Oregon
January 6, 2005
By VICKIE ALDOUS
The 500 inches of snow that falls annually at Crater Lake National Park drives away the summer crowd, making now the perfect time to enjoy snowshoeing in the winter solitude.
For the snowshoeing novice, traveling on the webbed devices is as simple as walking, and requires about the same level of exertion as walking in sand.
Evan Hobbs (left), 23, of Ashland, and Adam Crossly, 23, of Eugene, take a break from snowshoeing at Crater Lake in December. The national park offers free guided snowshoe trips every weekend in winter. Photos by Jennifer Squires | Ashland Daily Tidings |
However, additional care is needed when snowshoeing at the park.
“The biggest safety tip is to remember that it’s much, much harder to breathe at higher elevations,” said Martha Hess, Crater Lake National Park assistant chief of interpretation. “It’s 7,100 feet at the rim. Your body is not used to that. It’s hard on your heart and for breathing. Be careful not to overdo it.”
The beautiful views are well worth some extra huffing and puffing. But remember to stay well back from the caldera rim, which can become hidden by deceptive snow overhangs that collapse unpredictably, according to park rangers.
“Never go close to the rim to get a better view of the lake. The problem is snow cornices. We’ve had people die from doing that,” said Hess.
From Thanksgiving until the end of March, park rangers and volunteers lead winter ecology snowshoe walks on Saturdays and Sundays. Participants can learn how animals and trees have adapted to survive the nine-month long winters at the park.
Meet at 1 p.m. in front of the Rim Village Visitor Center cafeteria.
Snowshoes are provided for free. Reservations are not taken, but large groups should call ahead. Children must be at least nine years old because of the size of the snowshoes. The one and a half-hour snowshoe walks rarely fill up, according to park rangers.
Visitors can guarantee that they will have snowshoes for a Crater Lake excursion by renting a pair from a local outdoor store before departing.
The Ashland Outdoor Store rents snowshoes for $10 the first day and $5 each additional day, with optional poles provided for free. McKenzie Outfitters in Medford rents snowshoes for $10 a day or $20 for a weekend.
Bringing your own pair also allows you to venture out on your own.
Wear waterproof boots, snow pants and layers of clothing on your upper body. Bring food as well as plenty of liquids.
For weather and road condition information at the park, call 594-3000.
Current information, including the forecast and road conditions, also is available on the Internet at www.nps.gov/crla/crlaci.htm.
Call 594-2211 ext. 401 for group snowshoe walk reservations at the park. The regular entry fee is waived during the winter, Hess said.
Other pages in this section
- Writers on the Range: Panhandling in our national parks – November 21, 2005
- Anniversary: Altorfer – 50 years – November 20, 2005
- New parkway signs go up – October 21, 2005
- Latest park proposal still worries some – October 20, 2005
- Scientists gather to save pines – October 09, 2005
- Prescribed burns planned at Crater Lake – October 4, 2005
- Crater Lake pines in peril – October 01, 2005
- ‘Rockin’ in the Klamath Basin – September 26, 2005
- Park rangers cleared in camper’s shooting death – September 23, 2005
- Seismic monitoring stations wanted at Crater Lake – September 17, 2005
- Editorial: Don’t let parks become political battleground – September 15, 2005
- Proposal: Parks need an update – September 6, 2005
- Hike of the Week: enjoy solitude, panorama on top of Crater Peak – September 2, 2005
- Spending a night on Crater Lake’s Wizard Island – September 04, 2005
- Longtime Crater Lake ranger retires – September 02, 2005
- Basin residents honor Crater Lake – August 26, 2005
- Oregon Governor just another tourist – August 26, 2005
- Crater Lake bicycle ride: 100 years, 100 miles – August 25, 2005
- Kulongoski, Walden in town for Oregon quarter celebration – August 23, 2005
- Jack Batzer dies after a household accident – August 22, 2005
- Crater Lake plates boost park funds – August 20, 2005
- Teens rehabilitate trails near Crater Lake – August 18, 2005
- Rim runs, marathon an oxymoron – August 15, 2005
- Bricco wins despite pain – August 14, 2005
- Hawkes wins marathon – August 14, 2005
- Layne claims victory in first trip to Crater Lake Rim Runs – August 14, 2005
- Hill, Glidden remember ’84 race well – August 13, 2005
- Parking a concern at Rim Runs – August 11, 2005
- Crater Lake National Park has seven rangers with authority to carry guns – August 02, 2005
- Man shot at Crater Lake arrested a year ago – August 02, 2005
- Ranger details Crater Lake shooting – July 30, 2005
- Ranger shoots violent camper at Crater Lake – July 29, 2005
- Teachers wanted for outdoor science school workshop – July 26, 2005
- Construction Projects Update – June 30, 2005
- Make the most of Crater Lake quarter – June 02, 2005
- Mint strikes Oregon quarter – May 27, 2005
- Celebrations planned for state quarter –
- Construction projects beginning at Crater Lake – May 24, 2005
- Multiple construction projects Begin! – May 23, 2005
- Since you asked: It would take centuries to drink up Crater Lake – May 6, 2005
- Officials unveil plan of action for tourism – April 27, 2005
- Postcards from the camps – April 25, 2005
- Wintery classroom at Crater Lake National Park – April 25, 2005
- Festival blooms in Jacksonville – April 7, 2005
- Project to Rehabilitate Rim Village Begins! – April 01, 2005
- Courses set on Karuks, bats, Crater Lake biology – March 21, 2005
- Education Afoot: a local teacher takes the lesson out of doors – February 7, 2005
- Streamflow signs buried in the snow – February 1, 2005
- How Rogue forest began – January 30, 2005
- Crater Lake ski races set for this weekend – February 02, 2005