Ashland & Southern Oregon - Washington, Oregon and the Pacific Northwest - page 670

( Jun-mid-Oct) You can hike and cross-country ski in the area, but most visitors just
cruise the 33-mile loop Rim Drive, which offers over 30 viewpoints as it winds around
the edge of Crater Lake. A paved side road on the east side leads to amazing views from
Cloudcap Overlook , almost 2000ft above the lake. Another nearby side road leads about
7 miles southeast to the Pinnacles , a valley of pumice and ash formations carved by
erosion into 100ft spires called hoodoos. Without any stops, it takes an hour to do this
drive (but you'll want to stop!).

Hiking
Crater Lake has over 90 miles of hiking trails, though some higher ones aren't com-
pletely clear of snow until late July. From the east edge of the Rim Village parking lot, a
1.7-mile trail leads up 8054ft Garfield Peak to an expansive view of the lake; in July the
slopes are covered with wildflowers. A strenuous 5-mile round-trip hike takes you to an
even better lake vista atop 8929ft Mt Scott , the highest point in the park. For a steep but
shorter hike, trek up 0.7 miles to the Watchman , an old lookout tower on the opposite
side of the lake that boasts one of the park's best views. For flower enthusiasts, there is
an easy 1-mile nature trail near the Steel Visitors Center that winds through the Castle
Crest Wildflower Garden Trail .
The popular and steep mile-long Cleetwood Cove Trail , at the north end of the crater,
provides the only water access at the cove. Two-hour boat tours (

888-774-2728;

www.craterlakelodges.com ; adult/child 3-11yr from $35/21; Jul-mid-Sep) are available; re-

serve ahead as these are popular.

Cross-Country Skiing
In winter, only the southern entrance road to Rim Village is kept plowed to provide ac-
cess to several Nordic trails. Rentals are unavailable, so bring your own skis. Snowshoes
are provided for free ranger-led snowshoe walks , which are held on weekends from
Thanksgiving through March. Only experienced skiers should attempt the dangerous,
avalanche-prone loop around Crater Lake, which takes two to three days and requires a
backcountry permit from park headquarters.

Tours

Crater Lake Trolley SIGHTSEEING TOUR
( 541-882-1896; www.craterlaketrolley.com ; adult/child 5-13yr $25/15; Jul-Sep) Two-hour
ranger-guided trolley tours that go all the way around the lake on Rim Dr, with occasion-
al stops. They leave from Rim Village; call ahead to reserve.