Crater Lake, pounded with snow, open for snowshoe walks

Zach Urness | Statesman Journal

Crater Lake National Park has been transformed into something resembling the inside of a snow globe the past few weeks.

Oregon’s only national park has been pounded with more than 130 inches of snow since Dec. 9, wreaking havoc on the surrounding roadways.

But park officials wanted to make clear that despite the winter storms, the Steel Visitor Center is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the holiday season except on Dec. 25.

That means anyone interested in exploring the United States’ deepest lake surrounded by a winter wonderland — either on snowshoes or skis — will have the chance during these holiday weeks.

Ranger-led snowshoe walks are being offered every day from Dec. 26 to Jan. 3. The walks start at 1:00 p.m., last two hours, and cover one mile of moderately strenuous terrain. Snowshoes are provided. Visitors must register for snowshoe walks in advance by calling the visitor center at (541) 594-3100.

“While these last few storms have been severe, this is exactly what we are supposed to see at Crater Lake in winter,” Crater Lake superintendent Craig Ackerman said. “We’ve had to temporarily close some roads, but the park, including the visitor center, remains open. And when the weather clears, we’ll have a great foundation for winter recreation like skiing and snowshoeing.”

Highways 62 and 230 have been alternating between being open and closed during the past few weeks, so anybody making the trip is advised to call the visitor center at 541-594-3100 or check the park website, www.nps.gov/crla, for current conditions.

Snowfall is expected to lessen going into this weekend, which will speed efforts to reopen park roads.

For more information, contact Jennifer Evans at jennifer_evans@nps.gov or (541) 594-3002.