Crater Lake Snowshoe 1-23-26

Photos by Debi, Elisabeth and Kay

Ashland Hiking Home

Eleven adventurous Friday Mod hikers ventured up to Crater Lake for a three-mile RT snowshoeing expedition along the rim of this national park treasure in Oregon. The drive was smooth ‘sailing’ until tackling the final 10 miles on Highway 62E where we encountered icy patches. It was slow-going from there to the rim village. All arrived safely in appropriately equipped vehicles.

By the time we reached the rim parking, the lake was socked in with fog. A couple had just returned from a rim walk to report that the fog had just rolled in. Needless-to-say, we didn’t hide our disappointment, but intrepid adventurers moved on regardless. We tested yaktraks, but found them inadequate for the lumpy, icy surface with areas deep enough to sink in. Snowshoes did the trick.

We ventured along the rim up to the rim road turnout for the prime view of Wizard Island. Still freezing cold and heavy fog. The group huddled under a stand of trees out of the wind for lunch. Then ‘lo and behold’ the fog lifted to reveal the lake, Wizard Island, the distant side of the rim, and even Mt. Thielsen in the distance. Still freezing cold, we were ecstatic. There was something about being deprived of the iconic views that made the revelation of the lake and vista that much more exciting. We scattered about in a frenzy of picture-taking. Some of the group had not had this experience before, our newest hiker hadn’t been to Crater Lake for 30 years.

A very happy day, all in all, having experienced the extremes.

Report by Elisabeth
Photos by Debi, Elisabeth and Kay