The Pacific Crest Trail stretches from the Mexican to Canadian borders along the mountainous crest of the Cascades and Sierra Nevada. Thirty-three miles pass through Crater Lake National Park, offering through-hikers magnificent views of the lake.

“If you have never gazed down on Crater Lake, reform! Visit it for your own good.” These were the words of J. Hazard in his 1946 book describing Pacific Crest Trail. At that time, Crater Lake was the finishing point on the Oregon Skyline trail. Today this 400 mile stretch from Mount Hood to Crater Lake is the oldest section of the Pacific Crest Trail. The idea for a trail on the west coast was first proposed in the 1920s, but it was not until 1972 that all 2,638 miles of the trail were completed and hiked for the first time.

The first National Scenic Trail was the Appalachian Trail, running from Georgia to Maine. Next came the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). Currently, there are 17 National Scenic Trails, 12 of them administered by the National Park Service. Some trails, like the PCT, pass through some of the most beautiful areas in the United States. Others trace routes of historical or scientific interest.

PCT hikers have always been able to explore vast areas of volcanic landscape in Crater Lake National Park. However, until recently they could get a view of the lake only by leaving the main trail and entering the developed Rim Village area.

In June 1995, an alternate trail opened which brings hikers right up to the rim of Crater Lake. Coming from the south, the trail ascends the Dutton Creek trail to the rim, then follows the edge of the caldera for six miles, with spectacular views. It then parallels the road from North Junction to Grouse Hill and rejoins the PCT.

The PCT passes through seven national parks, including Crater Lake. Each has its own rules governing backcountry users. Hikers should contact each park for details about local backcountry regulations.

Most hikers who wish to stay overnight in Crater Lake National Park must get a backcountry permit. Permits may be obtained at the Rim Visitor Center in Rim Village, or at the Steel Information Center in the Park Headquarters area. PCT through-hikers, alternatively, may sign the trail register as they enter Crater Lake National Park. Through-hikers who have signed the trail register do not need to obtain a backcountry permit.

For more information on backpacking in Crater Lake National Park, read our backcountry brochure.

No pets are permitted in the backcountry of Crater Lake National Park, including along the PCT. Although information distributed by the Pacific Crest Trail Conference may state that pets are allowed on all segments of the PCT, pets are not allowed on any section of the trail in Crater Lake, Mount Rainier, Lassen Volcanic, Yosemite, or Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Parks.

Stock are not permitted on the new alternate trail along the caldera rim. Access to the rim for stock remains via the Lightning Springs trail. You must bring sufficient feed for your animals. Grazing is prohibited within the park. For more information, read our brochure on stock use at Crater Lake National Park.

To reduce impact on the park's natural resources, camp at one of the park's designated camp sites: Grouse Hill, Red Cone, Lightning Springs or Dutton Creek. No camping is permitted on the alternate trail along the caldera rim. Camp sites are located at either end of the alternate trail at Dutton Creek and Grouse Hill.

Mail can be sent to the Mazama Village Store at Mazama Campground, or to the Crater Lake Post Office at Park Headquarters.

At the post office, mail will be kept only for 30 days. If you cannot arrive in time to pick up your mail, let the post office know by calling (541) 594-3115. Mail cannot be picked up on Sundays or after 3:00 pm.

Do not mail perishables. Liquid stove fuel may not be sent through U.S. Mail. Packages may not exceed 108 inches in length and girth or weigh more than 70 pounds each. All PCT hiker boxes must have a return address.

Send mail or supplies to:

Your Name, PCT Hiker
Mazama Village Store
(USPS:) P.O. Box 158
(UPS:) 700 Mazama Village Dr.
Crater Lake, OR 97604
Expected arrival date

Or:

Your Name, PCT Hiker
General Delivery
Crater Lake National Park
Crater Lake, OR 97604
Expected arrival date

You are welcome to mail non-perishable items from the Crater Lake post office to a future drop-off point. On the mailing label, write:

Your Name
General Delivery
Post Office
City, State ZIP

Short sections of the PCT may be completed within the park as day hikes. None are loop trails, so hikers must backtrack to their vehicles.

A long day hike is possible, but to do this, hikers need to have two vehicles. The PCT crosses Highway 62 south and west of the Annie Springs Entrance. It crosses the North Entrance Road in the Pumice Desert area. The total day hike covers 18 miles.

Distances between points in the park:   Highway 62 to Dutton Creek Trail Junction 2.1 miles Dutton Creek Junction to Lightning Springs Junction 4.2 miles Lightning Springs Junction to Crater Springs Junction 6.8 miles Crater Springs Junction to Boundary Springs Junction 1.6 miles Boundary Springs Junction to North Entrance Road 3.2 miles Average hiking time, Hwy 62 to North Entrance Road 7½ hours

Water is scarce in Crater Lake's backcountry. In a typical year, many sources are dry by late July or early August. Hikers should carry at least one gallon of water per person.

Possible water sources include Red Cone Springs, Lightning Springs, and major branches of Dutton, Trapper, Bybee, North Copeland, and South Copeland Creeks.

To obtain information about the entire Pacific Crest Trail, write to the Pacific Crest Trail Association or visit their site on the World Wide Web:

Pacific Crest Trail Association
5325 Elkhorn Blvd., # 256
Sacramento, CA 95842-2526

http://www.pcta.org

Rev. 11/2001 klb