Ranger-Led Snowshoe Walks Resume

Date: December 3, 2010
Contact: Terra Kemper, [phone]
Contact: Marsha McCabe, [phone]

Crater Lake National Park is pleased to announce that our popular ranger-guided snowshoe walks are about to begin for the 2010-2011 winter season. The walks will take place every Saturday and Sunday at 1:00 p.m. from December 4 through April. Walks will also be offered daily from Monday, December 27 through Friday, December 31 at 1:00 pm. 

Crater Lake is one of the snowiest inhabited places in America, receiving an average of 44 feet of snow per year. Ranger-led snowshoe walks are a fun way to explore the park's winter wonderland while learning how plants, animals, and Crater Lake are shaped by the forces of winter. 

The walks last 2 hours and cover approximately 1 mile of moderately strenuous terrain, through forests and meadows along the crater's rim.  Participants should be at least 8 years old, be in reasonably good physical condition, and come prepared with very warm clothing and water-resistant footwear. Snowshoes are provided free of charge, or participants may bring their own. No previous snowshoeing experience is necessary.  There is no cost for the tour.  

Space on each tour is limited, and advance reservations are recommended. For more information and to sign up, call the park's visitor center at 541-594-3100. The visitor center is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. School groups, outdoor clubs, and other groups of 10 or more people can arrange for a separate snowshoe walk. Walks for organized groups are available on weekdays at 1:00 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays at 10:00 a.m. 

Crater Lake National Park is open year-round, 24 hours a day. The park's west and south entrances are plowed daily and open to automobiles throughout the winter.  The Rim Village Café & Gift Shop is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The park offers many miles of trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.