News Release

Crater Lake National Park to Host Ride the Rim Days 2017

Date: September 7, 2017
Contact: Marsha McCabe, [phone]

CRATER LAKE, OREGON – Crater Lake National Park, in partnership with Discover Klamath, will host the fifth annual Ride the Rim days on September 9 and 16, 2016. On these consecutive Saturdays, East Rim Drive from North Junction to Park Headquarters will be closed to motorized vehicles from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. to allow for nonmotorized recreation including biking, hiking, and running.
 
Superintendent Craig W. Ackerman said, “Ride the Rim has grown in popularity each year. It provides an opportunity to experience East Rim Drive in a unique way, under your own power, whether you’re on a bike or on your own two feet. It is a strenuous endeavor, but the rewards of a slower pace, opportunities for quiet reflection, and healthy, vigorous recreation make it a special experience for many people.”
 
Visitors on these days should expect a large number of bicyclists on park roads. Please ride and drive with caution and patience. Cyclists should ride single-file when sharing the road with motorists.
 
West Rim Drive will be open for travel, but portions will be unpaved and some pullouts will be inaccessible because of an ongoing road construction project. Park staff recommend that bicyclists avoid riding on West Rim Drive if possible, because of rough road conditions and increased traffic from Ride the Rim participants, shuttles, and other park visitors.  
 
Ride the Rim parking is at North Junction, Park Headquarters, and the Picnic Hill area of Rim Village. Participants are encouraged to share rides to help ease parking congestion.
 
A free shuttle will transport participants to the start of their Ride the Rim experience or to their vehicles at the end. The shuttle will run between North Junction, Rim Village, and Park Headquarters. This year, the shuttle will not carry bicycles in an effort to accommodate more people. A person or people from each party will need to remain with bicycles while members of their party park or retrieve vehicles. For single riders, there will be a limited bike valet at North Junction and Park Headquarters.
 
Lost Creek Campground will close on the nights of September 8, 9, 15, and 16 to accommodate volunteers working to support Ride the Rim. Mazama Campground will be open on these days.
 
The Spruce Lake and Blanket Creek Fires continue to burn in the park. At times, these fires have resulted in smoky conditions with reduced visibility and unhealthy air quality. However, recent rain has improved smoke conditions and tempered fire behavior. After consultation with the team managing the fires and examining the weather forecast, park staff anticipate conditions will be favorable for the event on Saturday. While smoke levels are currently improved and predicted fire behavior suggests smoke will be limited, a shift in wind can change smoke conditions at any time. Participants are encouraged to check weather and smoke forecasts and make decisions based on their personal needs. Smoke information is available at http://www.oregonsmoke.blogspot.com. Park staff will continue to monitor conditions and will halt activities if needed to ensure visitor safety. 
 
The North Entrance Road is projected to open by Saturday morning, September 9^th, prior to the beginning of the event. 
 
For more information visit www.RideTheRim2017.com.
 
 
 
 

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