Date: September 13, 2016
Contact: Jennifer Evans, 541-594-3002
East Rim Drive Open to Nonmotorized Recreation on September 17 and 24
Crater Lake National Park, in partnership with Discover Klamath, will host the fourth annual Ride the Rim days on September 17 and 24, 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.
Portions of West Rim Drive may 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.
For more information visit www.RideTheRim2016.com.
