Name: Crater Lake 2025: Snowshoe its snow white rim, gaze its electric blue water
Start: 2025-01-19T05:00:00-08:00
End: 2025-01-19T18:00:00-08:00

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Crater Lake dazzles with its sapphire waters against the pure white snow Mother Nature offers. We hit it just right this year in January with sun, snowy rim and a relatively mild temperature. I've had to postpone this trip in other years either because of snow-closed roads or misty/cloudy weather that hides the lake.

So be warned, the date could change. I scheduled this on Martin Luther King's Birthday holiday so many will have the next day off. In winter, access is easy with plowed road to the main visitors center and facilities were open. Read that, restrooms, snacks, warmth, etc. Unless there are blizzard conditions, the roads seem to get lots of attention from the plow operators. However, after heavy snowstorms, Crater Lake roads can be closed for days. So beware.

I leave so early so that we are on the rim in snowshoes by 9:30 am, well before the crowds arrived, and while the snow is crisp. We stay until early afternoon before the drive back. I choose not to follow the crowds on the wide-open trail that is a snow-covered road. I stick close to the rim of the lake though I make sure to stay on safe ground.

The trip one-way is just over 3 hours via the Five, 97 and OR 62 west. It's another 20 minutes or so to get to the Rim visitor's center. I do this as a day trip.

We'll head out of Redding while it's still dark, breakfast at Black Bear Diner in KFalls about 7:30am and then hit the Park about 9:15. Be dressed for winter and in layers. Have snowshoes or x-country skis, a daypack, water, snacks, sunscreen, sun glasses, layers of clothing and what you’d wear a on winter day outside in the mountains. Then bring one more layer An option is to overnight near the park.

The closest accommodations are in Klamath Falls which is about and 75 minutes from the Park. Medford is an option but it's a good 45 minutes longer and I think the road is more difficult.

We’ll meet at 4:45am and leave at 5 am and it’s easier and more efficient to carpool. Park passes or a daily fee gets you into the park. I have a pass and others may as well.

We carpool and due to the drive and the potential for larger numbers, your carpool will become your own smaller contingent. You'll be able to plan your adventure when we get to the park, including your carpool's return time, etc., so keep in touch with each other.

For those meeting us along the way, use the timeline above to meet up with us if you wish. My cell is 530-949-6957. I expect cell service to be spotty at the Park but OK along the route at least to the turnoff from Hwy 97.

Bring your national parks pass if you have one. Otherwise it's about $20/vehicle to enter.

Weather will postpone the trip.

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Crater Lake 2025: Snowshoe its snow white rim, gaze its electric blue water

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Crater Lake 2025: Snowshoe its snow white rim, gaze its electric blue water

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