My last-minute trip through Crater Lake was the last before the road was closed for the 2012 winter season. In the Dodge diesel truck it was no problem to get to the top and over the pass, but we saw a few small cars that weren’t having the best time doing it.
Crater Lake is the jewel of Oregon parks. This amazing geological feature is the best of its kind, and hiking it along the rim, or down in is something every true Oregonian should do. Its majesty stems from its history, and its history tells us what was once an active volcano is now a beautiful blue mountain lake.
The most common question asked of the rangers here is “are there any fish living in the lake?” Are they native? No. The fish that are in the lake, salmon and trout, were stocked there over 60 years ago, and have continued to thrive season after season. You don’t even need a permit to fish in the crater and there are no restrictions to how many you can catch. The “catch” is that you have to hike down and carry it all out.
If you didn’t make it to Crater Lake this year, put it on your to do list for next year.
travel. eat. hike. 