I went to Crater Lake last weekend for the first time and was very surprised by all the snow up there. All the roads in and out of there are bare and dry (no chains needed). When we got up to the Lodge (which is open) we couldn't see the Lake there was 25' snow drifts at the lodge. The Park Service had a Hydraulic Excavator up there and it pushed the snow away in a couple of places where we were able to climb a 10' snow bank to take a picture of the Lake. Blue sky sunshine 35* and the wind was howling. After we left we headed North to Diamond Lake, which was frozen and the Diamond Lake viewpoint road had too much snow on it so it was closed. All the other roads were bare and dry. We made a great choice by taking from I-5 the South Fork of the Umpqua River up most of the way up to the Lakes and we took the North Fork of the Umpqua River back to I-5 at Roseburg. We stayed at the RV Park in Canyonville, Oregon which set all time heat records for most of the time that we were there mid to high 80*s. None of that heat traveled East up toward the Lakes. Had fun except for all the ticks (are small dog got 5 ticks during are stay there) and the shooting range West of the RV Park which scared one of our dogs.

Did you notice the altitude?? spring comes late that high.

We had the same experience at Crater Lake our first time in 2007. We were driving up from California to pick up our new Dynasty in Coburg, OR. What an exciting trip!The lower elevations were clear, once we drove up to Crater Lake, the snow was so high we also couldn't see the lake. But, the snow was beautiful. A few years later, we were able to hit the area during the summer to see the lake clear and calm. The Lodge is also very nice.MM.

We were there mid June a few years ago. I have pics of my wife standing in front of 13ish foot snow on the side of the road. Views of Lake were unobstructed though. Great views!

We went in late June, and I was able to capture this shot which I now have framed in my living room:Even in late June, there was still quite a bit of snow in many places.Jim

My buddy went to Crater Lake for fourth of July back in 1988, and he has a picture of fresh snow on the small island on Crater Lake. Yes higher elevations are very cold in the late spring. I went to Grand Canyon for Thanksgiving in 1987, the first big trip with my F-350 and camper, that did not have a bathroom or furnace or water heater. It was really cold, with 1/2" of ice on the roads, 2" of snow, and so much fog that I could not see the canyon either. Went back to Laughlin NV, and it was warm enough for shorts and a t-shirt at 950' elevation on the Colorado River.Great memories. . Fred..

Crater Lake | Good Sam Community

12 Replies

holstein13
Explorer
May 03, 2016
I wanted to visit Crater Lake in June this year, but I found out the that campground doesn't always open in June because of the snow. So I booked for July 5th. Hopefully that nasty stuff will be gone by then.
J-Rooster
Explorer
Apr 26, 2016
Murphsmom wrote:
I'm glad we are waiting to go until September
I was told today by a gentleman that Crater Lake is over 7,000 feet in elevation. I did not know that when I headed up there last week.
donkeydew
Explorer
Apr 25, 2016
please keep the ticks as a remembrance. we have plenty to share.
RedRollingRoadb
Explorer
Apr 25, 2016
Murphsmom wrote:
I'm glad we are waiting to go until September
Was there in Mid August 1976 and woke up to several inches of fresh snow.
Murphsmom
Explorer
Apr 24, 2016
I'm glad we are waiting to go until September
J-Rooster
Explorer
Apr 24, 2016
Mr.Mark wrote:
We had the same experience at Crater Lake our first time in 2007. We were driving up from California to pick up our new Dynasty in Coburg, OR. What an exciting trip!

The lower elevations were clear, once we drove up to Crater Lake, the snow was so high we also couldn't see the lake. But, the snow was beautiful. A few years later, we were able to hit the area during the summer to see the lake clear and calm. The Lodge is also very nice.

MM.
Mark, the man that was greasing the boom of the excavator said they had very little snow up there last year at this time.
J-Rooster
Explorer
Apr 24, 2016
Tom/Barb wrote:
Did you notice the altitude?? spring comes late that high.
Yes, when I was getting ready to leave I had a hard time breathing! It was very scary to me not being able to get air. I was just surprised because it was 89 degrees when we left the RV Park. And, yes your correct Spring comes late and I have very little experience in the high country.
Golden_HVAC
Explorer
Apr 24, 2016
My buddy went to Crater Lake for fourth of July back in 1988, and he has a picture of fresh snow on the small island on Crater Lake.

Yes higher elevations are very cold in the late spring. I went to Grand Canyon for Thanksgiving in 1987, the first big trip with my F-350 and camper, that did not have a bathroom or furnace or water heater. It was really cold, with 1/2" of ice on the roads, 2" of snow, and so much fog that I could not see the canyon either. Went back to Laughlin NV, and it was warm enough for shorts and a t-shirt at 950' elevation on the Colorado River.

Great memories. .

Fred..
TucsonJim
Explorer II
Apr 24, 2016
We went in late June, and I was able to capture this shot which I now have framed in my living room:

Even in late June, there was still quite a bit of snow in many places.

Jim
gemert
Explorer
Apr 24, 2016
We were there mid June a few years ago. I have pics of my wife standing in front of 13ish foot snow on the side of the road. Views of Lake were unobstructed though. Great views!

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