Report – 03 Repairs and Improvements.

Report of the Superintendent of the Crater Lake National Park, 1910

 Repairs and Improvements.

 

On July 1, 1909. the date of the opening of the tourist and working season, it was found that all the government buildings in the park had been seriously damaged by the great weight of the snow of the preceding winter. Since July 1, 1909, the condition and the work of the protection and improvement of the park have been as follows:

Immediately after July 1 I proceeded to put all roads, trails, and bridges in the reserve in the best possible condition. Lumber and other building materials were purchased and workmen employed, and the necessary repairs and improvements upon the buildings and fences have been continuously and vigorously prosecuted to the present time. It is believed that hereafter the buildings will be uninjured by the severe winter weather, as heavier and better timbers have been used, the roofs have been made steeper, and the workmanship has been first class in every respect.

The cost of the season’s work to October 1 has been practically $1,100, divided approximately as follows: Repairs and improvements upon buildings, including materials, $700; repairs upon roads, trails, bridges, and fences, $300; purchase of necessary tools and implements, $100.

On October 1, 1909, travel in the park was practically ended for the season. During October there were heavy rains and snows and for a considerable portion of the time the ground was covered with from 6 inches to a foot of snow.

The preparations for winter were carried on to the best possible advantage, and on November 8 the work of closing was completed and the superintendent left the park for his winter quarters at Klamath Falls. At that time the snow was 2-1/2 feet deep at the headquarters in the park and was falling at the rate of 2 inches an hour.

The entire park was closed to travel until April, 1910, when some of the lower lands were accessible, but it was still impossible to reach the headquarters in the park, as the snow was still very deep and soft.

During May I succeeded in reaching the headquarters and remained a part of the month in the park. On June 2 a work camp was established in the reserve, and during the month the roads and trails were cleared of the fallen trees and logs that had accumulated during the winter. The flooring of all the bridges was replaced and the roads and trails were otherwise repaired and improved and put in fairly good condition for travel.

 

***previous*** — ***next***