With several exceptions park visitation continued a general upward trend from 1935 to 1941, primarily as a result of improvement in the national economy and year-round operation of the park beginning in the winter of 1935-36. The number of visitors nearly tripled during this period, rising from 107,701 in 1935 to 273,564 in 1941 with an average of some 225,000 during the four years before Pearl Harbor. [36]
Improvement of the national economy and its effects on Crater Lake visitation were apparent by 1935. In July Superintendent Canfield observed:
Travel for the year covered in this report will probably not be up to previous estimates because of a comparatively early winter and a late opening in the spring Once the roads were opened, travel approximated last year’s, week by week; but there is an interesting development in that this spring it is apparent that there is a far greater demand for the higher priced accommodations. People are staying longer and spending more money than for several seasons. [37]
During the winter of 1935-36 the highways to the park from Medford and Klamath Falls were kept open, thus making the park accessible to motorists the entire year for the first time in Crater Lake history. Commenting on the year-round operation of the park and its impact on visitation Superintendent Canfield wrote in July 1936:
This [travel increase] is not only due to an increased national park consciousness on the part of the traveling public and apparent improved economic conditions, but due to year around park accessibility. The latter fact is in direct contrast to short seasons, the result of snow blocked roads until late in the spring. Cooperation from the Oregon State Highway Commission in snow removal from approach roads was an important factor in the winter accessibility of the park. Discussions were begun by this office during the past year with the park public utilities operator with the object of formulating definite plans to ultimately offer limited accommodations for winter visitors. Hitherto, no food or lodging has been available, working an inconvenience on visitors. The nearest accommodations are over 20 miles distant. While it is not likely such services will be offered during the next winter, a step forward in the right direction has been realized. . . .
. . . That this [year-round] development was appreciated, was shown by the arrival of many visitors during the snow-covered months to view Crater Lake in its scintillating raiment of winter finery. These visitors, to a large number, took an active interest in amateur winter sports, utilizing slopes for skiing, tobogganing and sleighing. The acquisition of an additional snow plow facilitated the difficult task of maintaining open roads in the face of winter storms, leaving a total snowfall of nearly 50 feet. No accidents marred the success of the winter season.
As a result of the open roads, Crater Lake gained further favorable recognition from the public and press as a winter recreational area. [38]
The increasing winter visitation to Crater Lake continued to attract favorable comment from park management. In July 1937, for instance, Superintendent Canfield observed:
The value of winter accessibility of Crater Lake National Park was again shown during the 1936-37 season when open entrance highways were maintained from Klamath Falls on U.S. Highway 97 and Medford on U.S. Highway 99–both gateway cities. Approximately 23 miles of park highways were involved. The Oregon State Highway Department maintained open roads to the park boundaries in cooperation with the National Park Service.
Up until the acquisition of powerful snowplow equipment, the wonders of Crater Lake during winter months were viewed only by the eyes of persons who skiied or snowshoed over 20 to 23 miles of snow. The park was practically inaccessible from November until late June or July 1. Snow was removed entirely by hand labor, making only a one-way traffic lane possible. The one-way traffic would persist until after the middle of July. It is of important interest to note that nearly 50,000 visitors arrived in the park during the time travel had been impossible in previous years. This total speaks for itself.
Through plowing activity and the urging of the superintendent, the Crater Lake Lodge was enabled to begin extensive interior improvements in May, opening for the public earlier than ever before. Hundreds of visitors took part in amateur snow sports in conjunction with drinking in the beauties of Crater Lake in its white raiment. While no ambitious snow carnivals were encouraged and the open roads were not given general publicity due to lack of accommodations, 39 different states were represented during the height of the winter, as well as a number of foreign countries.
