Finding Your Winter Wonderland
Herald and News
Klamath Falls, Oregon
December 15, 2007
By LEE JUILLERAT
H&N Regional Editor
 |
| A
cross-country skier cruises along a trail with Crater
Lake and Wizard Island in the background. Despite a slow
snow year, Crater Lake is at its wintery best. |
It's
Christmas vacation, the kids and family are ready to go so ...
where's the snow?
Don't
expect to head out to Moore Park or test favorite neighborhood
hills for sledding, tobagganing and cross-country skiing because
the snow isn't there. More likely, it will be necessary to head
to the Cascade Summit Sno-Park, Lake of the Woods, Fish Lake
and, most dependably, Crater Lake National Park.
Depending on which weekend weather forecast you believe, it
appears snow could be coming in the next week. Some forecasts
predict a slight chance of snow today then a greater chance
again Monday and Tuesday, while others point to later in the
week.
Best Choices
For
winter snowplay, the best choices are Crater Lake and the Lake
of the Woods/Fish Lake area. Guided snowshoe walks are available
at Crater Lake. Although the snowpack was still well below
average, it's the best in the Basin. People snowshoeing with
groups or on their own reminded to not use the cross-country ski
tracks. Snowshoes destroy tracks set by skiers - and generate
bad feelings.
For
simple snowplay, check out the Annie Springs parking area just
south of the Crater Lake entrance on the east side of Highway
62. Although snow is limited, there is enough for sledding.
Trails that leave the area, which are used by snowmobilers and
cross-country skiers, will only improve with some fresh snow.
 |
| Photo
by Paul Titus - Mt. Bachelor has plenty of snow for the
skier or snowboard enthusiast. The ski area is open with
limited lift service. |
Sno-Park parking permits are required at many of the other high
elevation areas,
including the Cascade Summit Sno-Park near the
Klamath-Jackson county line on Highway 140 about midway between
the Lake of the Woods of Fish Lake. Because they're not
available at the sno-park, buy a day or season pass before
making the trip or you'll be slapped with a $30 fine. Season
permits, which cost $20, are available at the Klamath Falls
Department of Motor Vehicles office at 1909 Austin St. weekdays.
Purchases can be made from the outside window.
Cross-country skiers have reported good skiing, especially as
they gain elevation away
from Highway 140. The Lake of the Woods
Resort is closed for the winter, but people can grab cups of hot
chocolate and meals at the Fish Lake Resort, which is open all
winter. Owner Debbi Blodgett says the restaurant is open Fridays
through Sundays, but cabins are available nightly and "the
fireplace is always going." People without snow-park permits can
park in the resort parking lot for $4 a day.
Permits also are required along Highway 58 atop the Willamette
Pass. Although the Willamette Pass Ski Area is still closed,
there is enough snow for cross-country skiing.
Marginal snowpack
Conditions also are marginal at Diamond Lake, where Diamond Lake
Resort managers
reported only 3 inches of snowpack Friday
afternoon with about 12 inches at 5,500 feet elevation.
"There's not much, but it's white," says resort spokesman Rick
Rockholt.
If the
snow situation improves - and, again, the forecast is somewhat
optimistic - the resort offers cross-country ski rentals and
eight miles of groomed trails and, even more popular with
family, a tubing and snowboarding hill. For updated information
call toll-free (800) 733-7593.
Most ski parks still closed
Downhill skiers and snowboarders need to look to Mt. Bachelor,
which is open with limited lift services. Other regional areas -
included the Shasta Ski Park, Mt. Ashland Ski Area and
Williamette Pass Ski Area and the two community ski hills,
Warner Canyon near Lakeview and Cedar Pass near Alturas - are
closed until significantly more snow falls.
