North entrance ready for travel: road to Crater Lake near Fort Klamath open to travelers

Herald and News
Klamath Falls, Oregon
June 07, 2003

CRATER LAKE - The North Entrance Road at Crater Lake National Park opened this morning.

The opening means that northbound summer travelers can enter the park via the south entrance near Fort Klamath, visit the Rim Village area, drive north on Rim Drive and exit the park via the North Entrance Road, and travel by Highway 138 to west to the Umpqua River, Roseburg and Interstate 5 or go east on Highway 138 to Highway 97 and Chemult and Bend.

Superintendent Chuck Lundy said travelers should use caution. Several feet of snow still cover much of the park. Visitors should be aware of such potential hazards as slippery snow patches, falling rocks and patches of ice.

Steep snowfalls still exist at many overlooks along Rim Drive. Because of the hazardous terrain in the caldera that encloses Crater Lake, travel below the rim is prohibited.

Lundy said it is expected the entire 33-mile long Rim Drive that circles the lake will open in early July.

"Park maintenance crews have worked hard to open the roads as early as possible this year, even though the spring snow levels were higher than usual," said Lundy.

Also open today is the Rim Visitor Center, the old Kiser studio, which is staffed by park interpreters and Natural History Association employees. The center is open 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Crater Lake Lodge opened in late May for overnight visitors. The lodge also serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, with dining preference given to people staying at the lodge.

The status of other concession services includes: Mazama Village gas station, open; Rim Village cafeteria and gift shop, open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Mazama Village Motor Inn and Mazama Village Store, will open June 6; Watchman Restaurant, will open June 13; Mazama Campground, will open June 13, weather permitting.

For lodging information call (541) 830-8700. For general concession information call 594-2255. For park information call 594-3000.

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