The Firestone Family, including six children from Talent, spend one month traveling to and from Crater Lake. They approached the Lake by the trail that came up behind the present Lodge. The trail was a one-way wagon trail. One of the older boys would ride up to the top or ride to the bottom and fire a shot signaling the trail was empty and open for travel. Wagons on the way down from the Rim would tie a log to the back to serve as a drag. The group had to be self-sufficient. The wagon was pulled by a team of horses and an extra one was brought along as a saddle horse and to be used to help the wagon up steep hills. Lots of food was included, but the family also hunted and fished along the way to supplement the supplies. While camping near the lake, Mr. Firestone was approached by a young doctor’s wife from San Francisco, who wanted to buy some local Indian artifacts. She had some beads and trinkets from San Francisco and her husband hired Mr. Firestone to take them to trade. They came to an Indian house, the older Indians lived in teepees in the back yards of government houses where the younger Indians lived, and the doctor’s wife got to dickering with a young squaw on the porch. The Indian girl had been away to school, so was rather knowledgeable and said, “ Don’t want any of your junk. I can go to San Francisco and get it as cheap as you do.” 

After camping at Anna Springs, the Firestones went on to Whisky Creek below Huckleberry Mountain, to pick up a supply of huckleberries. Lots of Indians were picking berries and selling them for 50 cents a gallon. Often the Indians would approach tourists in the Rim area and offer to sell berries for money. (Story from Dr. Wayne Linn of SOSC of Ashland)

Season Visitation: 1,500 est.