AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

<< Previous | Table of Contents | Next >>

LOCATION AND GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF CRATER LAKE NATIONAL PARK

Highway 62 West Project Corridor

The segment of Highway 62 West from the west boundary at the Jackson County line to Annie Springs Junction was constructed in 1978. The roadway travels upgrade from the west boundary, has numerous curves, and two switchbacks. The majority of the road (7.3 miles) is nearly level to a 3.5% grade; the switchbacks lie on an approximately 6% grade. The roadway is two paved lanes with centerline and shoulder lines, and varies from 24- to 28-feet in width.

The project corridor is defined as approximately 8 miles (12.9 kilometers) in length and 46-feet (14 meters) in width, including travel lanes and shoulders, clear zone for ditches, slopes, and visibility corridor. The project corridor occupies 45 acres (18 hectares).

The road is located in dense forest, and small trees (mostly lodgepole pine) are encroaching in the corridor by sprouting in the road shoulders. The centerline of the road is 200 feet from the proposed wilderness designated boundaries.

Two segments of the road are considered dangerous by park staff: Whitehorse Crossing and the switchbacks. Whitehorse Crossing includes a blind curve and the turning radii of the switchbacks are very narrow.