Bald Crater Loop Trail - Crater Lake National Park

Time:

Difficulty: Moderate

Length: 13.9 mile loop trail

Elevation: 5233 ft (1595 m)

Trailhead coordinates:

Latitude: N +42° 05.45 or 42.989

Longitude: W -122° 12.105 or -122.202

Altitude: 5233 ft (1595 m)

Trail Description

Trailhead Coordinates

Bert Creek Trail
Decimal: 43.006, -122.248
GPS: N 43 0.384, W 122 14.897
Deg., Min., Sec.: N43 0 23, W122 14 54
Altitude = 1720 m / 5643 ft

Pacific Crest Trail (southeast)
Decimal: 42.989, -122.202
GPS: N 42 59.326, W 122 12.106
Deg., Min., Sec.: N42 59 20, W122 12 6
Altitude = 1867 m / 6125 ft

Pacific Crest Trail
Decimal: 43.001, -122.190
GPS: N 43 0.066, W 122 11.372
Deg., Min., Sec.: N43 0 4, W122 11 22
Altitude = 1879 m / 6165 ft

Boundary Springs Trail
Decimal: 43.053, -122.210
GPS: N 43 3.201, W 122 12.579
Deg., Min., Sec.: N43 3 12, W122 12 35
Altitude = 1731 m / 5679 ft

This large circular loop trail is a great hike as well as a hub that intersects with the Boundary Springs trail to the north, the Bert Creek trail to the southwest, and the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) to the southeast. So, while many will not hike this trail in it's entirety, they will hike portions of it on their way to other trails.

The overall elevational changes are not great, but, there are some up and down areas. Lodgepole pine is a dominant overstory forest cover for a large portion of this trail.

Trailhead location: Many hikers will access this trail from different points, so, the coordinates for the intersections with the different trails and the Bald Crater Loop Trail are given in the column to the right.

Seasonal Information: Expect the trail to be covered in snow from October to early July, however, conditions vary somewhat from year to year. See Crater Lake Current Conditions for more information.

Digital USGS topographic maps (PDF files) - the following maps are relevant to the Bald Crater Loop trail. See more Crater Lake Institute online USGS digital maps.

Series	Name	Year	Scale	Contour Interval	File Size
USGS 7.5'	Crater Lake West	1985	1:24,000	40 ft	4790 KB (4.68 mb)
USGS 7.5'	Pumice Desert West	1985	1:24,000	40 ft	3926 KB (3.83 mb)
USGS 30' x 60'	Crater Lake	1989	1:100,000	50 m	11359 KB (11.1 mb)
USGS 30' x 60'	Diamond Lake	1978	1:100,000	50 m	11606 KB (11.33 mb)
USGS 1° x 2°	Klamath Falls	1970	1:250,000	200 ft	8463 KB (8.27 mb)
USGS 1° x 2°	Medford	1976	1:250,000	200 ft	9630 KB (9.4 mb)
USGS 1° x 2°	Roseburg	1970	1:250,000	200 ft	10053 KB (9.82 mb)

Please remember to practice "leave no trace outdoor ethics" when you are out on Crater Lake National Park's trails...and have fun!