Park Headquarters Historic Trail - Crater Lake NP

This moderately strenuous trail begins just behind the Steel Visitor Center (formerly the Ranger Dormitory). In just a hundred meters it comes to the Lady of the Woods (see below) in a mountain hemlock forest. The trail then passes by several historic structures (the Munson Valley headquarters is a historic district), and a stream and wet meadow. A self-guided trail pamphlet is available (just in the Visitor Center) which matches up with interpretive markers placed at various points along the trail.

Trailhead location: Behind the Steel Information Center at Park Headquarters

Nature Note: Mountain hemlock forest with open meadows and sparse underbrush characterizes the vegetation of the upper Munson Valley area that the trail moves through. Other trees that may be encountered are Shasta red fir and noble fir. Wood rush is the dominant understory shrub and Scouler's willow and subalpine fir are found along the creek and in low wet meadows.

Historic Note: Lady of the Woods was carved in 1917, by a member of the YCC crew building the first Rim Drive. See Cultural Landscape Recommendations: Park Headquarters at Munson Valley, for an in-depth explanation of the history of Munson Valley.

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.