Anderson Bluffs Trail

Anderson Bluffs Trail – Crater Lake National Park

Difficulty: Moderate

Length: 4.7 mi (7.6 km)

Elevation: 6404 – 6447 ft (1952 – 1965 m)

Trailhead coordinates:

Latitude: N +42° 54.07 or 42.9013

Longitude: W -122° 3.45 or -122.0575

Altitude: 6404 ft (1952 m)

REI Trails Project  partners with Crater Lake Institute to produce their trails app. Click the map below, get the app – then come back, we offer more.



Trail Description

kerr-notch

Kerr Notch at center, Mount Scott in background, Dutton Cliff at far right and Phantom Ship at bottom center, photo by Robert Mutch

This trail moves west to east through the Kerr Valley at the base of Anderson Bluffs. It has not been maintained regularly and can be difficult to follow. The trail moves up and down a bit, but, there are no major elevational changes, making for a moderate hike. The forest cover is primarily of mountain hemlock and shasta red fir.

Trailhead location: The trailhead is located at a small turnout 1.3 miles south on the Pinnacles Valley road, from it’s intersection with the East Rim Drive (near the Phantom Ship Overlook). Look to the north side of the road for the turnout.

Nature Note: Glaciers carved the valley which this trail passes through and lava flows filled it in and were then eroded to their present state by stream action. You can also find large and impressive moraines along the trail. These are in the form of lateral moraines. Lateral moraines form along the edges of glaciers. Material from the valley walls is broken up by frost shattering and falls onto the ice surface. It is then carried along the sides of the glacier. When the ice melts it forms a ridge of material along the valley side.

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 historic Weather Conditions for more information.

Anderson Bluffs in Crater Lake NP, circa 1938 F. G. Lange

Anderson Bluffs in Crater Lake NP, circa 1938 F. G. Lange

Anderson Bluffs Trail Elevation Profile

anderson-bluffs-trail-elevation-profile

      Note: this profile does not include the portion of the trail that moves south.

 

Related Maps

Digital USGS topographic maps (PDF files) – the following maps are relevant to the Anderson Bluffs trail. See more Crater Lake Institute online USGS digital maps.

Series Name Year Scale Contour Interval File Size 
USGS 7.5′ Crater Lake East 1985 1:24,000 40 ft usgs-crater-lake-east-7.5
USGS 7.5′ Pothole Butte 1985 1:24,000 40 ft usgs-pothole-butte-7.5
USGS 30′ x 60′ Crater Lake 1989 1:100,000 50 m usgs-crater-lake-30-minute
USGS 30′ x 60′ Diamond Lake 1978 1:100,000 50 m usgs-diamond-lake-30-minute
USGS 1° x 2° Klamath Falls 1970 1:250,000 200 ft usgs-klamath-falls-1-2
USGS 1° x 2° Medford 1976 1:250,000 200 ft usgs-medford-1-2
USGS 1° x 2° Roseburg 1970 1:250,000 200 ft usgs-roseburg-1-2

 

leave-no-trace-logo

Please remember to practice “leave no trace outdoor ethics” when you are out on Crater Lake National Park’s trails…and have fun!

 

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