Draft Winter Use Plan, Crater Lake National Park, Oregon, 1994

 Chapter 4. Winter Use Plan

WINTER USE ALTERNATIVES

The following winter use alternative scenarios were developed as part of the planning process and presented during the public meetings held in January 1994. The alternatives were intended to provide a framework for public discussion regarding the future of winter use in Crater Lake National Park. Each alternative supports varying types and levels of winter use. The purpose of this section is to briefly describe each alternative relative to public opinion and the eight management objectives.

Alternative 2 – Reduced Winter Use

This alternative supports reducing winter use in the park and would place greater emphasis on maintaining and restoring the park’s winter quiet and solitude. Alternative use scenarios for each winter activity are as follows:

Snowmobiling

Under this alternative, all mechanized snow machine use would be eliminated from the park. No snowmobile/snowcoach access would be permitted via the north entrance road. This was not preferred, because it would be inconsistent with Management Objective 6, which seeks to provide access to a Crater Lake viewpoint for snowmobiles.

Cross-Country Skiing

Under this alternative, cross-country ski routes would remain unchanged; however, the north entrance road would be made available as a cross-country ski trail. Cross-country skiing opportunities under this alternative are consistent with Management Objective 4, which seeks to maintain quiet and solitude for winter users in the park’s backcountry by encouraging nonmotorized, low-impact modes of travel.

Snowshoeing

Under this alternative, snowshoe walks would continue at Rim Village based on funding and demand.

Overnight Camping – Frontcountry

Under this alternative, frontcountry camping in Rim Village would be permitted in the designated area; however, no provisions would be made to accommodate this use. As discussed, overnight camping in Rim Village is considered unsafe and therefore is prohibited under the preferred alternative.

Overnight Camping – Backcountry

Under this alternative, overnight backcountry camping would be prohibited. All backcountry activities would be limited to day use. Prohibiting overnight backcountry camping would be inconsistent with Management Objective 4, which seeks to preserve the opportunity for a quiet, solitary experience for winter users in the park’s backcountry by encouraging nonmotorized, low-impact modes of travel and overnight camping. In addition, public comments that addressed this issue supported either maintaining the existing backcountry permit system or developing a hut-to-hut system to enhance the backcountry experience.