Crater Lake is a stunning place. The deep blue reflective lake surrounded by sharp peaks is so beautiful it doesn't look real. But it is real. And by trekking along the Crater Lake Discovery and Rim Trail, you are sure to see these surreal piece of nature from all its beautiful angles.
Trail Info
Know before you go
Park conditions and accessibility vary by season. Some or all of the Rim road may be closed depending on conditions. (The road is closed in winter). Check the NPS page for the latest updates.
This route can be as short or as long as you like. The full trail follows the walking path and rim trail along the West Rim of the lake, which extends from Rim Village on the south portion of the lake to Merriam Point on the north portion. (Note there is no walking path on the eastern rim).
Other Trails Nearby
Garfield Peak is a short hike from Rim Village that will take you to a great vantage point from the southern side of the lake.
The Watchman is a short side trail from the Rim Trail that will also provide a bird's eye perspective of the Lake.
The Trail
My jaunt began on the south side of the lake at Rim Village. You don't need to walk far to get a great view of the lake and Wizard's Island. Despite the snow elsewhere, the southern facing side of Wizard's Island was bare. That's because this side is far more exposed to the sun during these spring months.
My original plan had been to summit Garfield Peak (pictured above) via a trail that leaves from Rim Village. Unfortunately, I was forced to turn around because of a trail closure. Despite it being the end of May, a thick layer of ice was still present on a narrow pass next to a sharp dropoff. If I had microspikes, it probably would have been doable, but I decided I didn't want to die today.
Still, my short detour up the Garfield Peak trail did give me a nice view of the landscape beyond Crater Lake. That prominent peak in the distance is Mount McLoughlin and I could just barely see Mount Shasta on a clear day like this.
While Wizard Island will probably steal most of your attention, be sure to look towards the East Rim. I found the reflection of the rim's ridges so captivating. That peak in the center is Mount Scott with an elevation of 8,649 feet (2,636 m).
The trail itself is fairly tame. It is mostly dirt with a little bit of rock which may be snow covered depending on the time of year. There greatest elevation gain will be near Watchman Peak (which you can summit with an optional side trail). The trail never gets too close to the edge of the rim either, so no steep dropoffs to worry about.
Unless of course you want get close to the edge. There were a few sections like this that provided some cool photo ops.
Gotta do it for the gram.
For me though, the best section of this entire trail was Merriam Point, located on the northwestern side of the rim. This is also functionally the end of the Rim Trail, because it leaves the beauty of the lake and connects to the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail. If you hiked all the way here from Rim Village, it's time for that return trek. And if you opted for a driving sightseeing day, hop back and your car and head to that next lookout to continue to soak in this natural masterpiece.
SS Reflections
To this day, I still think Crater Lake and that snowcapped Wizard Island are some of the prettiest sights I've ever seen. The perfectly clear reflection of the lake and the other mountains in the distance just added to its unreal beauty. And unlike many National Park adventures where I have a "go go go" mentality, trying to hit every possible trail in my time frame, this was more leisurely. I soaked this place in from every conceivable angle, thinking to myself, how is this real?
Other Resources
The NPS official page for visiting Crater Lake
CN Traveler's tips about the park