Start:             East Rim Parking Area

End:              Sun Notch  

Level:            Moderate to advanced when avalanche conditions are high

Distance :      Round trip 10 miles

Note: during high avalanche conditions adds 2 miles when following the  Ridge and Applegate Bypasses.    

This is an exhilarating alternative to skiing along the rim, especially when the weather is poor.  A steady climb takes you up through snow-covered hemlocks with views of Munson Valley and Union Peak.  Stop for lunch under the frozen beauty of  Falls. Then continue traveling several miles east until reaching Sun Notch,  which  is on the rim.  You can look straight down a  thousand-foot drop to the lake surface onto the Phantom Ship.  

During high avalanche conditions, use the   Falls Bypass route at the old Crater Peak Trailhead to reach   Falls picnic area.  Then  use the Apple gate Bypass.  TURN RIGHT into  Sun Meadows, then stay left until reaching East Rim Drive.  Note:  the last 1/3 mile is a very steep and  wooded ridge.   

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Start:             West Rim parking lot

End:               The overlook at the corrals is between Hillman and Watchman peaks.

Level:            Easy to  Moderate when icy.

Distance:       Round trip - 10 miles

This invigorating route follows the Wizard Island Overlook trail along the scenic west rim. It then climbs a 3 % grade around the flanks of Watchman Peak.  At times, the traverse across the north face can be treacherous with wind packed ice; caution should be used.  An excellent view of Wizard Island awaits you at your destination.

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Start:               Highway 62

End:                Rim Village 

Level:              Moderate to advanced.   

Distance:          One way -6.9 miles from Annie Springs Entrance Station to Rim Village.

Distance to Lightning Springs Trailhead 10 miles

Skiers can either follow the PCT north for 2.1 miles and turn onto Dutton Creek Trail,  or keep going for a total of 5.1 miles before reaching Lightning Springs Trail.   

This trail is poorly marked and is very difficult to follow, thus making a map and compass essential items on this true backcountry experience.

Skiers need to beware of the steep climb up to the rim.  

See Dutton Creek, or Lighting Springs for instructions 

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Start:          Highway 62

Ends:        Lodgepole picnic area  or ends back at same trailhead. 

Level:        Moderate 

Distance:  UNION PEAK JCT 2.9 miles.  Back to PCT trailhead 5.8 miles

Distance:   STUART FALLS JCT 5.1  miles

Distance:  Loop Ski from PCT South trailhead to Lodgepole picnic area 7.1 miles.  

Union Peak's east flank offers a great place to practice tele-turning and stunning views of the Rim.   

For skiers that love to kick and glide,  the section from Union Peak back to the Lodgepole trailhead can be extremely rewarding.  Nevertheless, navigating the PCT from Union Peak to the junction of Stuart Falls can be difficult to follow the markers.   

The trail goes thought several large meadows; skiers need to pay close attention in these areas to follow the obscure blue markers.   

Skiers can follow several routes once they arrive at the junction of the PCT and Stuart Falls.  It is recommenced that skiers who plan to ski to Stuart Falls start at the Lodgepole picnic area.  Once skiers arrive at the junction,  they are advised to turn left onto the Stuart Falls Trail east.  From there, it is only 2.9 miles back to the trailhead.

Skiers should plan ahead before skiing this great loop ski from the PCT South trailhead to Lodgepole picnic area.  A second car is recommended to shuttle  skiers back to their car.   

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Crater Peak Lower Section:  Note: this section is for advanced skiers who have good GPS and map and compass skills.  The trail continues from Crater Peak and goes to the South Boundary of the park.   ( It is recommend you use your GPS map software and pre program your way points before going on this outrageous ski! ; )  Data provided below is in Grids of Latitudes and Longitudes', Datum WGS 84

Distance: 16  miles from East Rim Drive Trailhead to Annie Creek snowmobile parking lot located near the south entrance to the park. 

This section of the trail is poorly marked and very difficult to follow, thus making a map and compass essential on this true backcountry experience. 

This section of the trail can only be skied when the snowpack in the lower south section of the park is four feet deep, due to all the downfall timber along the way. Skiers need to pay very close attention in order to follow the obscure old red metal markers. 

·         Note:  the old red metal markers on this trail can get covered up by the snowpack when it  gets over 11 feet. Special attention is needed to follow the trail  for the next four miles South of Crater Peak. Skiers will first encounter several large meadow areas. Meadow areas are poorly marked.  The trail becomes difficult to follow through the meadow areas for several miles. SEE map: for more details: Crater Peak Middle   At the coordinates N42 50.307 W122 05.783 the tails starts its journey though the two large meadows by taking a  South West jog though the meadow areas before reaching a very thick Rid Fir thicket just past the last large meadow .  At the coordinates N42 49.426 W122 06.000 the trail makes a east turn around the flank of the hill and travel for a mile or so in order to cross an intermitted creek . Just before the intermitted creek the trails take a northeast direction to avoid the steep West side of the creek drainage  before turning South again at  N42 49.426 W122 06.000.  Then the trail crosses the top on the creek drainage to the east side of the intermitted creek. Caution is need in this area so skiers don't get to far down into the steep side west side of this drainage. (see map Crater Peak -Last Section )  The trail continues south  and connects to the Boundary Butte Trail 2 miles from the south boundary of the park. Skiers need to stay to the right when they reach this junction. This trail comes out around 3 miles up on the south boundary  on Annie Creek Road.  Stay right and follow until reaching Annie Creek snowmobile parking lot.  

Skiers need to plan before skiing from the East Rim Trailhead to the south boundary Annie Creek snowmobile parking lot.  A second car is recommended to use to shuttle skiers back to their car.  Skiers are advised to tell family or friends before going on this back country adventure.   

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Start:           RIM Village or Snowman Pull-out

End:            Rim Village or Snowman Pull-out.  

Level:          Moderate

Distance:     2 mile loop

This loop trail starts across from the Rim Cafe located at Rim Village. It can be followed either way. You can also access this trail from the Snowman Pull-out that is approximately one mile south of the Cafe on the Munson Valley Road   This trail is recommended for the intermediate and only for the beginner skier when the snow conditions are light and powdery. This trail has good views of the Ski Lakes Wilderness Area to the West and of the Lake when the trails travels close to the Rim near the beginning of the Raven Trail near the Lodge.  This trail offers an abundance of Large Hemlock Firs and and  a few Whitebark and White Pines along its path to be viewed.  This is a great trail when the temperatures on the Rim gets cold or in stormy weather.  This trail crossed a few large opened meadows.  Skiers need to pay special attention to the open areas, especially when the visibility is limited, which happens often.  The Ski Patrol puts out 12' orange poles in the beginning of each season to mark the open meadows. The trail is marked with Blue Diamonds.  This trail is only used in the winter as a ski trail, and is set between the Munson Valley Road on three sides and Garfield Peak on the other. Making this a very safe place for skiers not to get lost.   This trail offers a variety of terrain. Special note: The Crater Lake Ski Patrol will break this trail out early on all Saturdays during the winter season. ENJOY!     

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