Lower Crater Lake South via Rogers Pass Trail and Crater Lakes Trail
Overview
This is a moderate out and back trail to Lower Crater Lake South in Roosevelt National Forest.
This trail goes by Lower Crater Lake North.
We hiked this trail in sunny and warm winter day. It was my second hike in snowshoes after 10 years break. We enjoyed well packed snow with no ice. First section up to the Rogers Pass trail fork could be easily hiked without snowshoes, while upper part provided very interesting experience on some more steep sections, especially on the way down. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

My 61-year-old father and I backpacked up to Crater Lake, staying Friday and Saturday nights. Beautiful scenery, a little crowded, especially on Friday evening. The final mile up to Crater Lake is quite a climb! We, like seemingly everyone else, had an easy time catching fish. After a fish taco lunch, I wiled away Saturday reading and ducking under trees for shelter from the sprinkling rain, while my dad snoozed in the tent. We started out intending to go up to Heart Lake via this route, but had a late start: https://www.gaiagps.com/hike/1425/rogers-pass-lake-via-rogers-pass-trail/. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Public Tracks
Rating 4.0 of 5.0 Solitude: 3.5 of 5.0 Difficulty: 3.5 of 5.0 Drive time from Denver: Notes: (Snowshoe, backpacking) Season: Wait until mid-July to avoid snow
Easy hike to beautiful lakes just below the continental divide. Will bring xc skis next time, the trail back is a steady downhill on well packed snow.
Easy hike to beautiful lakes just below the continental divide. Will bring xc skis next time, the trail back is a steady downhill on well packed snow.
Easy hike to beautiful lakes just below the continental divide. Will bring xc skis next time, the trail back is a steady downhill on well packed snow.
Rating 4.5 of 5.0 Solitude: 3.5 of 5.0 Difficulty: 3.5 of 5.0 Drive time from Denver: Snow: Wait until mid-July
Rating: 3.5 of 5.0 Difficulty: 3.5 of 5.0 Solitude: 2.0 of 5.0 Distance from Littleton: 1h 45m Dogs on leash
starting from the East Portal Trail Head, and heading west