Lower Crater Lake South via Rogers Pass Trail and Crater Lakes Trail
5.5 mi
Distance
2 hrs 50 min
Time
terrain
1,397 ft
Elev Gain
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.
Sights to See
Rate this Hike
★★★★★
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.
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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/.
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Public Tracks
4.0 - Crater Lake
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
Crater Lakes Hike Nov 8
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.
Crater Lakes Hike Nov 8
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.
Crater Lakes Hike Nov 8
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.
Crater Lakes Hike Nov 8
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.
Crater Lake
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
3.5 - Crater Lake
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
Crater Lakes Trail
starting from the East Portal Trail Head, and heading west
