Crater Lake next week, is it doable?

I'll be traveling from So Cal to Portland delivering a car next week and I have never been to Crater Lake, but would like to go. But, is it open this time of year? Can I get up there and see the lake from some of the traditional view points?

And if yes, does anyone have any suggestions for locations? I'll be able to get there for sunrise, but not sunset. Staying in Yreka the night before and heading out as early as I need to to get there for early morning light.

Thanks!

Rodney
www.naturalimages.com

You have to come in from 62, the north entrance is closed for the winter. Current conditions and a webcam from the Lodge: http://www.nps.gov/crla/planyourvisit/things2know.htm

Thanks for those links, looks like light snow to snow showers possible on my day of travel. Might have to think of something else to see along the way.

Crater is definately doable. They plow the roads everyday and you should be able to make it up just fine. Enter from 62 and once you hit the lodge, you can park and walk 50 feet right up to the rim. For the best vantage points I would suggest heading out a couple miles clockwise around the rim before the sun comes up.

Barring heavy snow in the days right before your trip, you should be able to get to Rim Village from the South Entrance. As Ryan mentions, the further west you get from the parking area the better sunrise view you'll get, but it might be a trudge without snowshoes or skis.

Unless you have a compelling reason to stop in Yreka, you might want to push on to Ashland or Medford for the night. The drive from Yreka to Crater Lake is about 2.5 hours with good, dry road conditions, and the Siskiyou Pass right at the CA-OR border could be quite icy in the pre-dawn hours.

An alternative would be for you to leave I-5 at Weed and take Hwy 97 north. Spend the night in Klamath Falls (or Chiloquin) and then head to Crater Lake on Hwy 62 from the east side. Also a very scenic route and you avoid Siskiyou Pass, although roads around K Falls can be icy, too.

Thanks for the suggestions. I have modified my plans to stay in Klamath Falls, and give myself a full day at the rim, for morning and evening light.

I am going on Sunday, and I am crossing my fingers for good weather. I won't have chains, so I hope the roads are clear!

Rodney, if you plan on staying in K-Falls for the night, I recommend you stop off at a Les Schwab Tire Center, buy a set of tire chains (I recommend the Z - style), keep them in the original box, then return them on your way back to California. While the Park personnel do a great job of keeping the roads passable, a storm may blow in 10 minutes behind the plow!

On the west side of the Lake is Union Creek. This is a wonderful place to explore for viewing the beauty of the Rogue River. Enjoy the area!