The automobile approaches to the park are exceptionally fine. Motorists
on the Pacific Highway, going north, have the choice of turning off at
Weed in northern California, proceeding to Klamath Falls and then to
Crater Lake over The Dalles-California Highway, or proceeding on to
Medford over the Pacific Highway and then to Crater Lake, 80 miles
distant. Southbound visitors on the Pacific Highway turn off at Medford,
as well as motorists arriving from California by way of the Redwoods
Highway, which has its junction with the Pacific Highway at Grants Pass.
Travelers to the park from Medford arrive by way of the west entrance
and from Klamath Falls by way of the south entrance. Those from Bend,
Oreg., 106 miles from Crater Lake, use the well-improved approach via
the north entrance, bringing motorists near Diamond Lake while en route
to the park. This route is rapidly growing in importance. The east
entrance also provides for travel from Bend and The Dalles-California
Highway and is usually open earlier in the season due to less snowfall.
En route from Medford, motorists travel through great forest areas,
along the banks of rushing streams, along the edges of picturesque
canyons, and through attractive mountain country. Of particular interest
is the Rogue River, well known for its steelhead and cutthroat trout and
salmon fishing.
Motorists entering the park by way of Medford often leave by way of the
south entrance to Klamath Falls, 62 miles, or arrive that way and leave
over the Medford route. On this trip motorists pass along the Annie
Creek Canyon, through the Klamath Indian Reservation, and along the edge
of upper Klamath Lake, the largest inland body of water west of the
Rocky Mountains.
Through the use of powerful snow plows Crater Lake National Park has
been made accessible throughout the year over the Klamath and Medford
approach roads. This is possible through the cooperation of the State
highway commission. Even during midwinter, when snow attains a depth of
12 to 15 feet on the level, motorists can drive to the very rim of the
lake.
Park highways are now continuously open, barring the exception of
excessively heavy storms; however the north and east entrances are open
only from spring until late fall.