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PCNST #2000 - State Highway 140 to Crater Lake NP

For those who have the time, this is a beautiful section of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail. This section lies within the beautiful Sky Lakes Wilderness. It offers outstanding vistas and many opportunities for side excursions. The saddle between Devil’s Peak and Lee Peak is usually impassable to horses through most of July due to the steep snowfield on the north side. The lake basins are notorious for hungry mosquitoes in early summer. Many hikers prefer to tackle this one early in the season since melting snowdrifts provide water where later in the season there is none. Travelers on horseback should wait until August.

Carry lots of water! This trail follows ridge tops and drinking water is very scarce along most of its length, unless you take Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail side excursions.

More information:

  • Pacific Crest Trail Association Web Site
  • Pacific Crest Trail US Forest Service Web Site
Current Conditions
Visit http://www.pcta.org for conditions and maps.

General Information

Spring - Fall

Getting There

Elevation

6,500 feet range

Directions

Use the Pacific Crest Trailhead on Highway 140.

From White City, OR take State Highway 140 east for about 30 miles. The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail crosses the highway about 1.5 miles east of Fish Lake. Parking is limited here since hikers seldom start and end a trip at this point. It is more common to arrange to be dropped off and picked up at an agreed date at Crater Lake or vice versa.

Facility and Amenity Information

Restrooms

Restrooms are not available at this site.

Water

Potable water is not available at this site.

Recreation Opportunities

Recreation Groups

A group of three hikers walks through an open meadow with bushes and flowers.

Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail #2000 travels through beautiful areas of Rogue-River Siskiyou National Forest from Crater Lake National Park to California’s Klamath Riv

Last updated April 24th, 2025