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Winter Sports

Cross Country Skiing  •  Snowmobiling

Klamath, Lake, Modoc and Siskiyou Country presents a bonanza of opportunity for the Nordic skiing enthusiast, with more than 100 miles of groomed and ungroomed cross-country trails. Scenic splendors await the skier at almost every turn in this region that boasts some of the Pacific Northwest's most famous natural landmarks.

Crater Lake National Park serves as the mecca for cross-country skiers. Snow that piles up to depths of more than 10 feet makes the park a popular playground. But it's the mystical winter landscape that provides the real thrills. Year-round access to the Rim Village makes the park's Rim Drive an unrivaled scenic cross-country trail. Several backcountry trails lace the parkland surrounding the lake.

Groomed trails are maintained at several locations in the area, with most offering splendid views of the Cascade Range volcanos. Mt. Shasta dominates the skyline to the south, with Mt. McLoughlin's perfect pyramid shape rising over the Klamath Basin. Mt. Thielsen's jagged summit looms over the northern horizon of Crater Lake.

Food and lodging are available near most cross-country ski areas, while less developed sites, such as the Quartz Mountain Snopark east of Klamath Falls, offer solitude among the snowy silence of old-growth ponderosa pines.

Cross-country ski rentals are available in Klamath Falls, and at the following resorts and ski areas: Lake of the Woods, Willamette Pass Ski Area, Diamond Lake Resort, Shelter Cove Resort and Odell Lake Resort.

Throughout the region you'll find plenty of accommodations for dining, lodging and equipment supplies. Don't forget your permit for sno-parks in Oregon, and remember snowmobile registration is required in Oregon and California.

Places to Go

Location Map: Lake of the Woods - Fish Lake.

1. Lake of the Woods - Fish Lake

35 mi. W of Klamath Falls, OR, on Hwy. 140.
Nearly 60 miles of marked trails with spectacular views of Brown Mtn. and Mt. McLoughlin. Start from Summit Sno-Park on Hwy. 140 or from Sno-Parks at Fish Lake or Lake of the Woods. Resorts open during winter at both lakes. Trail maps available.
Information: Klamath Ranger District, 541-885-3400.

2. Walt Haring Sno-Park

Location Map: Walt Haring Sno-Park.

1/4-mile N of Chemult, OR, take Forest Service Rd. 9772 W to sno-park.
Starting point for treks out of Chemult. 5 miles of periodically groomed trails offer views of Walker Rim, Klamath Marsh and Yamsay Mt.
Information: Chemult Ranger District, 541-365-7001.

Location Map: Juanita Lake.

3. Juanita Lake

From Hwy. 97 just S of Macdoel, CA, take Meiss Lake Road 10 miles W.
Twelve miles of groomed trail lead to Juanita Lake and stunning views of Mt. Shasta and Mt. McLoughlin. Overlooks Butte Valley Wildlife Area.
Information: Goosenest Ranger District, 530-398-4391.

Location Map: Quartz Mountain Sno-Park.

4. Quartz Mountain Sno-Park

63 mi. E of Klamath Falls, OR along Hwy. 140.
20 mi. of ungroomed trails. There are vault toilets at this snopark, the open pine forest exposes great scenery, and Eastern Oregon climate makes weather more cooperative.
Information: Bly Ranger District, 541-353-2427.

Location Map: Odell Lake Resorts.

5. Odell Lake Resorts

From Hwy. 97, take Hwy 58 W 20 mi.
5 mi. groomed, 30 mi. ungroomed trails through Deschutes National Forest. Food, lodging available.
Information: Odell Lake Resort, 541-433-2540
Shelter Cove Resort, 800-647-2729.

Location Map: Willamette Pass.

6. Willamette Pass

Summit of Cascade Range on Hwy. 58.
12 mi. of groomed trails plus 200 acres of skiable ground. Downhill skiing also available at Oregon's third largest ski area. Food, rentals available at lodge.
Information: Willamette Pass Ski Area, 541-484-5030.

Location Map: Crater Lake National Park.

7. Crater Lake National Park

OR on Hwy 97 and 62.
Internationally recognized summer vacation spot is even more impressive in winter! Park averages more than 500 inches of snow each year. Thousands of acres of skiable terrain. Open all year.
Information: Crater Lake National Park, 541-594-2211.

Location Map: Diamond Lake.

8. Diamond Lake

From Hwy. 97, 22 mi. W on Hwy. 138.
Camp out in a cabin or motel at Diamond Lake Winter Sports Area. Nordic skiing plus other winter activities offered in heart of rugged Cascades just north of Crater Lake
Information: Diamond Lake Resort, 1-800-733-7593.of Commerce, 541-947-6040.

Location Map: Wocus Recreation Trail.

9. Wocus Recreation Trail

From Klamath Falls, OR, travel Hwy. 97 N 45 mi. to Silver Lake Hwy. Turn right on Silver Lake Hwy., go just past the 9- mile marker, and turn right 1/8 mile to trailhead.
Cross-country skiing on this 14-mile trail will present a good view of Mt. Scott and Mt. Theisen. You can view waterfowl, such as ducks, geese, and snow geese at the Klamath Marsh National Wildlife Refuge. Wildlife in the area includes deer and elk.
Information: Chiloquin Ranger District, 541-783-4001.

Bonus Points

Looking for something more challenging than a day trip and a picnic? Here are a few ideas to make your crosscountry season more memorable:

Cross Country Skiing  •  Snowmobiling

Fire up your sled and speed off to a vast winter playground in Klamath, Lake, Modoc and Siskiyou Country, where hundreds of miles of snowmobile trails lead through dense forests, across open meadows and extend along narrow ridgelines. Spectacular scenery will flank the trail wherever you go!

Facilities range from fully-developed lodges at Willamette Pass, Diamond Lake, Lake of the Woods and Fish Lake to a few picnic tables and a primitive warming hut at some sno-parks. Whether you're looking for plenty of company or a little elbow room, you'll find the directions to fun here. Snowmobile rentals are available at most lodges.

The region's most popular snowmobile areas include the Lake of the Woods/ Fish Lake winter sports area. Natural features include the mile-long Great Meadow, a popular spot for wide open snowmobiling when the conditions are right. Highway 140 provides easy access to the meadow from Klamath Falls and Medford.

Also highly favored are the Deer Mountain and Door Knob sno-parks in Northern California. Old-growth pine trees line the trails where Mount Shasta dominates the landscape. In Central Oregon it's the Cascade Mountain Range that offers breath-taking views and heavy snowfall accumulations.

Places to Go

Location Map: Crescent Lake Junction.

1. Crescent Lake Junction

17 mi. W of U.S. 97 on Oregon Hwy. 58.
Venture into the Cascades Recreation Area, Royce Mountain, Odell Lake Lodge, Willamette Ski Area and Maklaks areas on miles of groomed trails. Crescent Lake Junction offers restaurants, lodging, fuel and supplies.
Information: Crescent Ranger District, 541-433-2234.

2. Walt Haring Sno-Park

Location Map: Walt Haring Sno-Park.

1/4 mi. N of Chemult, OR, take Forest Service Rd. 9772 W. to sno-park.
This new sno-park provides access to miles of groomed trails. Connects with Diamond Lake trail system. Great views of Mt. Thielsen and Mt. Scott.
Information: Chemult Ranger District, 541-365-7001.

Location Map: Crater Lake and Diamond Lake.

3. Crater Lake and Diamond Lake

Crater Lake National Park: From Hwy. 97, take Hwy. 138 W 15 mi. to park's north entrance.
Snowmobile 10 miles of groomed roadway to north rim of the deepest lake in the U.S. Snow depths over 10 feet in peak of winter. Off-road travel prohibited.
Information: Crater Lake National Park, 541-594-2211.

Diamond Lake: From Hwy. 97 take Hwy. 138 W 22 mi.
A snowmobile mecca with more than 200 miles of groomed trails. Motel, cabins, and lodge. Lounge in the heart of Cascade Range. Rugged Mt. Thielsen Wilderness forms horizon to the east.
Information: Diamond Lake Resort, 541-793-3333 or 1-800-733-7593.

Location Map: Annie Creek Sno-Park.

4. Annie Creek Sno-Park

From Hwy. 97 near Chiloquin, OR take Hwy. 62 N 25 mi. to sno-park.
Great place to start a trip to Lake of the Woods or Diamond Lake. Plenty of parking space just outside Crater Lake National Park. Snowmobiles are not allowed in Crater Lake National Park, with the exception of access to the North Rim from the Diamond Lake side.
Information: Klamath Ranger District, 541-885-3400.

Location Map: Great Meadows Sno-Park.

5. Great Meadows Sno-Park

35 mi. W of Klamath Falls, OR on Hwy. 140.
165 mi. of groomed trails are well-suited for beginners through experts. Food and lodging available at resorts on Lake of the Woods and nearby Fish Lake. Equipment rentals available at Lake of the Woods. Enjoy views of Mountain Lakes and Sky Lakes wilderness areas. Two other sno-parks are in the area.
Information: Klamath Ranger District, 541-885-3400.

Location Map: Quartz Mountain Sno-Park.

6. Quartz Mountain Sno-Park

63 mi. E of Klamath Falls, OR along Hwy. 140 at Quartz Mtn. Pass.
Plenty of scenery and space at this sno-park, which now has vault toilet facilities. More than 70 miles of marked, ungroomed trails provide a look at open ponderosa pine forests on Oregon's sunny side. A popular trail stop is the Aspen Ridge Resort, where the buffalo still roam in a meadow below the resort.
Information: Bly Ranger District, 541-353-2427.

Location Map: Four Corners Sno-Park.

7. Four Corners Sno-Park

From Macdoel, CA take old Hwy. 97 1/2-mi. S to Forest Service Rd. 15. Follow Rd. 15 approx. 30 mi. to sno-park.
Rest rooms, a warming hut, picnic tables and loading ramps are maintained at this sno-park. Many miles of groomed trails lead to other sno-parks nearby.
Information: Goosenest Ranger District, 530-398-4391.

Location Map: Door Knob Sno-Park.

8. Door Knob Sno-Park

From Tulelake, CA, W 5 mi. on East-West Road, S 9 mi. on Forest Service Rd. 10, S 6 mi. on Forest Service Rd. 49 to sno-park.
Access from south via Forest Service Rds. 97 and 10. Accommodations are basic at this park in the Medicine Lake Highlands, but 31 miles of groomed trails offer great views of Mount Shasta and to the Medicine Lake Highlands.
Information: Doublehead Ranger District, 530-667-2246.

Location Map: Deer Mountain Sno-Park.

9. Deer Mountain Sno-Park

From Macdoel, CA take Hwy. 97 S 20 mi., take Deer Mtn. Rd. 4 mi. to sno-park.
Miles of groomed trails radiate from Deer Mountain Sno-Park and link up with three other sno-parks. There are rest rooms, a warming hut, picnic tables and loading ramps at this sno-park.
Information: Goosenest Ranger District, 530-398-4391.

Bonus Points

Looking for some heavy-duty sledding action? Here are a few ideas for more challenging snowmobile runs and activities:

Throughout the region you'll find plenty of accommodations for dining, lodging and equipment supplies. Don't forget your permit for sno-parks in Oregon, and remember snowmobile registration is required in Oregon and California. Please Tread Lightly for the benefit of those who follow and the well-being of our outdoor environment.

More Information

Klamath Basin Snowdrifters
Klamath Falls, OR, (541) 884-6180

Chiloquin Ridge Riders
Chiloquin, OR, (541) 783-2953

Mt. Shasta Snowmobile Club
Weed, CA, (530) 938-2475

Walker Rim Riders
Crescent Lake Jct., OR, (541) 433-2615

Hi Desert Storm Troopers
Lakeview, OR, (541) 946-4185

The Overhill Snowmobile Club
Paisley, OR, (541) 943-3124