Little Crater Lake
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
- Hikes to this location:
- Little Crater Lake Hike (TH | <— —> | LOG)
- Wapinitia Pass to Little Crater Lake Hike (TH | <— —> | LOG)
- Timothy Lake Loop Hike (TH | <— —> | LOG)
- Clackamas Lake-Timothy Lake Loop Hike (TH | <— —> | LOG)
- Weather forecast: NWS/NOAA
- Maps: Oregon Hikers Maps Google Maps
- Latitude, Longitude: 45.1483, -121.7509
- Elevation: 3230 feet
Description
Little Crater Lake is a beautiful artesian spring surrounded by lush meadows. The lake was formed by dissolving siltstone when water from the aquifer below was forced up through a fault line. The spring has enlarged the opening and worn through the layer of siltstone to a gravel layer 45 feet below. The water temperature here is cold - a constant 34 degrees throughout the year.
The Little Crater Lake Geological Area is fenced to keep cattle out. Be prepared for mosquitoes, especially early in the summer. You can inspect the surrounding Little Crater Meadows for wildflowers in the early summer and look for huckleberries in August.
Little Crater Lake is less than a quarter of a mile from the Pacific Crest-Little Crater Lake Trail Junction and 250 yards from the Little Crater Lake Trailhead and Campground. The campground is fairly primitive, with toilets but no drinking water.
More Links
- Little Crater Lake Campground (USFS)
- Little Crater Lake, OR (Recreation.gov)
- "Little Crater Lake near Mount Hood is nearly as blue as its big brother in southern Oregon" (Oregon Live)
Contributors
- User:retiredjerry (creator)