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Crater Lake National Park

Saturday, August 15, 2026 - Saturday, August 22, 2026 -- $1900 ★



Description

Join us for a weeklong hiking adventure in Crater Lake National Park, one of the most visually stunning natural wonders in the United States. Formed over 7,700 years ago by the eruption and collapse of Mount Mazama, Crater Lake is renowned for the incredibly deep, clear, and intensely blue water. Perched over 2,000 feet above the surface of the lake, we’ll explore the caldera rim and surrounding peaks with sweeping, panoramic views at every turn.


Our home base for the week will be Mazama Village Campground, conveniently located within the park. From there, we’ll embark on a series of day hikes to many of the park’s most iconic viewpoints and summits, including Garfield Peak (8,094'), The Watchman (8,054'), and Mount Scott (8,934'), the highest point in the park.


Throughout the week, expect nearly continuous expansive views of the lake, the surrounding Cascade Mountains, and dramatic volcanic landscapes. Each day offers a new perspective on this unique national park while allowing you to return to a comfortable base camp each evening.



Topographical Map of Proposed Route

See Topo map


Weather

Weather is always an important consideration when hiking, especially in high-elevation mountain environments like Crater Lake National Park. In August, typical daytime temperatures range from the 60s to 70s, with nighttime lows in the 40s and 50s. However, the weather can be unpredictable—daytime highs may reach into the 90s, while overnight lows can dip near freezing, particularly at higher elevations.


Although summer usually brings fair and dry conditions, rain is always a possibility, and patches of snow may still be present on some trails. Participants should come prepared for a full range of weather conditions, including sun protection, warm layers for cold nights, and rain gear.



Probable Trip Leaders

Bruce Cannon
Any Other Guide(s) TBD

Cost

$1900 per person double occupancy. Here, double occupancy means that you will share a hotel room with another trip participant. Single room accommodations are available for purchase. You will also be responsible for transportation to and from Medford, OR (MFR), as well as personal equipment, restaurant meals (typically 2 dinners) and any gratuities for guides. You may also be charged for any parking charges for leaving your car at the hotel all week if you drive.


Covered expenses include 2 hotel nights, storage fees, 6 days of trail meals, airport transfers, ground transportation to/from/within the National Park, park permits, park entrance fees and awesome guides.


Tipping: In order to keep our prices competitive with (and hopefully favorable to) other outfitters, we shamefully can’t pay our guides as much as we think they deserve. Like most other guiding services, we rely on the generosity of our participants to make up this shortfall by tipping the guides. Gratuity can comprise a significant and important part of a guide’s compensation. The industry recommended gratuity amount is 10-20% of the trip cost. Gratuities are always optional and based on level of satisfaction but generally account for 30-60% of their income through gratuities. Fitpacking supports tipping to the greatest extent possible while remaining tactful and professional. Guides are not permitted to solicit tips in any way other than doing an exceptional job supporting and providing exceptional customer service to our participants. If your guides have served you well, please support them with gratuities so they can continue living their extravagant lifestyles of eating powdered meals, sleeping in the dirt and pooping in smelly outhouses and small holes they've dug.



Important Notes about this trip

The trails around Crater Lake National Park are generally well-maintained and easy to follow, though occasional blowdowns may be encountered in less-trafficked areas. While the terrain is not technical, hikers should be prepared for sustained elevation changes. Most days will include long uphill climbs followed by equally long descents, as we ascend to rim viewpoints and mountain summits before returning to base camp.


Participants should have a moderate level of fitness and be comfortable with steady elevation gain and loss over the course of several miles. The reward? Breathtaking panoramic views of Crater Lake’s rim, volcanic peaks, and the surrounding Cascade wilderness.


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Itinerary
Weather
Guides for this trip
Cost
Important Note
Difficulty (Please Read)
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Itinerary


Saturday, August 15, 2026

Drive or Fly into Medford, OR (MFR). The best time to arrive is between around Noon-3PM. However, if you can save a substantial amount on your flight by arriving a few hours earlier or later, then do so.

Take the free airport shuttle to local hotel: TBD

We will assemble at: TBD, To Be Determined

Equipment shakedown. We go through your packs to make sure you're prepared for the trip equipment-wise.

Make-your-own trail mix bar. You craft your personal trail mix from a cornucopia of nuts, fruits, sweets and occasional wildcard items that we provide.

Trip to REI Medford, (541) 732-1938, 85 Rossanley Drive, Medford, OR 97501 for last minute forgotten items

Go out to welcome dinner at local restaurant. Cost of dinner not included in trip cost.

Stay in local hotel: TBD, To Be Determined


Sunday, August 16, 2026

Free breakfast in Hotel

All the items that you won't bring on the trail will be set aside and put in storage.

Shuttle about 2.5 hours to the Mazama Campground

Set up camp for the week and have lunch

Shuttle to Park Headquarters to pick up permit

Hike 0.7 miles on the Lady of the Woods Loop, elevation 6400'

Hike 1.3 roundtrip miles to the Castle Crest Wildflower Garden Loop, elevation 6500'

Shuttle to the Watchman, elevation 7400'

Hike 1.4 roundtrip miles to the summit of the Watchman, elevation 8056'

Shuttle back to the Mazama Campground, site(s) TBD

Mileage Today: 3.4. Total mileage: 3.4


Monday, August 17, 2026

Shuttle to Mt. Scott, elevation 7450'

Hike 5.0 roundtrip miles to the summit of Mt. Scott, elevation 8929' (highest in the park)

Shuttle to Plaikni Falls Trailhead, elevation 6400'

Hike 2.0 round trip miles to Plaikni Falls, elevation 6656'

Shuttle back to the Mazama Campground, site(s) TBD

Mileage Today: 7.0. Total mileage: 10.4


Tuesday, August 18, 2026

Shuttle to North Junction on the Crater Lake Rim

Hike 4.4 undulating miles with all day views of the lake on the Crater Lake Rim to Rim Village

Shuttle back to the Mazama Campground, site(s) TBD

Hike 1.7 miles on the Annie Creek Trail just adjacent to the campground, elevation 5800'-6000'

Mileage Today: 6.1. Total mileage: 16.5


Wednesday, August 19, 2026

Shuttle to Vidae Falls, elevation 6400'

Day-Hike 6.2 round trip miles on the Crater Peak Trail to Crater Peak, elevation 7263'

Shuttle to the Godfrey Glen Trail, elevation 6000'

Day-Hike 1.0 miles on the Godfrey Glen Trail featuring old growth forest, elevation 6050'

Shuttle back to the Mazama Campground, site(s) TBD

Mileage Today: 7.2. Total mileage: 23.7


Thursday, August 20, 2026

Shuttle to Rim Village, elevation 7100'

Day-Hike 3.4 miles round trip to Garfield Peak Summit, elevation 8054'

Shuttle back to the Mazama Campground, site(s) TBD

Mileage Today: 3.4. Total mileage: 27.2

Possible bailout: Rim Drive


Friday, August 21, 2026

Break camp. Pack up all items and put them in vehicle(s)

Shuttle to the Pinnacles Overlook, elevation 5500'

Day-Hike 1.0 round trip miles to the Pinnacles, elevation 5500'

Shuttle to Sun Notch, elevation 7000'

Day-Hike 0.5 round trip miles to the Phantom Ship Overlook, elevation 7100'

End of hiking

Mileage Today: 1.5. Total mileage: 28.6

Possible bailout: Rim Drive

Shuttle back to local hotel TBD

Shuttle back to local hotel: TBD, To Be Determined

Gather your off-trail items from storage

Farewell dinner at a local restaurant (Dinner cost not included in trip price)

Stay in our local hotel (included in trip cost)

This is the official end of the trip. You are welcome to spend the night at the hotel, however if you drove and would like to get on the road or if you flew and would like to schedule a late flight (or a red-eye if this is a West Coast trip) you can definitely do so.


Saturday, August 22, 2026

Free Breakfast in hotel

Take free airport shuttle or we will drop you off or pay for a shared cab/Uber


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