Little Crater Lake
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
- Hikes to this location:
- Timothy Lake Loop Hike (TH | <— —> | LOG)
- Weather forecast: NWS/NOAA
- Maps: Oregon Hikers Maps Google Maps
- Latitude, Longitude: 45.1472, -121.7507
- Elevation: 3230'
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 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 about 1/4 mile from the Pacific Crest-Little Crater Lake Trail Junction and 100 yards from the Little Crater Lake Trailhead and Campground. The campground is fairly primitive with no drinking water and gravel road access for cars.
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Contributors
- User:retiredjerry (creator)