Pinnacles Overlook

Head off the beaten path in Crater Lake National Park.

Hiking Easy

Distance: 2.3 km
Ascent: 29 m
Descent: 29 m
Duration: 0-1 hrs

Low Point: 1.6 km
High Point: 1.7 km
Gradient: 1˚

While Crater Lake itself is the primary focal point of the vast majority of tourism in Crater Lake National Park, heading off the beaten path can reward the intrepid explorer with unexpected, stunning vistas. One such location is the pinnacles area in the southeastern corner of the park.

Description

The Pinnacles Overlook hike is an easy 1.4-mile round trip hike along the rim of a sheer canyon. Along the canyon walls, you'll spot beautiful spires of volcanic pumice that have been formed by a combination of the volcanic action of Mount Mazama and erosion from the nearby stream. "Some cones are especially tall and graceful, dozens of feet tall and tapering very gradually to a sharp point - perhaps the narrowest erosional features in the West," according to AmericanSouthwest.net.

The hike shown here follows a flat, easy trail that leads to a variety of viewpoints above the pinnacles. While the trail is easy, the views are absolutely stellar, proving to be well-worth the drive off the beaten path to reach this far-flung corner of the national park.