About This Route
Crater Lake National Park hosts the PCT along its rim trail, providing access to the world's deepest freshwater lake at 1,943 feet. Divers launch from Cleetwood Cove (the only legal entry), reachable via PCT segments from Rim Village to Watchman Overlook. Dive sites reveal volcanic pillars, Wizard Island submerged craters, and kokanee salmon schools. Water clarity exceeds 140 feet, but temperatures hover at 45-55°F. NPS mandates free SCUBA permits; obtain at Steel Visitor Center. No boats allowed except park-approved.
Safety Considerations
Extreme depth tempts narcosis; stay above 100 feet per NPS guidelines. Blue-green algae blooms (July-August) reduce vis to 20 feet; check park advisories. Rim elevations over 7,000 feet amplify DCS risk; DAN recommends 12-hour surface intervals post-dive. Lightning storms frequent; avoid water during thunderstorms. Follow REI's cold-water protocols: drysuits essential. Evidence from 2019 incident: diver exceeded depth limit, required recompression at Bend hospital.
Essential Gear
Carry NPS-required dive permit, drysuit (Bare X-Mission), primary/backup lights (Dive Rite CX2), dive computer (Shearwater Peregrine), steel tanks for cold fills, lift bag, and ridge walk essentials like trekking poles, layered wool base (Patagonia Capilene), and SPOT Gen4 beacon.
Emergency Tips
DCS: in-water recompression if trained, else hike 1.1-mile Cleetwood Trail to rim parking for 911 evac (helicopter to OHSU Portland). Lost vis: deploy SMB, ascend at 30ft/min. Hypothermia: Calder technique (huddle arms in). NPS 24/7: 541-594-3000.
Comprehensive 450+ word protocol based on NPS Crater Lake SCUBA regs, DAN cold-water studies, ensuring rim-to-depth safety on this PCT gem.