Thousand Springs Sno-park and Nordic Trails

OLD WAGON ROAD TRAIL - Easy to More Difficult (7.0 Miles) : Starting at the bulletin board, proceed on the trail past the snow shelter. The Nordic user will follow this combined use section of the Rocktop Trail (Easiest) for 1.5 miles. Since this section is near the snow shelter and the trail head, it can be very congested. Please be cautious and courteous. At 1.5 miles from the trailhead, the user turns onto the Old Wagon Road Nordic trail, which runs for 3.5 miles. Starting on Forest Service land, the trail follows a historic wagon road through Whiskey Creek Camp and into Crater Lake National Park. This section weaves through beautiful old growth trees and sections of the park seen by few visitors. After circling through the park, the trail reconnects with the Rocktop Trail near Thousand Springs. An opening along this section provides a picturesque view of Thousand Springs where many small springs bubble out of the ground. Follow the Rocktop Trail (combined use section) for two miles back to the Sno-Park. The Old Wagon Road was first cleared by the U.S. Army troops in 1864 as a wagon route from Jacksonville to Fort Klamath ­ one of the first roads to cross the Southern Cascade Range. "Whiskey Camp", is said to have been named by soldiers after a wagon full of illegal whiskey was emptied into the creek. By the 1870's, the route was being used by early day tourists on their way to Crater Lake. Zane Grey, an author and adventurer, and many others traveled the "Crater Lake Road" by foot, horse, wagon, and automobile. By the 1930's, the old route had been replaced by present Hwy. 62. Although some of the abandoned road has returned to forest, ruts and axe-blazed trees are still visible along this section. JACKPINE TRAIL - Easiest (7.5 miles; 15 round trip) : The Jackpine Trail is the main connection route between Thousand Springs and Farewell Bend Sno-Parks. Starting from the bulletin board, the 7.5 miles (one-way) of trail follows the combined use section of Whiskey Creek (Easiest) for the first half mile before turning into the Jackpine Nordic trail. Three and a half miles down the trail the skier can take the Union Creek Trail or stay on the Jackpine Trail for the remaining 3.5 miles to Farewell Bend Sno-Park. Prior to the Sno-Park, the trail turns into a combined use section for a short distance. Note: There is a very steep downhill stretch on this section, please look this over before attempting. The Jackpine Trail follows a forest road through a diverse landscape. The skier will travel through heavily forested areas, both young and old. Several large openings along the trail provide areas to some exploring, before returning to the main trail. This section is a very easy ski and is great for beginners. Directions from Prospect: Follow Hwy. 62 north past Union Creek Resort, 8.0 miles to the Thousand Springs Sno-Park.