Lightning Spring
What to Expect
Safety Advisory
The return climb gains all 1,300 feet in about four miles — pace yourself and bring more water than you think you need, especially in July and August when the thin air at 7,000 feet compounds the effort.
Snow lingers on this north-facing slope well into July most years. Early-season hikers should expect route-finding through snowfields and slippery footing near the spring.
Trail Details
Pro Tips
Start from the rim in the morning when the descent is cool and shaded — you'll thank yourself during the uphill return when afternoon heat settles into the forest.
The spring is your only reliable water source on this route, so carry a filter and top off there. Don't count on the creek running strong later in summer.
Where the trail meets the PCT junction, turn south for a quarter-mile bonus — you'll get a perspective on the park's volcanic backcountry that 99% of Crater Lake visitors never see.
