The total day hike covers 17 miles. Coming from the north, the alternate leaves the old trail at the Grouse Hill junction with the North Entrance road. The trail parallels the road up to North Junction where it follows the rim of the caldera, offering spectacular views of the lake for six miles all the way to Discovery Point. From there, the trail descends back down the Dutton Creek trail to rejoin the old trail. Wizard Island offers excellent hiking opportunities to those who make the effort to get to it.
Tour boats make regular trips to the island during the summer months.
From the 800-foot summit of Wizard Island, you can peer into the clear waters of America's deepest lake and enjoy a great view of Mount Scott and Garfield Peak. Mount Scott , in fact, is just a hop from the visitor's center on the mainland and can round out a weekend of hiking at Crater Lake. The only access to the shore of Crater Lake is Cleetwood Cove trail. Located on the north side of Crater Lake, it is the only safe and legal access to the lake. The trail is one mile in length and drops 700 feet from the East Rim Drive trailhead to the lakeshore.