The Subnivean Zone

An ecosystem where life thrives just below the surface

Underneath winter's white blanket of snow exists an ecosystem teeming with energy and life - the subnivean zone. Once winter arrives and snowfall covers the ground and the trees, we start to notice a stillness to the forest. But below the surface exists a world where animals can live and survive without being bothered by the harsh winter conditions that exist above ground.

Photo by Chaney Swiney

The subnivean zone quite literally means below snow; sub being the Latin translation for below and niveus meaning snow. When snow falls before the ground is completely frozen solid, the ground warms up the snow that sits directly on top of the it and ultimately creates water vapor. That water vapor rises and begins to form ice crystals on the lowest layer of snowpack and this layer of ice acts as a ceiling as more snow piles on top. The snow that falls on top of the subnivean zone creates insulation and keeps the internal temperature around 32 degrees, allowing both plants and animals to survive the harsh winter.

The subnivean zone is home to many small mammals such as rabbits, mice, voles, shrews, and lemmings. These mammals use the labyrinth of tunnels for traveling, sleeping, and storing food. This zone can even have direct routes to food sources such as seeds and grasses. The only visible part of the subnivean zone above ground is the hole they use to enter and exit this elusive world. These holes are not only essential for entrance and exit but also double as exhaust vents for carbon dioxide from animal respiration to escape. When out exploring and playing up in the mountains, you may see tracks from different critters zig-zagging from tree to tree. The mountain hemlock and subapline fir that cover the Cascade mountains are terrific gateways to the subnivean zone.

While some animals utilize the subnivean zone as a place of shelter and safety, predators use it as a hunting ground. Owls, foxes, coyotes, wolves, and the fearsome pine marten can hear the movements of the small animals under the snow and can plunge into the snow collapsing the tunnels, catching themselves a meal. (Think of the fox jumping into the snow head first, this is their intention).

Photo by Chaney Swiney

Photo by Chaney Swiney

Weasels, such as the pine marten, can take over some of the tunnels and chambers created by other animals to keep themselves warm and protected. Weasels have to hunt anywhere between 5-10 times daily since they use a lot of energy heating their long bodies, a small stomach, and a resting metabolic rate twice that of similar sized animals. Owls and overhead predators listen while perched on nearby branches, and then swoop in when the time is right.

Not only is the subnivean zone important for animal life, it is also essential for plant life as well. The zone and the layers of snow that fall on top protect potentially fragile ecosystems from being stepped on while many of us explore the outdoors in the winter time.

One of the best ways to experience and gain an understanding for the subnivean zone is by snowshoeing. It is a great way to explore off trail and access areas that are normally filled with small trees, shrubs, and wildflowers. You are almost certain to see animal tracks moving from tree well to tree well as animals enter the different tunnels and caverns of the subnivean world that is literally right below your feet!

---

Discover the subnivean zone with us!

Daytime Snowshoe Tours

The History of Crater Lake National Park

Crater Lake National Park, located about 2 hours south of Bend, is a natural wonder and is Oregon’s only National Park. The lake itself is the deepest lake in the United States with a depth of 1,943 feet and is one of the most pristine and beautiful bodies of water in the world.

The history of Crater Lake National Park is closely tied to the geology of the region. The park is located on the site of an ancient volcano, Mount Mazama, which erupted around 7,700 years ago. The eruption was one of the largest in the last 10,000 years, and it created a massive caldera that eventually filled with water to form Crater Lake.

The geology of the region is simply fascinating, and scientists have studied the area for decades to learn more about the history of the volcano and the formation of the lake. They discovered that Mount Mazama was once over 12,000 feet tall, but after the eruption, the magma chamber was emptied and the volcano collapsed into itself. The eruption also released massive amounts of ash and pumice, signs of which can still be seen in the park today.

Artist rendition of Mt. Mazama prior to the eruption that formed Crater Lake - Courtesy of craterlakeinstitute.com

Native American connection to the Crater Lake area can be traced back before the cataclysmic eruption of Mount Mazama, with archeologists finding sandals and other artifacts buried under layers of ash and pumice from the eruption. The Native American Klamath Tribe have lived in the area for centuries, and they have their own unique history and connection to the area. They have long revered the lake as a sacred place and have many stories and legends about the lake and the volcano. They call the lake Giiwas, which means “deep blue water”. Accounts of the eruption can be found in stories told by the Klamath Indians, who are descendants of the Makalak people. The Makalak legend, as told in the film The Crater Lake Story is as follows: “The spirit of the mountain was called Chief of the Below World (Llao). The spirit of the sky was called Chief of the Above World (Skell). Sometimes Llao came up from his home inside the earth and stood on top of Mount Mazama, one of the highest mountains in the region. During one of these visits, he saw the Makalak chief’s beautiful daughter and fell in love with her. He promised her eternal life if she would return with him to his lodge below the mountain. When she refused, he became angry and declared that he would destroy her people with fire. In his rage, he rushed up through the opening of his mountain and stood on top of it and began to hurl fire down upon them. The mighty Skell took pity on the people and stood atop Mount Shasta to defend them. From their mountaintops, the two chiefs waged a furious battle. They hurled red hot rocks as large as hills. They made the earth tremble and caused great landslides of fire. The people fled in terror to the waters of Klamath Lake. Two holy men offered to sacrifice themselves by jumping into the pit of fire on top of Llao’s mountain. Skell was moved by their bravery and drove Llao back into Mount Mazama. When the sun rose next, the great mountain was gone. It had fallen in on Llao. All that remained was a large hole. Rain fell in torrents, filling the hole with water. This is now called Crater Lake” (nps.gov). For most Native American tribes in the area such as the Klamath and Umpqua, the lake was and still is a sacred place and because of the sacred nature of the area, Native Americans did not disclose the existence of the lake to early European settlers and explorers. 

William Gladstone Steel (far right) stands with (l-r) Phil Metscham, Dr. John Wesley Hill, Sen. Charles Fulton, and Joaquin Miller, on the rim of Crater Lake in 1903. (Image: Oregon Historical Society)

Crater Lake National Park was first discovered by European Americans in 1853 by a gold prospector named John Wesley Hillman. He was searching for gold in the area when he stumbled upon the lake and was amazed by its beauty and the stunningly clear blue water. However beautiful, the lack of gold led to the lake being essentially forgotten. Over time, more explorers and settlers found the lake were marveled by its beauty. In 1870, William Gladstone Steel, a young man from Ohio read an article about the unusual lake and vowed to see the lake for himself. 15 years later, he finally made good on his vow and saw the lake. Steel was so awestruck that he began a 17 year quest to get the area established as a National Park and in 1902, the area was officially established by Theordore Roosevelt and has been protected and preserved ever since.

---

Wanderlust Tours offers year round custom and private Crater Lake tours. In the summer we explore on foot and in the winter we journey on snowshoe! We also offer two public Crater Lake tours per year - one in the summer and one in the winter. To learn more about our Crater Lake tours, click here.

A Fun and Unique Way to Spend New Year’s Eve in Bend, Oregon

Recapping the Final Evening of 2022

It was a night that was simply unforgettable. As we journeyed on snowshoes, the lush, old growth forest of the Central Cascades had an ethereal glow to it. The light from our headlamps as well as the twinkling stars and moon above, shimmered and danced off of the freshly fallen snow. It was a truly  picturesque evening. After several days of heavy snowfall, the heavens finally opened up allowing the celestial magic of our solar system to shine through. Reminiscent of a Robert Frost poem, the spirit of the forest was palpable on this final night of 2022.

After our magical meander through mountain hemlock and subalpine fir, we noticed a soft glow in the distance. As we neared the glowing aura, we descended upon a Michaelangelo-esque creation, a stunning snow built amphitheater where a crackling bonfire awaited us. The fresh mountain air was rich with the smell of hot cocoa.

We ushered in the New Year in a most intimate and profound setting, gathered around the bonfire, sharing stories, and toasting champagne at the turn of midnight, all while accompanied by the incredible trumpet playing of local musician, author, and teacher, Jon Harnum. Jon has dedicated his life to playing, creating, and teaching music, playing regularly around Bend with Swing 44 on trumpet and rhythm guitar. His beautiful playing perfectly accompanied the serenity of the moment and kept our hearts warm during the cold, mountain night. 

The New Years Eve Bonfire on the Snow is our biggest event of the year and 2022 was no exception! It is our greatest joy to be able to bring people out into the beautiful, wild, and natural world to energize and inspire them. Thank you to all who joined us this year and we hope to see you again on December 31st, 2023!

Interested in joining us?

Click below to book your spot on one of our most magical tours of the year! A fun and unique experience for the whole family!

Already have New Year’s Eve plans in Bend? Come join us on a Daytime Snowshoe or Brews & Views Snowshoe Tour!