Oregon

The bizarre death of Charles McCullar in Crater Lake National Park - “the Melting Man of Crater Lake”

Charles McCullar Crater Lake disappearance and death

CHARLES MCCULLAR, DISAPPEARED JANUARY 1975, BODY FOUND OCTOBER 13, 1976, BYBEE CREEK DRAINAGE, CRATER LAKE NATIONAL PARK, OREGON.

A keen outdoorsman and photographer, Charles McCullar, headed to the famous and beautiful Crater Lake National Park in Oregon to take pictures of the area. He left Eugene in Oregon and planned to travel to Crater Lake for four days, leaving on January 29, 1975, and intended to return by February 1. Unfortunately, Charles never made it back.

His remains were discovered over 18 months later, in October 1976, near Bybee Creek by two Texan hikers who were on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). One of the rangers who found his remains infamously referred to McCullar as the “melting man of Crater Lake” during an interview with David Paulides. However, the information provided in this interview is controversial and contradicts other reports from the NPS.

Correspondence between McCullar’s father and the FBI showed that he was convinced that he was murdered in the park, with his money and camera stolen before his body was dumped near Bybee Creek.

Several aspects of this case are very puzzling. For example, how did Charles make it so far into the park with huge amounts of snow in the area without skis or snowshoes? Why was his valuable camera and money never found?

To read the full story, either buy the article or become a member of the Exclusive Member area for access to many mysterious stories.

Crater Lake Oregon
Bybee creek

Bybee creek

StrangeOutdoors Exclusive Members Only Area
$15.99
One time

Exclusive articles for members of StrangeOutdoors that are not available elsewhere on the site.


✓ 61 articles as of 2024