The bizarre death of Charles McCullar in Crater Lake National Park - “the Melting Man of Crater Lake”
Updated and expanded August 2024
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, a tributary of the Rogue River, 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.
Michael C Bouchard, the author of “The Disappearance of Charles Welsey McCullar”, is highly skeptical and dismissive of such theories. He states as a conclusion to his investigations that “I found no evidence linking McCullar’s disappearance and recovery of his remains to criminal activity or paranormal events… it’s essential to address the speculation that McCullar was the victim of a violent crime. There is no physical evidence to support this belief, so it should be dismissed. Additionally, the idea that McCullar was the victim of a paranormal event is unfounded and should be dismissed as a common absurdity.”
Despite the authorities stating the cause of death as exposure to the elements, several aspects of this case are very puzzling. For example, how did Charles make it so far into the park with so much snow in the area without skis or snow shoes? Why was his valuable camera and money never found? Were they stolen?
Whether McCullar’s father is correct and foul play was involved, or the demise of Charles McCullar was purely due to hypothermia is a matter of debate that is unlikely ever to be resolved.
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Charles McCullar case photos
Crater Lake
Crater Lake National Park map
Roads around Crater Lake and winter opening
Bybee creek
Diamond Lake Resort
Marion Lee Jack 1934 - 2013
Dave Lange 1967
Bybee Creek remains inventory taken by Lange and Jack
October 19 1976 search of Bybee Creek area
