By Mariah Cannon

What Exactly is a Warming Shelter and/or Hut?

A warming hut is typically a log cabin in certain forest areas for hikers, skiers, and snowmobiles to use during the winter to, well, warm up! They offer some really unique features and typically make for a enjoyable trip.

There are quite a few scattered throughout Oregon, and if you’re looking for some other ones to check out, I wrote about 5 Additional Warming Huts that are relatively easy to get to and so cozy! Let’s get into it!

Know Before You Go

• Hiking and snowshoeing in the Winter is way different than hiking in the warm months. Remember to pack extra snacks, water, layers, and additional emergency resources pertaining to the terrain you’re in.
• Plan for your snowshoe adventure to take almost double the time a snowless hIke would take you.
• There is little to no cell service out here & it is not a heavily trafficked area. Be sure to let someone know where you’re going, when you’ll be returning, and come prepared.
• The parking is in the Salt Creek Sno Park parking area and you will need a Sno park pass to park there!
• There is no lighters/matches at the warming hut, you’ll need to bring your own to have a warming fire. Occasionally people will leave behind some for the next, but never bank on that being the case!
• Please make sure your fire is all the way out before departing from the warming shelter.
• Everything should be packed out of this area. It is classified as a backcountry area, meaning all human waste, garbage, food, etc. should be packed out and disposed of properly.
• Dogs are allowed on this trail, just make sure your well equipped for backcountry trekking with your furry friend.

About the Snowshoe

Distance: 8 miles round-trip (However when Josh and I went, we clocked closer to 10.)

Elevation: 1,400 feet of gain

Hike Type: Out and Back

Difficulty: Moderate-Moderately difficult

This snowshoe is quite the challenging one, mainly because of the exclusivity of it. Not many snowshoe to it and the area gets a lot of snow, meaning typically – you’ll be breaking trail. It can be brutal and one mile of breaking trail feels like three miles of regular hiking. It truthfully feels like it takes forever to get there, but it’s the most rewarding thing once you do! You hike up forest road 5894 until the last bit, where it turns back for the last bit before the shelter.

There are two “Y’s” you’ll come across throughout the trail. The first one is pretty obvious, but you’ll need to stay to the left and not make a hard right. At about 1.7 miles, there will be a second Y and you’ll need to stay to the right versus making a left. After those, there will be a small left to leave the forest road when nearing the snow shelter, there will be signs & blue diamonds that lead you the rest of the way on the official trail.

About the Shelter

This shelter is so unique! It’s an open wall facing the North with a stove, picnic table, lots of nails for letting things dry, and a super cool loft area that keeps you super warm and out of the elements, especially if you’re staying overnight. That was my favorite feature! In the Summer and on clear Winter days, you can find a gorgeous view of Diamond Peak and some of the Salt Creek Canyon

It was built in 1987, by the Eugene Oregon Marine Reserves Unit along with volunteers. It sits at 5,600 feet elevation wise and offers a unique backcountry experience, whether you’re staying for a couple of hours or the whole night. In the Summer months, permits are required to be able to stay overnight.

Other Things Near By

If you’re wanting to take a weekend trip out to this stunning area, here are a few things you can add to make an adventurous weekend!

• Ski at Willamette Pass Ski Resort, a super fun and inviting environment on the mountain here, not only from the staff, but a good majority of the visitors are kind and willing to lend hands and pointers whenever needed.
• Check out Odell Lake Lodge and Resort, here you’ll find some amazing drinks and food items, a place to stay that gives a very mountain feel, and some easier snowshoeing trails around the lake. P.S. Their hot cocoa is to die for!
• Want more adventure? Cross another snow shelter off your list, by taking the 4 mile round-trip snowshoe to Gold Lake. This one is still on my list, though it looks super awesome!
• Depending on the time of year you visit and the season’s snow and rain levels, make a quick stop at McCredie Hot Springs to relax for a while. This hot springs is basically right off the road along the river, but when rain and snow have been heavy, the river is too high to access it. A pretty stop either way!
• Another great snowshoe that starts out from the same parking lot as Fuji Shelter, is Salt Creek Falls. The road is closed during the Winter to the actual parking lot to do this trail, but you can add a little by parking in the Salt Creek Sno Park area and snowshoe in over the road closure. This is Oregon’s second tallest waterfall and it is so worth the hype!

Let’s Get Adventuring!

Mariah