Elevation Gain
1,000.00 ft (304.80 m)
Trail type
There-and-back
Distance
5.00 mi (8.05 km)
Warming hut
Yes
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

The Maiden Peak Shelter is a respite for both summer and winter travelers along the Pacific Crest Trail. This fully enclosed cabin provides space for up to 15 people (although that would be pretty tight!). Volunteers help maintain the cabin and stock it with wood for the winter, although the supply often runs out before the season is over. The cabin is well-equipped with axes for splitting wood, solar lights, tables, benches, and a wood stove. A second floor loft is an excellent place to bed down for the night.

The forest surrounding the cabin is incredibly peaceful and beautiful. Most of the walk will keep you in the trees, but an occasional view towards Mount Ray, Fuji Mountain and Waldo Lake will take your breath away.

There are a few ways to get back to the shelter, but the quickest way is to start from the Gold Lake Sno-Park. Although the trails are well-marked with signs and blue diamonds, people seem to get lost frequently on their way to the cabin. Be prepared with a map and compass or GPS and the ability to use them. Also, start early enough in the day to have enough sunlight to navigate to the shelter. You may find an unbroken trail covered in fresh snow, which takes much more time than walking on a groomed trail. Plan accordingly.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Winter

Congestion

Moderate

Parking Pass

Sno-Park Parking Permit (required in OR + WA 11.01 thru 04.30)

Pros

Well-marked trails to the cabin.

Cons

You may be sharing space with groups that don't share your backcountry values.

Pets allowed

Allowed

Trailhead Elevation

4,990.00 ft (1,520.95 m)

Features

Cross-country skiing
Shelters
Warming hut

Typically multi-day

No

Groomed trail

No

Location

Nearby Adventures

Comments

08/29/2020
I did all three summit trails during this month. The round trip mileages are 8, 11, and 17. All trails are well maintained and pretty easy other than the long mileage. Great views from the top.

Here is a video guide showing info on all three summit trails:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrEY6Bs6_S0
07/17/2018


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