Sitting around 5,300 feet on the north edge of Timpanogas Lake, the Timpanogas Shelter has amazing views of the water and Sawtooth Mountain. It is ideally situated for both summer and winter activities, and it becomes a wonderful base camp for day hikes to Indigo, June, and Opal lakes as well as other trail systems such as the Middle Fork Willamette Trail. Because of the high elevation, nights can be chilly even during the summer months.
The 15-foot by 18-foot rustic shelter was constructed in 1991 in a collaborative effort between the Forest Service, the University of Oregon, and the Walker Rim Snowmobile Club. The shelter is accessible by car, but during the winter months snow may make the road impassable. Hiking or snowshoeing in is possible.
Amenities include a wood burning stove, a sleeping loft, and a picnic table and benches. It can comfortably accommodate about six people, and there is room outside for additional tents. A fire ring, picnic table, and vault toilet are all located nearby. Potable water can be found at the Timpanogas Campground on the other side of the lake, about a mile from the shelter, during the summer months. Firewood is generously provided during the winter months by the volunteers with the Walker Rim Riders.
Reservations are required from June through November, but the shelter is first-come, first-served during the winter months.
Comments
The sleeping loft is about 17'x4.5' so you can easily sleep 4-6 people on the platform, no need to bring an extra cot if you're a small enough group. There was also quite a bit of firewood stocked at the shelter as well.
This spot was beyond beautiful with fresh snowfall, a lake with a mountain view, secluded all to ourselves. I could not have asked for a better birthday outdoor adventure! It snowed pretty much all day on Wednesday the 11th. The dogs had a blast playing in the snow and then being able to cuddle up in a warm bed, they get a little grumpy tent camping in the winter so this was a welcomed change. We hiked to Indigo Lake and back in the snow showers and enjoyed a warm fire in the stove on our return. We brought 3 bundles of store bought fire wood intended to restock what we used from the woodshed but there wasn't very much wood when we arrived and burned through most of ours. We moved some larger logs under the roof outside, getting snowed on, into the shed to dry out. Not sure how much use this thing sees in the winter but there is not enough wood to keep the stove hot for too many more days. I definitely would come back here again for even longer it was such a relaxing getaway, just enough "luxury" for me while camping.
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