The Maiden Peak Shelter Traverse, 1200' e.g., 13 mi RT. 1 night
Details
Where are we off to? Where the PCT intersects Highway 58. Next door is the Willamette Ski Resort, if that helps you zero in on the location.
So, here's the plan:
Arrive at rendezvous location. Figure out who's driving with who. Meet Barb in La Pine?
Saturday 9th, arrive at the PCT trailhead via parking in the small lot, or if it's full, across the street.
Hike 3.8 miles/700' eg., along the PCT to Upper Rosary Lake (Set up base camp to the east)
Pretty views there though the lake might be frozen over. Still, it's a viable water source.
Optional: 2.8 miles/400' aeg., to Maiden Shelter. Lunch?
Return to camp.
-OR- Maiden Shelter is one of a handful of shelters you can spend the night in. The loft will hold 15 people. I've stayed there, it's a cool experience. Just bring your backpacking chairs as the benches ain't that comfy.
Sunday 10th, return 3.8 miles to vehicles, and back to Bend ~ 3pm.
The Maiden Peak shelter is unusual in that it is an octagonal, two-story structure. The loft has room for 15 hikers. Inside, replete with a woodstove (firewood outside), a table, shelving, and lots of windows on the first floor. *Bring sit pads or your backpacking chairs. Wish we could all spend the night there. Perhaps I'll post it again come May/June. A gal pal and I spent the night there 5 years ago. It was wonderful--thank god another couple broke trail going in. We both schlecked our gear via our backpacks. Two nights, one where this adventure will take us, the 2nd night at the shelter. 6 miles back to the trailhead the following day. Whew!
Here's the entire loop via Alltrails Blow it up and you'll see the shelter in the upper right portion of the trail. You'll see a spur. At the end is the shelter.
I will send a weather update as we approach the go to date.
What to bring? Cold weather gear and wear, 10 Essentials. Two days worth of food, and electrolytes. The water sources are the three Rosary Lakes.
I need a couple of members with snow park passes (depending on where we park) to volunteer their vehicles. All will chip in $15 for gas. It will take 1.5 hours to get to the TH from Bend.
The end time is approximate.