Hemlock Butte Ski Cabin

About

Hemlock Butte Ski Cabin is a primitive backcountry winter cabin situated at the base of Mount Bailey in Umpqua National Forest near Diamond Lake. Built by the Edelweiss Ski Club in 1990, this three-story A-frame cabin provides shelter for up to 8 people and is a popular destination for experienced winter recreationists. Access requires a challenging 4-mile ski or snowshoe journey via the Hemlock Butte Trail from Three Lakes Sno-Park, making this a true backcountry experience. The cabin's ground floor serves as a living area with benches surrounding a wood stove used for heating and melting snow. The middle floor provides sleeping space, while the top floor offers light storage accessed by a wall-mounted ladder. An indoor outhouse with a vault toilet is attached to the cabin. Firewood is provided by volunteers and Forest Service staff, but guests should use it conservatively as mid-season restocking is impossible. The cabin has no electricity, running water, beds, or cooking facilities beyond a pot for melting snow. The location offers exceptional winter recreation opportunities in the Southern Oregon Cascades. Mount Bailey, rising to 8,363 feet, averages 600 inches of snow annually and provides 6,000 acres of backcountry skiing terrain. Advanced skiers can attempt the challenging 2-mile ascent with 3,300 feet of elevation gain from the cabin to the summit. On clear days, views extend to Mount Thielsen, Mount Bailey, and Crater Lake's rim. Multiple winter trails crisscross the area, though snowmobiles are prohibited on the Hemlock Butte Trail.

Directions

From Roseburg, travel east on OR-138 / Diamond Lake Boulevard for approximately 84 miles. Turn right onto Highway 230. Three Lakes Sno-Park is approximately 2.5 miles ahead on the right. From the Sno-Park, ski or snowshoe 4 miles via the Hemlock Butte Trail to reach the cabin.