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Snow Peak Cabin is located high in the mountains of northeastern Washington state. It provides a year-round base camp from which guests can access thousands of acres of back country for skiing, hunting and exploration. Depending on the season, guests may also choose to enjoy the extensive system of quality mountain bike, horse and hiking trails that connect with the cabin.
The cabin is not accessible by vehicle and the area around the cabin is closed to all forms of motorized use. The winter route begins at the Kettle Crest Trailhead on Sherman Pass (State Highway 20) and has a one-way distance of approximately five miles for skiers and snowshoers. Winter visitors are advised to carry snow chains and a shovel in their vehicle as winter storms and icy conditions can make it difficult to exit the trailhead, even after it has been plowed. Hikers, bikers and horseback riders can access the cabin in the summer and fall from the Snow Peak Trailhead via the 3-mile Snow Peak Trail. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities.
In addition to camping, visitors to the area enjoy hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding on a variety of trails in the area. The Snow Peak Trail No. 10, Kettle Crest South Trail No. 13, Sherman Loop Trail No. 72 and Edds Mountain Trail No. 3 can all be accessed from the cabin. Climbing, snowshoeing and skiing in the area are also popular.
Visitors also enjoy the area for hunting during open seasons, as the open mountain meadows throughout the area entice a variety of wildlife. The cabin is in a remote location and guests are advised to carry a topographic map of the area and a compass when leaving the cabin at any time.
The one-room 17-by-19 cabin has cots and foam pads to accommodate up to four people. It is also equipped with a propane cook stove, a table, basic cookware and cutlery, and a wood stove for heat. Solar-powered lighting and an outhouse are provided. Horse corrals are also available for equestrian campers and a spring fed water trough is located near the cabin along the Kettle Crest 13 South trail.
Firewood is provided, but guests must split their own wood with an axe and tools that are provided. Firewood must be flown into the cabin by helicopter every two or three years, which is very expensive. Guests are asked to use the firewood conservatively while heating the cabin. Given the size of the cabin and the efficiency of the wood stove, a little wood can go a long ways. In addition, firewood provided at the cabin is not to be used in any user created outdoor fire rings.
Guests must bring their own water for drinking, cooking and cleaning purposes. Sleeping bags, toilet paper, garbage bags and food are also not provided. Cell phone service is not available in the area.
The cabin sits at an elevation of 6,400 feet, on a ridge in the Kettle River Mountain Range in the Colville National Forest. It was built through the cooperative efforts of the Snow Peak Shelter Alliance and the Colville National Forest. Construction took nearly three years and was completed in 1995. Views from the cabin stretch from the Cascades to the mountains of Canada and northern Idaho. The Kettle Range encompasses an area of 2,700 miles. The range runs north to south, bordered on the east by the Kettle River and the Columbia River, and on the west by the Kettle River, the Curlew Valley and the Sanpoil River. Wildlife in the area include hawks, bear and cougars.
The cabin is near trailheads, a picnic area and the Sherman Pass Scenic Byway. The popular highway runs 40 miles from the town of Republic to the west and the Columbia River to the east, passing through the center of the Kettle Range. It reaches its highest point, 5,575 feet, at Sherman Pass, the highest mountain pass open year-round in Washington state.
Winter access: From Seattle take Highway 2 east to Wenatchee, Highway 97 north to Tonasket, and Highway 20 east to Republic. From Republic, travel east on State Highway 20 to the Kettle Crest Trailhead located on top of Sherman Pass. Follow the Kettle Crest Trail No. 13 south for one mile, to the junction of the Sherman Loop Trail No. 72. Continue around the west side of Sherman Peak, to Kettle Crest Trail No. 13. Continue south on the trail to the cabin. Approximate distance for one-way travel is five miles. Summer and fall access: In addition to the above route, the cabin may be reached via County Road 99 (Hall Creek Road). From State Highway 20, turn south on County Road 99 (turn left if traveling from Kettle Falls/turn right from Republic). Travel south for approximately three miles and then turn left onto Forest Road 2050100. Continue east along the road for 4.5 miles until you reach the Snow Peak Trailhead. Follow the trail east for approximately 2.7 miles, to its junction with Kettle Crest Trail No. 13. Turn right and continue south for about a half-mile to the cabin. The approximate distance is 3.2 miles each way.
Hiked in from the pass as kid. Cabin didn't even have a door on it yet. It was beautiful scenery then and only better now I'd imagine.
If Snow Peak Cabin isn't a 5 star, I don't know what is. We often ride from Sherman Pass to the cabin and back on our yearly mountain bike trip to the Kettle Crest.
Nice trek to the cabin. First time there and ran into some fog and had a bit a difficulty finding it. Fortunately the fog lifted and we were able to see the cabin from above. The cabin was very cozy and the wood stove kept the hut very warm. The dishes were not very clean and had to wash them. Next time we may bring in our own. There are signs of mice infestation, but none were seen while we were there. Nevertheless, it was like an oasis in the middle of the mountains and a very welcome site! Looking forward to our next trip there.
Very scenic hike. Not much elevation gain since started at Sherman Pass. Not many wildflowers compared to hiking Sherman Peak Loop in July. In July wild flowers were amazing. Strongly recommend this hike.
Absolutely fantastic!! Had it booked late October for a couple nights. Already about 4" of snow on the ground. The 5 mile hike in through the snow was brilliant! Maybe a bit slow, but it was cold... Cabin itself is in great shape. Plenty of wood for the stove. It gets really warm really quick. We ended up sleeping with windows open initially even though it was 20° F outside. Even has an outhouse WITH toilet paper supplied. It's been really hard to reserve, but I'm going to try and do an annual trip with friends.
