Snow Survey Cabin
Medicine Bow-Routt Nfs & Thunder Basin Ng
The Snow Survey Cabin provides visitors with a rustic accommodation on the Snowy Range. The cabin, located just off the Snowy Range Scenic Byway at nearly 10,000 feet elevation is available for rent year round. This is an excellent cabin to enjoy everything from warm summer evenings to winter snowmachining or cross country skiing. The one room cabin can accommodate up to four people on two sets of bunk beds. There is a propane cook stove/heater, and solar lights. West access to the cabin during the winter months is one mile from the upper "chains end" gate. A lower closure gate is six miles from the cabin. Winter renters access the cabin via snowmachine, skis, or snowshoes. There is no indoor plumbing, a vault toilet is located outside. Plan to bring water with you. Basic cooking and eating utensils, plates, knives, forks, spoons, cups, and basic pots and pans are furnished. If you use these items, they need to be cleaned and put away after use. The garbage is pack in, pack out. Recreational opportunities accessible from the cabin are almost unlimited. In summer months a vast hiking trail system that accesses the highest elevations of the Snowy Range including Medicine Bow Peak is nearby. Beginning in late spring, fishing is available at many alpine lakes and streams including the very popular Mirror Lake Day use site. Winter brings deep snow for the snowmachiner or cross country skier.
The one-room cabin is furnished with two sets of bunk beds and can accommodate up to four people. The cabin is equipped with a propane cook stove, heater, solar lights, table and chairs, cookware, and basic cooking and eating utensils. An outhouse with vault toilet is located nearby. No running water is available at the cabin. Guests must bring their own supply of water for drinking, cooking and cleaning. Snow for melting is usually available in winter. Guests need to provide their own food, sleeping bags, lanterns or flashlights, pillows, towels, dish soap, matches, first aid kit, toilet paper and garbage bags. All trash and food must be packed out, and guests are expected to clean the cabin before leaving. No pets are allowed within the building. Pets must be on leash or lead outside to protect wildlife. Pet must be cleaned up after by owner.
Notifications and Alerts
Please be aware that once the Snowy Range Scenic Byway (Highway 130) is closed for the season, access to the cabin will be only possible via snowmobile, skies or snowshoes.
The cabin is approximately 1 mile away from Chain's End parking area.
Brining snowshoes is highly recommended from October 1st until July 1st
Thank you for arriving prepared and enjoy your visit!
Need to Know
-Water is not available at this facility
-Cell phone service in unreliable in the area
-Please call the Brush Creek/Hayden Ranger District office at (307) 326-5258 prior to your stay to confirm combination and key access for the cabin (office is not open evenings, weekends or federal holidays)
-Please contact the Ranger District prior to arriving at the cabin to check on any restrictions or conditions, such as fire or road closures, weather or storms that may affect the quality of your visit
-The cabin is a no-smoking facility
-Pets are welcome at the facility, but must be kept under control; please clean up after pets.
-Please clean cabin upon departure
-Make sure cabin is locked upon departure
-Don't Move Firewood: Prevent the spread of tree-killing organisms by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org.
Check the elements
-What is in the skies? Check the weather report before you leave home. When you arrive at the site, keep on eye on the skies for changes and, if possible, carry a compact weather radio. In inclement weather, take shelter until the bad weather passes. Stay dry - wet clothes contribute to heat loss. Also, keep sleeping bags and important gear dry at all times.
-Are there forest or grassland alerts? Forest and grassland home pages post alerts you should know before you go. Many of our forests and grasslands also post alerts on Twitter. The latest fire information may be found on InciWeb.
Survey your surroundings
-Arrive early. Plan your trip so that you arrive at your actual campsite with enough daylight to check over the entire site and safely set up camp.
-Check for potential hazards. Be sure to check the site thoroughly for glass, sharp objects, branches, large ant beds, poison ivy, bees, and hazardous terrain.
-Avoid areas of natural hazards. Check the contour of the land and look for potential trouble spots due to rain or snow. Areas that could flood or become extremely muddy can pose a problem.
-Inspect the site. Look for a level site with enough room to spread out all your gear. A site that has trees or shrubs on the side of prevailing winds will help block strong, unexpected gusts.
-Pitch your tent in a safe spot. Make sure your tent is made of flame-retardant fabric, and keep it a safe distance away from campfires. Keep insects out of your tent by closing the entrance quickly when entering or leaving.
-Build fires in a safe area. Your open fires and fuel-burning appliances must be far enough away from the tent to prevent ignition from sparks, flames, and heat. Never use a flame or any other heating device inside a tent. Check to know whether there are fire restrictions in place before starting a campfire. You could be fined if you start a fire in a restricted area.
Be fire safe
-Keep fires small and bring firewood purchased in the local area. Firewood brought from another area could also bring invasive pests.
-If you have to collect firewood at your campsite, collect dead and down wood only.
-Check at the local ranger station for current fire restrictions, which can change on a daily, sometimes hourly, basis.
-Use existing fire rings. Scrape away litter and any other burnable material within a 10-foot-diameter surrounding the ring.
-Make sure all wood fits inside the fire ring. Do not feed a large log into the fire ring.
-Have a shovel, axe, and bucket of water available before lighting your campfire.
-Never leave a campfire unattended, even for a few minutes or even if there are no flames present. Many wildfires start because of abandoned fires or because someone thought a fire was out.
-Put out a campfire by slowly pouring water onto the fire and stirring with a shovel. Continue adding and stirring until all material is cool to touch.
-Do not bury your fire. The coals can smolder and re-ignite.
Be bear aware
Being outdoors means being with wildlife. Many people never encounter a bear. But if you do, here's some simple advice:
DO NOT RUN.
*Remain calm.
*Group together and pick up small children.
*Continue to face the bear and back away slowly, talking calmly to identify yourself as a human.
*If the bear continues to approach, try to scare it away by making yourself as large and imposing as possible by stretching your arms overhead and making loud noises.
*Carry and know how to use bear spray, which is available at many outdoor retailers and can be used to deter a charging bear.
Food Storage
Bears are always searching for food. Bears are curious, intelligent animals that have great memories. Their eyesight is similar to humans and their sense of smell is seven times more powerful than a blood hound’s, enabling them to smell food from miles away. Those are the very traits that can sometimes get them – and us – into trouble. Most bears are wary of humans and try to avoid them. However, bears can learn to associate people with food and be tenacious in their pursuit of something to eat. Even if humans are around.
Everyone in bear country must do our part to store food and other attractants in bear-resistant containers at all times, and dispose of trash in bear-resistant dumpsters.
Natural Features
From valleys and canyons that rise steeply to jagged ridges, the Snowy Range boasts alpine lakes, wildflower meadows and a mixed forest of spruce, lodgepole pine,
subalpine fir and aspen. At elevations of 9,000 to 12,000 feet, it lives up to its name, as snow can fall in the area during any month of the year.
Wildlife viewing is abundant near the cabin, including elk, deer and moose. Migratory birds, squirrels and an occasional black bear find habitat in the forest as well.
Nearby Attractions
The Snowy Range is transected by Wyoming Highway 130 between Laramie and Saratoga. This is the Snowy Range Scenic Byway. Many campgrounds, picnic areas and hiking trails are located along its course. The small Snowy Range Ski Resort is accessible from this scenic byway as well; however, portions of Highway 130 are not completely accessible during the winter.
Recreation
In the summer months, a vast hiking trail system accessing the highest elevations of the Snowy Range extends from the cabin's back door. Hikers looking for a challenge can make the trek up Medicine Bow Peak at an elevation of 12,013 feet, or hike nearby Browns Peak or Sugarloaf Mountain.
Fishing is available at many alpine lakes and streams, including the popular Mirror Lake day use site.
Winter brings deep powder snow for the snowmobiler and cross-country skier.
Lake and Pond Fishing
Areas for Lake and Pond Fishing at Snowy Range Area
- Bow River Campground
- Brooklyn Lake Campground
- Deep Creek Campground
- Deep Lake Trail
- Dipper Lake Trail
- Lake Owen Boat Ramp
- Lake Owen Campground
- Lakes Trailhead
- Lewis Lake Picnic Site
- Libby Lake Picnic Site
- Little Brooklyn Guard Station
- Miller Lake Dispersed Campground
- Mirror Lake Picnic & Fishing Site
- Quealy Lake Trailhead
- Rob Roy Boat Ramp
- Rob Roy Campground
- Sheep Lake Trailhead
- Silver Lake Campground
- Silver Lake Trailhead
- Snow Survey Cabin
- Sugarloaf Campground
- West Lake Marie
River and Stream Fishing
Areas for River and Stream Fishing at Snowy Range Area
- Bow River Campground
- Deep Creek Campground
- French Creek Campground
- French Creek Canyon Trail
- Libby Creek Aspen Campground
- Libby Creek Fir Picnic Site
- Libby Creek Pine Campground
- Libby Creek Spruce Campground
- Libby Creek Willow Campground
- Lincoln Park Campground
- Nash Fork Campground
- North Fork Campground
- Platte River Wilderness
- Rock Creek Trailhead
- Routt Access Parking Lot
- Routt Access Trailhead
- Ryan Park Campground
- Savage Run Wilderness
- Six Mile Campground
- Six Mile Trailhead
- Tie Hack Lower Trailhead
- Tie Hack Upper Trailhead
Mountain Biking
Areas for Mountain Biking at Snowy Range Area
- Bow River Campground
- Deep Creek Campground
- French Creek Campground
- French Creek Canyon Trail
- Keystone Cabins
- Lake Owen Trailhead
- Little Brooklyn Guard Station
- Little Laramie Trailhead
- North Fork Campground
- Pinkham Mountain Trailhead
- Rock Creek Trailhead
- Sheep Lake Trailhead
- Snow Survey Cabin
- Spruce Mountain Fire Lookout
- Tie Hack Lower Trailhead
- Tie Hack Upper Trailhead
- Tipple Trail Trailhead
Mountain Climbing
Areas for Mountain Climbing at Snowy Range Area
- Lewis Lake Picnic Site
- Libby Lake Picnic Site
Day Hiking
Areas for Day Hiking at Snowy Range Area
- Brooklyn Lake Campground
- Brush Creek Trails
- Chimney Park Trailhead
- Corner Mountain Trailhead
- Crater Lake Trailhead
- Deep Creek Campground
- Deep Lake Trail
- Dipper Lake Trail
- French Creek Campground
- French Creek Canyon Trail
- Green Rock Parking Lot
- Green Rock Picnic Site
- Keystone Cabins
- Lake Owen Trailhead
- Lakes Trailhead
- Lewis Lake Picnic Site
- Libby Lake Picnic Site
- Little Brooklyn Guard Station
- Little Laramie Trailhead
- Meadow Falls Trailhead
- Miner's Cabin Trailhead
- North Fork Campground
- Platte River Wilderness
- Quealy Lake Trailhead
- Rock Creek Trailhead
- Routt Access Trailhead
- Ryan Park Campground
- Savage Run Wilderness
- Sheep Lake Trailhead
- Silver Lake Campground
- Silver Lake Trailhead
- Six Mile Trailhead
- Snow Survey Cabin
- South Brush Creek Campground
- Spruce Mountain Fire Lookout
- Sugarloaf Campground
- Tie Hack Lower Trailhead
- Tie Hack Upper Trailhead
- Tipple Trail Trailhead
- West Lake Marie
Backpacking
Areas for Backpacking at Snowy Range Area
- Crater Lake Trailhead
- Deep Lake Trail
- Dipper Lake Trail
- Lakes Trailhead
- Lewis Lake Picnic Site
- Libby Lake Picnic Site
- Platte River Wilderness
- Quealy Lake Trailhead
- Rock Creek Trailhead
- Savage Run Wilderness
- Sheep Lake Trailhead
- Six Mile Trailhead
Viewing Wildlife
Areas for Viewing Wildlife at Snowy Range Area
- Brooklyn Lake Campground
- Keystone Cabins
- Libby Flats Observation Site
- Little Brooklyn Guard Station
- Snow Survey Cabin
- Spruce Mountain Fire Lookout
- Tipple Trail Trailhead
Contact Information
Default
BOX 249 SARATOGA WY 82331
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 307-326-5258
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
From Saratoga, travel south on Highway 130 for 8 miles to the Highway130/230 junction. Turn left (east) on Highway 130 and drive 20 miles to Forest Service Road 257 (also known as Snowstorm Road). Turn onto Forest Service Road 257 and continue for approximately 100 yards to the cabin.
Highway 130 closes at the winter closure gate 6 miles west of Forest Service Road 257. There is a large parking area at the winter closure gate available for use called the Ryan Park Snowmobile Parking Area. Winter access requires parking at the 'chains end' closure gate and using a snowmobile, skis or snowshoes to reach the cabin.
Access to the cabin during the winter months can be either six miles from the lower 'chains end' gate at the Ryan Park Snowmobile Parking Area on the west side of the Snowy Range or 1 mile beyond the upper "chains end" gate. The Wyoming Highway Department determines which closure gate will be open or closed.
