Overview
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.
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
Facilities
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.
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.
The description, directions and fees are the Forest Service’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
US Forest Service (USFS)
National Park Service (NPS)
US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
Department Of Defense (DOD)
Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
Other Federal
State
Local
Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
Alaska Native Allotment
Road
Primitive Road
Road
Primitive Road
Trail
Roads open to all Vehicles, Yearlong
Roads open to all Vehicles, Seasonal
Roads open to highway legal vehicles only, Yearlong
Roads open to highway legal vehicles only, Seasonal
Special Designation, Yearlong
Special Designation, Seasonal
Trails open to all vehicles, Yearlong
Trails open to all vehicles, Seasonal
Trails open to vehicles 50" or less in width, Yearlong
Trails open to vehicles 50" or less in width, Seasonal
Trails open to motorcycles, Yearlong
Trails open to motorcycles, Seasonal
Special Designation, Seasonal
Trails Open to Wheeled Vehicles Only < 50" in Width, Yearlong
Trails Open to Wheeled Vehicles Only < 50" or Less in Width, Seasonal
Wilderness Area
Wilderness Study Area