WINTER SNOW ADVENTURE HIKE to Rustic North Blowout Log Cabin Shelter | Ray Benson Sno-Park Oregon 4K

This was a Winter Snow Day-Hike in Central Oregon, Ray Benson Sno Park, Yaktraxing (typically Snowshoeing, but El Nino is causing very low snow level accumulation) North Loop to North Blowout Rustic Log Cabin Shelter, approximately 4 miles and minimal 200 FT Elevation Gain (more just the natural ups and downs of a forest, no real steep ascents). This can be done as an Out and Back or you can just take North Loop all the way around if you prefer a Loop. One of the special parts of this hike is that you start in Willamette National Forest but cross over into Deschutes National Forest shortly before you reach North Blowout Rustic Log Cabin Shelter, so you get two distinct ecological forest footprints in one hike! There are also several sections that have great moneyshots of Three Fingered Jack and a few of Mount Washington. ***A note of caution - beware that it is necessary to cross frozen over Hoodoo Creek several times in this hike as the Creek meanders back and forth by the trail for miles - it is very simple and feels safe if you use very basic caution it shouldn't be an issue - I would classify it as more of a hypothermia danger than a drowning danger because it is perhaps ankle high depth, so the cold wetness is the concern more than the depth of the water - step over it and steer clear of it, utilize situational awareness and it shouldn't be an issue in my humble opinion - of course do so at your own risk!***

This was hiked on 12/24/2023 (Merry Christmas Eve!), it was 23F with some intermittent snow flurries, and there were of course NO Mosquitoes.

As far as road conditions, it's highway and well paved roads until the turnoff for Ray Benson Sno-Park, the last couple tenths although on a well defined road were a little slippery and icy, and the giant parking lot was also a little slippery and icy. In my opinion, the road DOES NOT require 4-Wheel Drive, however do watch for road conditions, particularly snow/ice depending on the time of year and drive VERY CAUTIOUSLY, and do so at your own risk!