Ray Benson Sno-Park
​Brandenburg Shelter South Loop
​Hike details:
Mileage: 7.6 mile loop w/ 395 ft. elevation gain
Approximate hike time: 4 hours 13 minutes w/ an average pace of 1.8 mph
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail usage: Low on weekdays, medium to high on sunny weekends
Highest elevation: 4,845 ft. Lowest elevation: 4,655 ft.
General location: 20 miles west of Sisters - Willamette National Forest
Accessible: Year-round
(The sno-park trails are accessible for winter recreation as soon as about 2 feet of snow have accumulated, usually by mid-December. This one generally melts out some time around late March or early April).
Permits required: Sno-park pass is required from November 1 - April 30
Pit toilet at trailhead: Yes
Trail allows: Dogs on leash, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiles, camping
Approximate hike time: 4 hours 13 minutes w/ an average pace of 1.8 mph
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail usage: Low on weekdays, medium to high on sunny weekends
Highest elevation: 4,845 ft. Lowest elevation: 4,655 ft.
General location: 20 miles west of Sisters - Willamette National Forest
Accessible: Year-round
(The sno-park trails are accessible for winter recreation as soon as about 2 feet of snow have accumulated, usually by mid-December. This one generally melts out some time around late March or early April).
Permits required: Sno-park pass is required from November 1 - April 30
Pit toilet at trailhead: Yes
Trail allows: Dogs on leash, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiles, camping
(map of the entire Ray Benson Sno Park - click to enlarge)
Description:
Ray Benson Sno-Park is one of the largest sno-parks in Central Oregon. It offers dozens of trails that create many different loops and there are a total of three shelters and warming huts! The parking area is huge with a few pit toilets and this is also where the warming hut is located.
(Three Fingered Jack from the parking area)
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You don't even have to leave the parking lot to be able to get your first mountain view! Three Fingered Jack looms across the parking lot in all his winter glory. You will find the start of the South Loop on the south side of the parking lot loop, right after the entrance. You can also choose to walk on the road that is gated off. Snowmobiles are allowed on the road so be careful, but if you go early in the morning, it is generally pretty quiet.
If there isn't a lot of snow, or if there is a lot of new snow, it can be easier to walk on the road. If you are at Ray Benson on a clear day, you must go on a little detour from the actual loop to see Big Lake and Mount Washington. If you walk down the road it is a total of 2.3 miles to Big Lake Campground, where you will walk through the campground to the lakeshore. Here you have a great unobstructed view of Big Lake and a close-up view of Mount Washington. If you are into snow camping, you can camp by the lake during the winter. |
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(frozen Big Lake and Mount Washington)
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From the campground, go back up the road for 0.4 miles to a road split and take a right. Go down that road for another 0.56 miles to where you will see a very tall blue Pacific Crest Trail sign. Take a left here onto the PCT for only 0.1 mile and then stay right on the South Loop following signs to Brandenburg Shelter. After 0.3 miles stay right again on the Brandenburg Loop for another 0.75 miles to the shelter.
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(Three Fingered Jack and Brandenburg Shelter)
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The Brandenburg shelter is a mostly enclosed shelter and sits in a clearing with views of Three Fingered Jack to the north and Mount Washington to the south. It is bright and spacious inside with plenty of firewood, benches for sitting and a wood stove in the middle. The shelter is a great place to warm up, enjoy the views, and have lunch. Keep in mind, if you want to start a fire, bring your own paper and fire starter. Do not use the map that is hanging in the shelter to start your fire!
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(Brandenburg Shelter and Mount Washington)
After enjoying Brandenburg Shelter, continue on the Brandenburg Loop trail for another 0.25 miles to where it meets the South Loop again. Take the South Loop to the right (north) and continue through a large open area with views of Hayrick Butte for another 0.67 miles to another junction.
(Hayrick Butte)
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At the junction with the Circle Lake Trail, continue left on the South Loop trail, following signs for Ray Benson Sno-Park. From here you will continue 2 more miles back to the car. Don't miss another awesome glimpse of Mount Washington across a big open meadow which makes for an awesome last photo opportunity before heading back the last bit through the woods.
Although the South Loop isn't a snowmobile trail, the last bit of this loop takes you fairly close to the road and in the afternoon you do hear quite a bit of snowmobile noise, which can take away from some of the nature experience. This loop is a great moderate nordic trail with very minimal elevation gain and epic mountain views! Because it is one of the largest sno-parks, it does tend to get busy on nice weekend days. Keep in mind that this loop will take you longer if you have to break trail after new snow falls. Breaking trail can be extremely exhausting and it is best to choose something a bit shorter if you are coming to Ray Benson after new snowfall. |
Directions:
From Bend
- Drive on US-97 north then take exit 135A to merge onto US-20 west toward Sisters for 19.9 miles. At the traffic circle in Sisters, take the 2nd exit and continue on US-20 west for another 20 miles. Then turn left at a sign for Hoodoo Ski Area/Ray Benson Sno Park, follow signs to the sno park parking area. (Total of 44.6 miles)
- Take OR-126 east toward Springfield. At a traffic light use the two left lanes to turn left, following signs to continue on OR-126 for another 72.6 miles. Shortly after Clear Lake Resort, take a slight right onto US-20 east for 8.4 miles and then turn right at a sign for Hoodoo Ski Area and Ray Benson Sno Park. Follow signs to the sno park parking area. (Total of 86.9 miles)
- Take OR-22 east toward Detroit Lake/Bend for a total of 80.2 miles, then take a slight left onto US-20 east for 5.1 miles and then turn right at a sign for Hoodoo Ski Area and Ray Benson Sno Park. Follow signs to the sno park parking area. (Total of 90.3 miles)
- Drive on I-5 south towards Salem for 45.3 miles, then use the right 2 lanes to take exit 253 for OR-22 east toward Detroit Lake/Bend. Stay on OR-22 for a total of 80.2 miles, then take a slight left onto US-20 east for 5.1 miles and then turn right at a sign for Hoodoo Ski Area and Ray Benson Sno Park. Follow signs to the sno park parking area. (Total of 133 miles)
- Take OR-62 east towards Crater Lake for 49.5 miles then take a slight left onto OR-230 north for 23.8 miles. Near Diamond Lake turn right onto OR-138 east for 17.7 miles until it T’s into highway 97. Turn left onto US-97 north for 77.3 miles then take exit 135A to merge onto US-20 west toward Sisters. Drive on US-20 for a total of 19.5 miles to the town of Sisters. In Sisters at the roundabout take the 2nd exit and continue on US-20 for another 20 miles and then turn left at a sign for Hoodoo Ski Area/Ray Benson Sno Park, follow signs to the sno park parking area. (Total of 217 miles)
-This trail write-up was last updated January 2020-
*All pictures are taken by Franziska Weinheimer
*All pictures are taken by Franziska Weinheimer
*Disclaimer: The trail descriptions, mileage, GPS tracks and difficulty ratings depicted on this website are never 100% accurate. Always hike at your own risk, using your own knowledge, equipment and common sense. Franziska Weinheimer/Hike Oregon are not responsible if you or anyone in your party gets injured or lost while attempting one of these or any other hikes.