Unable to park at the Willamette Pass Ski area (closing) I opted to ski toward Gold Lake rather than take the connector to the ski area. Unfortunately a creek crossing of the trail up toward Maiden Peak required removal of skis, and stepping down a foot or so, perhaps getting feet wet. After a late start I decided it was not worth trying to push on, I went on to Gold Lake and was surprised how nice this "day?" shelter was.

I expected the Maiden Peak shelter to be occupied , since someone appeared to be parking on the outside of the barricade for the parking area, at which point I would have to decide if I should impose myself on them or try to make a camp just before dark etc., and unsure how many more obstacles I would run into.