Course Description: Snowshoeing Central Oregon

This snowshoe course is to explore various snowshoe trails and explore the winter wonderland of Central Oregon. Snowshoeing is a great aerobic exercise and way to meet other snowshoers. Participants should be in relatively good shape and be able to walk up to 6 miles (a good reference is walking up Pilot Butte to the summit without stopping or being winded at the top). Snow levels vary and may dictate each week's outing.

January 13, 2026 Proposed trail: Nordeen ShelterSno-park meetup: Swampy Lakes, Cascade Lakes Highway Distance: 4.5 milesThe Nordeen Shelter is accessible by a relatively level trail and sits on a promontory with views of Newberry Volcano. The return trail is a slight climb back to the parking area.
January 20, 2026 Proposed trail: AC/DC ShelterSno-Park meetup: Edison Sno-ParkDistance: 5.0 miles RTThe Edison sno-park closed for the winter of 2024-2025 due to several wildfires that made up the Mt. Bachelor Complex Fire. The Edison Shelter burned up in that fire but the AC/DC Shelter survived. This more-difficult snowshoe trail climbs over 500 feet up to the shelter, then loops back to the parking lot.
January 27, 2026 Proposed trail: Ponderosa Rim Trail up to Paulina LakeSno-Park meetup: 10-Mile Sno-Park, Newberry Volcanic National MonumentDistance: 6.2 miles RTSpectacular views of Paulina Creek Falls and Paulina Lake from this snowshoe trail. Trail is a gentle climb from the sno-park to the lake.
February 3, 2026 Proposed trail: Todd LakeSno-Park Meetup: Mt Bachelor Nordic CenterDistance: 5.4 miles

Course Details: (seats remaining)

Schedule:

Every week on Tuesday, starting on 01/13/26 and ending on 02/03/26

Times:

08:30am-01:00pm PST

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Price:

Class Price : $149.00

Additional Course Information

Schedule of Destinations:
January 13: Nordeen Shelter
January 20: AC/DC Shelter
January 26: Ponderosa Rim Trail up to Paulina Lake
February 3: Todd Lake
Snowshoe trails will vary in length from 4-7 miles, moderate physical fitness is required. Pre-class emails will include additional information about snowshoeing destinations, parking permits, equipment preparation and safety. Participants will provide their own snowshoes and gear; a small pack with water, food, extra clothing, a raincoat and provide their own transportation.

Instructors

Name

Additional Resources

Damian Fagan

Biography: A former National Park Service seasonal ranger, Damian Fagan worked at Natural Bridges NM, and Arches and Canyonlands National Parks after completing his B.S. in Botany from the University of Washington. After 10 years with the Park Service, Fagan started BUTEO Wildlife Consultants and worked on numerous bird projects in the Southwest mostly focused on threatened or endangered species. Before moving to Bend in 2004, he worked for The Nature Conservancy as a preserve manager in Moab, Utah. Fagan enjoys sharing his knowledge about nature and the outdoors. He has published numerous freelance articles in magazines and newspapers, and has published several hiking and wildflower field guides.

Damian has taught a series of hiking, birding, snowshoe and skiing classes for COCC since 2010. He now leads occasional outdoor recreation trips for COCC Community Learning as his schedule as Communications Manager at the High Desert Museum allows.

Damian is the author of the following books:
Moab Classic Hikes
Arches and Canyonlands National Parks Pocket Guide
Canyon County Wildflowers
Pacific Northwest Wildflowers
A Naturalist's Guide to the White Rim Trail

Cancellation Policy

Students must cancel by contacting our office via phone: (541) 383-7270 or email: ceinfo@cocc.edu. Cancellations received 5 days prior to the start of the class will receive a full refund. Full refunds are also issued for classes cancelled by COCC. Refunds will be issued back to your card or in the form of a check and mailed within two weeks of the cancellation date if paid by check or cash. Failure to participate in a course or program does not result in a refund. Exceptions to the general refund policy are noted in the course descriptions on our website and in the printed schedule. If you have any questions, please call us at (541) 383-7270.