Nestled within the wintry Whaleback Mountain, part of the Rogue River–Siskiyou National Forest, which links the Cascade Range with the Klamath Mountains, this snow-studded hideaway was a hub for cold weather research in the 1930s. This rocky peak has the distinctive name 'Whaleback' due to its lofty peak, resembling a humped whale. Constructed in 1937 by R.A. Work and his crew, the cabin served as a snow survey post. Log cabins similar to this one - about 12 by 14 feet - were common for performing snow-related experiments.
One piece of unusual engineering in this humble shack was a 'Santa Claus' snow tower. This unique tower stood around 12 feet tall and measured roughly 4 by 4 feet. The idea for the tower was born on a winter trip to South Lake, where R.A. Work and his companion built a tunnel in the snow to access the cabin beneath. The following year, they added a 'chimney' entrance to the cabin, allowing them to descend into the cabin during heavy snowfall.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Friendly Jane
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