Information about this hike provided in partnership with
Mountaineers Books.
Copyright © Dan A. Nelson/The Mountaineers Books High Hut Snowshoe
Featured In:
Snowshoe Routes - Washington,
by Dan A. Nelson.
A portion of all book sales from the links above benefits WTA and helps protect and maintain our trails. From the lower Sno-Park, continue up the road, sharing the first 2.5 miles with the route to Snow Bowl (Route 78). But as the road climbs out of the broad valley and attains the ridge saddle (4000 feet) at 2.5 miles, bear right instead of left. This leads you northeast on a long slant to the ridge crest. The last 0.9 mile climbs 800 feet, leaving you winded and tired when you finally push over the last of the wind-scoured ridge to stomp onto the hut's broad deck. If you have the energy after reaching the hut, you can explore the ridgeline as it drops northeast away from the hut, or head back to the west and tromp around the wind drifts and small tree stands along the ridge behind the hut. Author’s Rating: More Difficult Some previous snowshoe experience helpful. Some winter survival skills recommended (basic knowledge of avalanche evaluation, emergency shelter construction, etc.). Elevation gain is usually less than 1000 feet with a gradual slope.
Driving Directions:
To get there, drive east from Tacoma on State Route 7 to Elbe and turn left onto SR 706--the Road to Paradise--and continue east to Ashford. At the edge of town, watch for the brown South District Access Road sign, and take the next right onto 1 Road. At the T intersection (2.8 miles from Recent Trip Reports
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Who needs Maui when you have Rainer in your backyard-High Hut Overnighter 1-7-10
I tried to get to Maui for some...
Who needs Maui when you have Rainer in your backyard-High Hut Overnighter 1-7-10
I tried to get to Maui for some hiking this week and visit an old friend from elementary school but the cards were stacked against me and I didn't get on the plane. Sometimes standby is not the best choice. So instead of drowning my tears in beer, I decided to head to the mountain and then I would be able to drink that beer with no regrets for the calories. High Hut had no reservations and I was thinking a bit selfishly and hoped I would have the whole place to myself for $15. More on that later.. I got my permit from Whittaker's and I started up the trail around 9 am. My backpack was really heavy. I had to bring snow & rain gear as I wasn't sure about weather. Plus extra water, didn't know they had water there. I am learning and testing out my gear and I did go kind of cheap on my sleeping bag REI clearance Big Agnes for around $100, I also bought a compression sack and it still took up almost half my backpack and was really bulky and heavy.. good to learn this now instead of later in the season I guess. So after stopped a few times going up.. I got to the hut and settled in. I was so excited for the prospect of having this little jewel all to myself.. Just then a couple and their dog came in. Dog was outside. They were nice and we chatted for a bit. They were disappointed with the lack of snow and skiing. They had to ditch there skies on the way up. I cleaned a bit, took pictures, read, ventured down the ridge a bit. Then settled in front of the window with fireplace on reading my Dexter book.. this series is addicting. I was waiting for a great sunset but there were too many clouds. Then around 5 pm a group of 3 showed up to stay the night. They were nice enough. I read and they played games and drank whiskey, they were considerate enough. I can't complain. I have to share this place, it's so wonderful. I woke up early and tried to catch another great sunrise, but it was bleak in comparison to yesterday. So I dawned my rain gear and headed down to my car. It only sprinkled on me, thank goodness. When I hit Eatonville it was a downpour all the way home..The trail was half melted out from yesterday, lots of dirt and gravel showing through. I used yax trax, no snow shoes or skies needed at this time. We need snow! Great way to spend a day. Lovely little hut. Next time I will bring less clothes & water, lighten my load. I will also bring slippers, pillow (the one's there stink), windex wipes to clean the windows. It's a shame to have those picture windows and see dirt on both sides.. It drove me nuts. And I will book the whole place for just my friends. Day hike
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High Hut 11-25-09
Hike #97
So I wanted to check out these huts in the Mount Tahoma Trails Association for a...
High Hut 11-25-09
Hike #97 So I wanted to check out these huts in the Mount Tahoma Trails Association for a while now. I thought it might be cool to stay in one of these huts as my 100th hike this year to celebrate and move on into backpacking. I meet a cool hiker on Saturday as part of a Meetup hiking group I belong to. Gayle expressed interest in coming with me. So we checked weather and set up a plan. I knew it was going to be an awesome day when I drove down the hill into Sumner and saw the sunrise.. I had to pull over it was so SPECTACULAR! Foggy in the valley, pink sky, linear clouds galore and clear view of Rainer.. Gayle and I weren't sure if we were going to snowshoe at Rainer or check out the huts.. After pulling in the store in Ashford I decided to buy the $40 snow park pass and we headed to High Hut. It didn't look like there was alot of snow in the hills. The road to High Hut was plowed, we were able to park at the second snow parking lot, we were the only car. We put on our snow shoes and followed the groomed trail 3 miles up to High Hut. Views got better with each mile. It was a hard 3 miles up, but worth every step.. not sure when it's ever not worth the effort. We were the only one's at the hut until we were getting ready to leave and 2 volunteer showed up in the Snow Cat with some supplies. I can't wait to book a trip and stay over night here..Perfect day , could not have asked for anything better. Video Link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKLMf6uq0IU Snowshoe/XC Ski
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Snow on trail
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Starting at the lowest of the three sno-parks, we skied up the steeply climbing road to the Mount Tahoma Trails...
Starting at the lowest of the three sno-parks, we skied up the steeply climbing road to the Mount Tahoma Trails High Hut, a gain of 2300' in 4.75 miles. The recent "Marchuary" weather had covered everything with a deep layer of fresh snow. Fortunately, the MTTA groomers had been hard at work, and we enjoyed skiing on a smooth packed surface the whole way to the hut. The cold, partly cloudy weather created great powder conditions at higher elevations. Judging by the snow depth, there will be skiing here for many weeks to come.
The south system trails are much steeper than the north trails; good skiing skills and equipment--in particular, sharp edges on your skis and a strong snowplow--are needed to control your descent. The access road to the MTTA south ski trail system is a muddy mess, but ordinary cars can make it to the sno-park; four wheel drive or high clearance is not needed. Unlike the I-90 Sno-Parks, you don't need the extra-cost grooming sticker to park here, and dogs are allowed on the trails. Day hike
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Snow on trail
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We found some great snow conditions for cross country skiing on the north Mount Tahoma Trail system--four inches of cold...
We found some great snow conditions for cross country skiing on the north Mount Tahoma Trail system--four inches of cold light powder on a firm base. The snow trails here get occasional grooming, so they aren't rutted. Monday's weather was clear and cold, offering great views in every direction. Along with Mount Rainier, I could see Mt. Adams, St. Helens, and even the Olympics.
We skied beyond the Copper Creek Hut to the ridgeline beyond, a round trip distance of about 10 miles. It is worth making that short steep climb to the ridge, because the views get much better up there. The Mount Tahoma Trails are located near Ashford and the west entrance to Mount Rainier Park. Unlike the groomed trails near the I-90 snowparks, the MTTA (Mount Tahoma Trails Association) trails are open to snowshoeing and dogs as well as skiers. I had my dog Lex along, and was able to try out a little "skijoring", which involves hitching the dog to a harness and tether and having him pull you along while you ski. It's great fun and it gives the dog quite a workout. If you are tired of the crowds, expense, and limitations of the I-90 groomed trails, you should check the MTTA system out. A snowpark permit is required, but you don't need the extra-cost grooming sticker. The access road to the north trail system is now plowed to the middle parking area, greatly reducing the effort needed to get to the Copper Creek hut. This access road is steep and frequently icy...do bring chains for your car!
Mt. Tahoma Ski Trails
— Feb 05, 2004
— G and A
Day hike
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Spectacular views of Rainier, Adams, St. Helens and even the Olympics on the trip to High Hut. What a...
Spectacular views of Rainier, Adams, St. Helens and even the Olympics on the trip to High Hut. What a pleasure to get out of the elements for a more leasurly lunch after climbing 2400 feet in snowshoes. Little use during the week made for a very peaceful day in the mountains! |
Groomed perfection at High Hut. Photo by whitebark.
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