PNW Ski Huts

For anyone interested, this link has a map of the wilderness areas in western WA...

www.wilderness.net/index.cfm?fuse=NWPS&s...&state=wa&map=wawest

There is a new 3 hut system by Mt. Hood that caters to back-country skiers. Cascade Huts - www.cascadehuts.com .

Full disclosure - me and my friend started this business. Don't mean to be self-promotional, but it's right along the lines of what many of you are talking about in this post.

Also - to keep the thread lively, what are people's ideas of good hut locations? Ideally, hut access routes have limited avalanche exposure, are remote enough to discourage casual visitors and potential vandals, yet are a decent day's ski/hike in from a trail head.  Summer road access does seem like it would be a nice way to keep building and maintenance costs reasonable. I assume more research would need to go into hut locations but lets throw out some ideas...

Greetings - I just stumbled upon this conversation -

Commisioning a new backcountry ski hut in Washington is something that I have given much thought so already, to the point of even having some seed money to get things moving... I have even considered just starting something in BC, but if there is enough momentum to do it locally, lets go for it!

There have been many good comments and ideas already, but it appears that nothing much is moving forward yet.

First, a bit of my own experience -- For nearly 12 years now, over various 3-day weekends, I have taken groups from the Seattle area up to one of the ski huts in the greater Garibaldi Park region of BC. These have always been rewarding trips - a chance to tour above the alpine for extended periods of time, a chance to bring a group of different skill levels to one spot, a chance to meet and share stories with other backcountry enthusiats. Generally each hut trip may or may not have the best weather or ski conditions, but the experiences overall have been great. It is an amazing thing to have basically a wilderness experience in your surroundings, yet to have a reliable warm and dry place to spend the long winter nights in.

I have also spent a good number of winter overnights high in the North Cascades without the aid of huts. These experiences have ranged the full spectrum. Sometimes, like this previous MLK weekend, with warm temps, and calm winds, these high camps can be simply incredible! Yet other times, when conditions are less than optimal, the whole of the experience just turns into one of survival. Generally, it is also harder to plan an overnight trip with a group of mixed experience levels, since there are a lot more variables to consider. Huts are also a great stepping stone to get friends interested in a more remote experience, or for first-time winter overnighters, especially for families. It was said previously that this country has a great wilderness ethic, and we have some pretty busy ski resorts, but there is remarkably little middle ground!

So, in summary, I am ready to begin the process of selecting a hut location and crafting a proposal. First of all, here are my biases:

- I like the way BC huts are organized: A non-profit club manages them (VOC or ACC), Sometimes they are even commisioned by a memorial fund (Keiths Hut, Wendy Thompson). Costs are low to use them (less than $20 pp a night). Those that don't allow reservations can sometimes be overcrowded, so allowing advance booking for at least a portion of spots is nice.

- Structure design. In most cases, these structures are designed and built ahead of time, then disassembled, the materials often helicoptered to their location. Volunteer crew generally hike a summertime trail for construction and maintennence. The 2 storey curved A-frame design like Wendy Thompson is probably the simplest and most effective design I have seen.
picasaweb.google.com/kevinsteffa/07_02_M...#5036858318407228290

- For a location, I am pretty much going to focus roughly on '3 hours from Pugetopolis'. Any further away, and we might as well just continue using BC or Oregon for hut trips. I admit I am biased toward the north half of the cascades, particularly because this area is more scenic, but also because there simply is much less regular activity up there in the winter compared to other areas.

The criteria of no new structures in wilderness is the most tricky part to resolve. However, to allow a few more options, we should be able to consider retrofits of 'existing' or 'legacy' structures in the wilderness. For example, Suprise Lake and Necklace Valley both have 'shelters' which are deep in the wilderness. Also, Eagle Lake in the new Wild Sky wilderness has a small cabin which is public access now. Flapjack Lakes in Olympic National park also had a backcountry ski-shelter at one time. Another thing to consider, is that not all national parks are wilderness -- for example, Hwy 20, Ruby Mtn, and Ross Lake in the North Cascades are considered a 'Recreation Area', which allow and have had recent development.

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I will also propose some sort of rough 'scoring' metric, so we can rate different options. 3 general categories, from 1 to 5.
- Accessibility:
-> hut can be reached in half-day of travel in good conditions (roughly 1000' climb per hour, or 3 miles per hour on flattish approaches), which still allows a full day travel for either deep trailbreaking or a less-than-superfit party.
-> avalanche-safe route can be had in times of all avalanche danger.
-> hut is in a sheltered location that does not recieve the full force of the weather. i.e. travel to and from the hut should not be contingent on good weather to see the route.
-> road to trailhead is plowed regularly during the wintertime, and does not require a 4x4 high clearance, or additional snowmobile or snowcat use to get to.


- Quality of Terrain:
-> hut provides access to a higher quality of terrain that could not otherwise be as easily accessed by day tours from the road in the same area.
-> hut is in a location that gets a consistent snowpack. Usually this means that it is at least 4000' or higher.
-> a variety of routes may be taken from the hut, either to different summits, or different ski aspects, or different touring viewpoints.
-> options for gladed skiing in high avi conditions should be present, as well as long open runs for low avi conditions.
-> a location with an inspiring view. This should not be the best view on the mountain, but access to great viewpoints nearby should factor very well.


- Serves user base:
-> hut trailhead is within 3 hours drive of a major metropolitan area.
-> hut is primarily intended for non-motorized user - no heavy snowmobile use.
-> hut does not place excess pressure on an existing use for the area. For example, if camping is popular in the area, then the hut should not occupy the best camp spot.
-> route to hut may be used by anyone with 'reasonable' fitness and ski ability.
-> ski routes around the hut provide a variety of options for the intermediate to advanced skier.
-> the hut design should be easy to use for multiple parties of skiers. i.e. entry room to store boots so the inside stays dry, cooking ledge for stove and food, large table, lounge area with good light from a window, sleeping quarters separated upstairs or in a loft. Optional: propane heater or wood stove.


So, here is my 'short list' of places people have not suggested:

*** Ruby Mountain (NCNP-Recreation Area) ***

This choice is jumps out the most at me. With 20 plowed to Ross Dam TH, elev 2200', the entire north side of this mountain is readily accessible, to the scale of Whistler without a ski resort. Historically, a tram was once proposed up here with the creation of the park, and subsequently, the entire mountain is left outside of the 'wilderness' portion of the park - it is completely contained in the 'recreation area'. Other recent non-wilderness uses are in this boundary, including a radio tower at the summit, the North Cascades Institute, and the entire hydro complex.

A hut may be excellently sited on the north shoulder of the mountain, from 5600' to 6000'. Multitple routes to the summit, from the less exposed west ridge to more open variations on the north slope. Great corn skiing potential on south slope. Glade skiing potential below hut. Perhaps the best feature of this location is the views - some of the more 'iconic' in the north cascades, from the Thunder drainage to Ross Lake / Hozomeen, to the Pickets. Another plus, is that this location is in a 'weather shadow' from the bulk of the range to the west. It also tends to recieve more cold air here as well, due to the direct connection with the Frasier drainage via Ross Lake. There is even a small grove of larch in the north facing basin!

Pictures:
picasaweb.google.com/kevinsteffa/09_01_Ruby#

Map:
maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=48.702687,-1...63,0.070381&t=p&z=14

Score (Access:5 Terrain:5 User:5)

Notes: This is the only location I can think of with the highest score in for all categories. Close cooperation with the park service required - we may just consider 'commissioning' the hut and gifting it outright to the park for ownership.

*** Sibley Point, Hidden Lakes Area (MBSF) ***

This is just off to the side of the usual hidden lakes peak area. It is the knob (pt 6148) and small saddle to the left while heading up, before the boundary of the park is reached. Scenery and touring possibilites are a little nicer here than from the Lookout itelf. Note that approaches up the ridgeline rather than the basin are necessary for high avi conditions.

Pictures:
picasaweb.google.com/kevinsteffa/08_12_SibleyPoint#

Map:
maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=48.51922,-12...96,0.035191&t=p&z=15

Score (Access:4 Terrain:5 User:5)

Notes: Access is more limited when lowland snowfall is out - it would take a start at 2000' to be reasonable for most winter days. Also, there are already 2 other lookouts in this area which provide shelter, though note that lookouts, while being nice destinations, are harder to get to, and do not provide as many options for touring beyond them!

*** Grouse Ridge, Baker Area (MBSF) ***

This area offers some fine touring in the baker area, just off to the side of the usual haunts up the Heliotrope trail. The wilderness boundary skirts this ridge, so a hut could concievably be placed just outside of it near point 5337. An old road gets pretty close to the area, as well as an abandoned trail, so summer access would be easy for maintennance. If the Glacier Creek road is open to 2000', then wintertime access would be reasonable, though the road is a heavy snomo use area.

Map:
maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=48.792927,-1...75,0.035191&t=p&z=15

Score (Access:4 Terrain:5 User:4)


*** Wedge Mountain, Leavenworth Area (Longview Fibre and WNF) ***

This can be approached easiest off Mountain Home Road from HWY 97, elev 1400'. A small knob at elev 4600', located just east of the lower point labelled 'wedge mountain' on the usgs maps, would be an excellent site for a hut. This area has roads, and would not require a helicopter. North facing slopes are nice here, also touring possibilities along the ridge of the Enchantments. Good weather, and potential for being above the typical eastside inversion fog layer is a bonus.

Map:
maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=47.515607,-1...41,0.035191&t=p&z=15

Score (Access:5 Terrain:4 User:4)

Notes: Probably the most interesting possibility here is to be able to own the land outright, as Longview Fibre is interested in auctioning the land off in this area. Also, possible snowmobile use in this area, as well as more limited snowpack than other locations closer to the crest.

*** Other locations considered ***

Sandy Butte: (methow area), site of original proposed early winters ski resort. The terrain isn't amazing, but certainly better than the existing Rendezvous huts for backcountry skiing. This would be relatively simple to set up using existing road network. Snomachines dont tend to go here as much as other places in the area. (Access: 5 Terrain:3 User:4)

Washington Pass: Next to the overlook. A great location for mid-winter touring. Relatively safe touring once you are there, with plenty of options. However, this arrangement requires a snowcat or snowmobile crossing through avalanche terrain to get there. (Access:3 Terrain:5 User:4)

Surpise Lake: (stevens pass, alpine lakes wilderness). There is a historic shelter near here - perhaps in need of an upgrade? (Access:4 Terrain:4 User:5)

Eagle Lake: (wild sky). There is an existing shelter here, that is useable, though not as nice as the BC huts, or what we could be building. User score reflects current hut condition rather than potential upgrade. (Access:3 Terrain:4 User:3)

Smithbrook Area: (stevens pass). Either update legacy shelter at lake (in wilderness), or place just outside boundary. Good snow conditions here, though the terrain is mostly average. (Access:5 Terrain:3 User:5).

Rat Trap Pass: (darrington area). Good access to Whitechuck mountain. Roads are currentlty washed out, though expected to be open to here again at some point. No reliable plow access, though rumor some folks in Darrington would like to start a snow-cat touring business (Access:4 Terrain:4 User:4)

Grade Creek / Illabot Divide (darrington area) Potential Access to Chaval. Amazing terrain and views around here, though complicated access with all the clearcuts and logroads. If a proper route and hut siting can be chosen, this has possibilities. (Access:3 Terrain:4 User:4)
picasaweb.google.com/kevinsteffa/03_01_Chaval#

Deer Creek Pass area (Granite Falls Area). Easy access and excellent views of the Boulder River Wilderness. Less consistent snowpack and low elevation are drawbacks. (Access 5: Terrain: 3: User: 5)

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So, thats a fair bit to divulge and process at once... if anyone wants to carry on the discussion further in person, let me know. I am happy to host a planning night, or at least meet at a neighborhood pub...

- Kevin

Wow, Kevin, nice work!  Those are some pretty sweet areas!  You've obviously done a bit of homework on this topic!  I like your Sibley Point idea best of the ones you listed.  I would be willing to volunteer in summer to help with a project like that for sure.

This is just a thought, and I don't know boundary areas nor have I done a lot of research, but what about the various benches (specifically near the small pass at 5200', just NE of Stujack Pass, to avoid steep slopes on either side) to the NE of Mt. Pugh near Darrington?  There is easy road access during the summer.  ( Mt. Pugh )  Also is the flat areas just E of Bedal Pk (4600'), ( Bedal Peak ) and it's close to a lake.  Although, accessability would definitely not be for those who don't like skinning/hiking...

I agree, great research.

Another possibility is Deer Park- Obstruction Point-Waterhole-Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park. A classic winter traverse, with stunning terrain potential and variety. The approaches and standard ridge top traverse are relatively avalanche free, although one could get in trouble in a hurry.

At Deer Park there already exists a good sized Ranger cabin as well as various shelters that could be used in the winter. This of course was the original Peninsula ski area. In the past the road has been open to within 3 miles of the top, but recent policy has been closure at the Park boundary, about 7 or 8 miles from the cabin, and of course below the usual snow line.

Obstruction Point has a privy only now, but could possibly support a winter only backcountry ranger station type shelter or yurt. The end of the road is pretty exposed to southerly storms, there could be a better location nearby.

Waterhole also has historic precedent as a winter shelter and is in a relatively sheltered area.

All locations are outside of designated wilderness and supported by road in the summer. Each hut would be approximately 5 miles from each other, and winter vehicle access.

The biggest problem is convincing the Park, although I don't know on what basis they would object. They do have several unused shelters sitting down at the elwha that were supposed to replace historic shelters in designated wilderness areas. They lost that lawsuit, so maybe this is a good place to use them.

This is just a thought, and I don't know boundary areas nor have I done a lot of research, but what about the various benches (specifically near the small pass at 5200', just NE of Stujack Pass, to avoid steep slopes on either side) to the NE of Mt. Pugh near Darrington?  There is easy road access during the summer.  ( Mt. Pugh )  Also is the flat areas just E of Bedal Pk (4600'), ( Bedal Peak ) and it's close to a lake.  Although, accessability would definitely not be for those who don't like skinning/hiking...

Great suggestions for a combination of interesting terrain and access! However both locations are within the more recent glacier peak wilderness additions (they were excluded from the original). There is one possibility however, the early settler Bedal had a cabin near timblerline up in Bedal Creek Basin. This, if it could be found and an upgrade allowed, would provide great access to Sloan (could still pop over to the north slope from here) and the Goat Lake divide.
maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&t=p&ll=48.04667...017759,0.035191&z=15
It is more difficult to approach Bedal Peak itself from the basin, but the Nels Lake route is available from the same access road.

I have only done sporadic trips and research in the direction of the Olympics, but there are definitely some great possibilities in there, especially with all the legacy shelters up there.