Proposed Backcountry Huts Off Mt. Baker Highway

The following is a cut and paste from the TAY Facebook group. I'm not going to reproduce the whole discussion, but the promotional video seems to me kind've crass, definitely vague, and (according to some who've looked into the actual proposal) misleading. Credit: Daniel Maximillian Bolliger 

This season, I've found myself talking with my ski partners a lot about access + advocacy for the backcountry skiing community in the PNW. Out of this, one thing I have noticed is how organized the snowmobile community is around here. As an example, in response to a number of new ski hut operations and proposals in the Cascades, I have seen lots of chatter on sled forums, but almost nothing in my human-powered community. Specifically, we have the new Fortune Creek hut, as well as a collection of proposed huts up near Mt. Baker, see the links below. The Baker huts are asking for public feedback - something they are getting plenty of from the sledding community. However, I don't see information about the huts circulating in this community and it seems CRITICAL that these folks (and more importantly land managers) get feedback from skiers. If anyone reading this is associated with these hut operations/proposals, please reach out because I'd love to learn more!
docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSdnaQ2yLEk.../viewform...
vimeo.com/556140398/c664b9c3a3

Thanks for sharing, this was my post. I definitely expected more positive reaction than what I saw, but I am enjoying the discussion and I think it is important that the the community is aware of these projects.

Is there an updated link for the survey? The one you provided doesn't seem to work

Yeah the link keeps getting screwed up - try this:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdnaQ2y...zbMswJuMhzJrwWKoByaQ

Cool, I filled it out. I'll share some thoughts here (some copy-paste from what I put into the survey):

Generally, I'm in favor of huts. Huts in Canada are incredible and really open up the mountains. I've also used the Wallowa huts and thought it was fun. I don't think they ruin the Wilderness experience for me. Besides, the Cascades at large are vast and offer many other places to get into the wilderness, whereas the 542 corridor is small with the easy-access spots overcrowded. We definitely need to be looking at ways to make more areas accessible to spread people out. I am really excited in particular about Anderson/Watson and Twin Sisters areas. These are hard to get to without a snowmobile, so having huts and shuttle system will be cool. Heliotrope is also hard to get to in Winter without a sled, so I like the idea of having one there, although I mostly go to that area in Fall and Spring.

The part about the proposal (as I could see on the video) that seems odd to me is the Artist's Point hut: This area is easy to access and also overcrowded. I don't see why this hut is helpful, since private parties or guided groups can tent camp in the area without too much effort. Also, I am concerned that Twins access will not be improved for public backcountry users under this proposal and could even become worse. See more comments below.

I am concerned about the cost of these huts. I would like to be able to use them without paying for a guide. These should be accessible to the public backcountry community at large, not just users who are willing to pay >$100 per day for a guided experience. The snowmobile access is a nice feature for Anderson/Watson, Heliotrope, and N Twin zones for those of us who don't want to own sleds, but I think it should be optional for hut users like it is in the Wallowas.

Regarding the N Twin hut: Access to the area is complicated by the fact that a logging company controls who can access the road. This past year Baker Mtn Guides had a special deal with Weyerhauser that allowed them exclusive snowmobile access. I don't mind the guide company offering snowmobile access up this road and running a hut. However, access to this area differs greatly from the other hut zones which are open to everybody. The Twin Sisters range, on the other hand, is only accessible to people who either pay exorbitant fees to the timber company for a key to the gate or users that ignore the rules and pass through that land illegally.

Weyerhauser's sale of this land is an opportunity to open a dialog with the new owner and try and open up access to more backcountry users. The Twin Sisters range is an incredible area for skiing right next to Bellingham. If there was a public trailhead in the area, it could take pressure off the main ski areas of the 542 corridor. However, these public access needs may be in conflict with the interests of the guide company that wants to offer an exclusive, untracked experience in the area. I say we should be looking at ways to make a deal with the timber company to open the gate at the MF Nooksack and have designated parking for winter backcountry users who just want to pass through these private lands and access the amazing skiing in the wilderness beyond. The guides can coexist peacefully with public backcountry users.

Twin Sisters is exactly where something like  www.cascadebackcountryalliance.org/  would come in handy, but I am not sure they are very active.

They are not active, I tried reaching out at the start of this season but heard nothing.

content.govdelivery.com/attachments/USDA..._Letter_DRSigned.pdf

See above for a new version of the proposal. There will be a public meeting in Sedro-Wooley in 2 weeks.