I did not know, until this year, that there were huts up yonder in the Mt. Tahoma Trail system that you could stay at. Have I mentioned I’ve lived in Washington my whole life? Yeah, look at me learning things.
The timing seemed perfect, however, given our new foray into snow activities this season. After many weekends of XC skiing, I was actually itching to get my pack back on. I was dying to get out on a trail.
So once I heard about these overnight huts, AND learned that reservations were only $15/person (I know, right?), I started to do some research.
If hiking/snowshoeing/skiing to some rustic huts outside of Mt. Rainier sounds like fun to you, take advantage of my planning notes below and get started on your own trip!
In this Post
Hiking to Huts in the Mount Tahoma Trails System
For maps, reservations, and permits, go the Mount Tahoma Trails Association.
For updates on latest road and trail conditions, join the Mount Tahoma Trails group on Facebook.
GENERAL INFORMATION
There are 4 huts total, 3 in the South District Sno-Park (High Hut, Snow Bowl Hut, the Yurt) and 1 in the North District (Copper Creek Hut). All of the huts are about 4-6 miles from the furthest parking lots, so plan on those distances as often the upper parking lots are not plowed. Totally depends on the time of year.
Both Sno-Parks are about a 2-hour drive from Seattle.
See maps, directions and more photos at the Mount Tahoma Trail Association website.
Quick things to note before you decide to go:
>>Passes required! A Discover pass is required all year. An additional Sno-Park pass is required from November through March. Don’t risk a fat ticket, get your passes!
Washington State Sno-Park Pass
>>Remember, snowshoeing or hiking in snow requires a lot more energy than normal hiking. Plan your time accordingly, and always pack the 10 essentials.
>>The trails are very well signed, however it’s always a good idea to have a map on your phone. All Trails has a map of the Mt. Tahoma Trail system you can download.
>>Share the trail. In the winter the trails/roads are groomed for skiing, so snowshoers, please stay to the far right or left.
>>The trail will differ summer vs winter. Look, don’t be a whiner and gripe about how ugly the “road” is during summer. It’s an old logging road. In summer, it will look like an old logging road. But in winter, it’s a frickin’ winter wonderland.
>>Double check road conditions before you head off. Snow levels can change daily. the Mount Tahoma Trail system Facebook page is a great place to ask and get more info, especially if you have a low clearance vehicle like we do.
>>Be prepared to work! The huts require volunteer labor to keep them running. Read the info book when you arrive and chip in for chores and general maintenance. Think of it as giving back the mountain. Please leave it cleaner than when you arrived.
>>Be prepared to get friendly with others! Each hut holds a max number of guests. That means unless you book out every spot at the hut, you will be sharing the space with other permit holders. Think of it as a time to have a new experience and make new friends.
>>The huts do book out early in the season, but with some patience you may be able to score a cancellation or a spot later in the season. Keeping checking back.
>>There are technically no refunds on cancelled reservations, even if the roads are not passable, however if someone reserves your freed up spot, I am told they will issue a refund. Given it’s only $15/spot, I reckon it’s worth the gamble with the weather.
>>Pack out all your trash. There is no trash collection on site. If you pack it in, pack it out.
WHAT (NOT) TO PACK
THE HUTS
North District Hut
Copper Creek
Details:
-About 5.5 miles from the parking lot
-Rolling, gentle grade. Good for snowshoeing and intermediate skiers. Trail is groomed for XC skiing in the winter.
-14 person capacity
-Check reservations at the MTTA website.
*Note, this hut is only open in winter and closes mid-April.
*I have not been to this hut yet but will update with my own photos when I am finally able to go!
North District Sno-Park Directions
South District Huts
High Hut
Details:
-One of the more popular huts, sitting at the highest elevation of all the huts of 4,760 ft. For reference, the lower parking lot sits at 2,360 ft.
-About 4 miles hike/snowshoe/ski from the lower parking lot
-Be prepared for continuous, uphill hiking
-8 person capacity. Bunk bed and futon on lower level, floor with pads on the upper level. Separate sleeping quarters for ski patrol on upper level as well.
-Check reservations at the MTTA website.
-On a clear day, full on views of Mt. Rainier from the front windows (we did not have a clear day)
Bruni’s Snow Bowl Hut
Details:
-About 4 miles from the lower parking lot
-Newer of the cabins; built in 2007 after a fire burnt down the original
-Sits at about 4,250 ft. For reference, lower parking lot is at 2,360 ft
-14 person capacity
-Check reservations at the MTTA website
*Pics to come once I can get up there myself! See recent trail reports at the WTA site.
The Yurt
Details:
-Situated the furthest from the parking lot, this is about a 6.5 mile hike from the lower lot.
-Be prepared for continuous, uphill hiking. This will be a long hike if snow is deep.
-6 person capacity. This is a good one to book out for yourself or a group if all the spots are open. Seems like a steal for a quiet cabin in the woods.
-Less views than the other huts, but more cozy and remote.
-Check reservations at the MTTA website.
*Pics to come once I can get up there myself! See recent trail reports at the WTA site.
Directions to South District Sno-Park
