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Snowshoe or Ski to Mt. Tahoma High Hut

Ashford, Washington

5.0/5
based on 1 reviews

Details

Distance

4.5 miles

Elevation Gain

2400 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Jacob Moon

Spend a night or two with an unobstructed view of Mount Rainier, and a fully equipped kitchen, sleeping mattresses, gas fire place, solar powered. Reservations are required, to make yours, click Ski MTTA. Depending on starting point, this can be a 3-4.5 mile trek with 1700-2400 feet of elevation gain. 

Make the 3.2 - 4.5 mile hike up groomed trails to the Mt Tahoma High Hut (4750 feet) for the perfect winter getaway. Spend the day outside sledding, skiing, snowshoeing and playing in the snow with a spectacular view of Mount Rainier, Mount Adams, and Mount St. Helens. Afterwards go inside and enjoy a relaxing evening by the fire place playing games, cooking dinner and reading a good book.

Route Description: After parking at the trailhead, the "trail" is very easy to follow and well marked. The "trail" is actually a road which is made into a groomed ski run during the winter. The trailhead has a large map of the route and markers every so often along the way that will tell you how far you've come and how far you have to go to reach your destination. There are several huts and yurts in the area, so look for the marker pointing toward the High Hut. The trailhead can change depending on snow conditions thus changing the elevation gain and distance of the trail. During low snow conditions the trail length is only about 3.2 miles one way and 1700 feet elevation gain. During high snow conditions the trail becomes 4.5 miles with 2400 feet elevation gain.

This place can sleep up to 8 people and includes: Solar Power Lights, Gas Fire Place, Gas Range and Oven, Fully Stocked Kitchen, Tables, Mattress, Bunk Beds, Large Windows, Clean Toilet, Patio and Deck, Sandals for walking around inside, Shovels, and Killer views of Mount Rainier, Mount Adams, and Mount St. Helen.

Things to know:
  • There isn't running water up there so you have to collect snow in large bucket and melt it in pots on the fire place during the winter
  • This water goes faster then you'd expect
  • To purify the water, there is a large water filter in the kitchen or you can just boil the water on the stove
  • There is a book inside the hut that explains everything you need to know about how to use the amenities of the hut and also rules and proper etiquette
  • I highly recommend bringing a lightweight sled if you are snowshoeing. The trail is perfect for sledding and makes the decent a lot more enjoyable
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Snowshoeing
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Reviews

We hiked/snowshoed up to the High Hut for Thanksgiving with friends and it is such a nice warm cabin to seek shelter from the elements. We arrived in a mild snow storm and heated up with the propane fueled hut pretty quickly. Only had visibility of the base of Rainier the next morning, but had around 2ft of snow at the hut. The views on the trek back down were beautiful as well!

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

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