Skiing & Hiking Guide to Backcountry Huts Near Lake Tahoe
Once winter comes around and snow begins to fall in the Sierra Mountains, the desire to camp is left only for those who are overambitious. Making an igloo or pitching a tent works for those who are extremely skillful and have the right gear, but there’s another way to enjoy the season: backcountry huts.
Around the world, there are different organizations (mostly non-profit or government sponsored) that maintain these secret havens.
As for the Lake Tahoe area in Northern California, the Sierra Club and Clair Tappaan Lodge operate four huts for recreational use year-round. Each hut is listed below with more detailed information about the location, access and helpful considerations.
WHAT TO PACK
Remember that these are all rustic accommodations, meaning that you should bring just about everything you would need to go backpacking, except your tent. There’s room for about 12-15 people, booked by reservation only, but you’ll most likely be sleeping on a wood loft, so your sleeping bag and pad are still a necessity.
A wood burning stove, wood, splitting tools and outhouse are also common at all locations. There should be enough wood to last until Spring but they don’t restock until the volunteer work parties in the summer/fall. A backpacking stove is needed to cook as the wood burning stoves are very inefficient. Note that there are usually large pots to cook or melt snow, but anything left at the hut is either a surprise or friendly trail magic. One time we visited the Ludlow hut and someone left a huge bottle of scotch (thank you!).
Each hut can be hiked, skied, or snowshoed to in one day or less from the nearest road, but any variance in weather or an unfit group can effect those chances. If the weather turns to the worst or snowfall is too much then some huts can be buried. Most of them are built to be accessed from a second story when the snow is deep, so it’s unlikely you’ll be blocked out, but make sure you reach out to the reservation coordinator (contact below) to confirm any doubts, or bring a shovel.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Backcountry skiing can be dangerous, so before you start your trip, be sure to familiarize yourself with the route and weather conditions. Sierra Avalanche Center continuously updates weather conditions, and usually calling the local ski shop and talking with the crew can give you an idea of anyone has been in the area recently. The website Know Before You Go has great information about avalanche safety; even just a few minutes on their page will help bring awareness.
BENSON HUT
Benson Hut (Sierra Club), one of the most popular huts, is about 1,800’ of elevation gain and 5.5 miles past the Pacific Crest Trailhead on Donner Pass Road, just below the north face of Anderson Peak. Overnight parking may be arranged with Clair Tappaan Lodge or Sugar Bowl Ski Resort. Sugar Bowl offers one-way backcountry access lift tickets which effectively cut out the first half of your trip by placing you on top of Mt. Lincoln. Contact Sugar Bowl for more information.
The route is long and treacherous, so this trip is only for those experienced in the backcountry. There’s serious avalanche danger, especially in bad weather, and the wind can strip snow from the ridge. But the snow and the views can make it all worth the trip! You can ski 1,500-vertical-foot, north-facing glades from the front door.
Check out these illustrations of the Sierra Crest Ski Trail if you’re looking for an adventure to connect Sugar Bowl to Squaw Valley via the Benson Hut.
BRADLEY HUT
Bradley Hut (Sierra Club) is about 1,600’ of elevation gain and 4.7 miles from the Pole Creek trailhead. Overnight parking is available on a wide shoulder where BR 08 meets Hwy 89 about six miles south of I-80. Drivers should make certain their vehicles are behind snow stakes.
When up there, skiers can get some turns in the bowls north near Deep Creek and west of the hut, but again, be careful of avalanches, especially on Silver Peak. Some people like to link Bradley and Benson huts, which are about four miles apart. If you’re thinking about the Sierra Crest Trail, you could add Bradley in the mix to make two stops between Sugar Bowl and Squaw.
Note: Bradley Hut closes in May each year to minimize wildlife disturbance in the area and usuaully reopens in October.
LUDLOW HUT
Ludlow Hut (Sierra Club) is about 1,100’ of elevation gain and 5.2 miles past the Rubicon-McKinney trailhead. So if you want to drive your snowmobile or your supped up Jeep, go for it! You’ll follow the Mckinney Creek and pass three lakes along the trail. Make sure to keep a keen eye out to find the hut just back off Richardson Lake.
Overnight parking is difficult in the neighborhood at the trailhead since they tow, so make sure you’re within the trail bounds, even just pulling off the trail a few hundred feet up the way. There’s also parking at Sugar Pine Point State Park about two miles farther south (for a fee), but this adds mileage and leaves you in a deep, forested canyon for most of the trip.
You’ll find some good ski practice areas along the shore of Richardson Lake and in Miller Meadows. Take a day trip to Sourdough Hill, Lost Corner Mountain, and northern Desolation Wilderness, but as always bring a map and a buddy.
PETER GRUBB HUT
Peter Grubb Hut (Sierra Club), one of the nicest huts, is about 800’ of elevation gain and 3 miles north of Castle Peak trailhead. You can park at the California Sno-Park at the Boreal-Castle Peak exit on I-80 for a small fee. Around the Boreal Inn, walk back under the freeway to the trailhead.
The trail isn’t marked well, but there are orange triangles scattered on trees every 100-200 yards. Using the hut as a home base, you can take day trips to Paradise Valley, Basin Peak, Castle Peak, and Sand Ridge Lake. For newbies and instruction, hit nearby Round Valley. Since this is just off the Pacific Crest Trail, note that daytime privacy and security may be limited.
SIERRA CLUB RESERVATIONS
For reservations, call (530) 426-3632 or email reservations@clairtappaanlodge.com.
Check out more information, including history of the huts, on their website.
Hut reservations for the Winter months (December-April) are basically a lottery system and are processed initially through a priority system beginning November 1st. Priority is given to volunteer work party participants. Applications for the initial allocation, for both volunteers and the general public, are accepted by U.S. Mail (only).
Mail to:
Clair Tappaan Lodge
P. O. Box 36
Norden, CA, 95724
The application must include full payment and alternate dates (in case the first choice is unavailable). Requests for reservations should be accompanied by a $25/person/night deposit; please add 10% to cover county transient occupancy tax (ToT). The initial round of winter reservations is based on written requests. These will be issued after the last work party has been completed (see above), typically in early November.
For our winter months (December – April), applications must be received by Clair Tappaan Lodge prior to November 1, 2019 in order to be included within the initial allocation.
Please use this form: Backcountry Hut Application Form.
Results from the initial allocation will be communicated to applicants within the first week of November. Spaces not allocated will be available on a first-come, first-served basis by phone (once the initial round has been completed). Call (530) 426-3632.
Cancellation Policy: You can get a refund if cancelled 30 days before booked date.
US FOREST SERVICE (USFS) HUTS
The US Forest also has a few huts in the Lake Tahoe area available for rent. They are accessible by car for the summer months, but ski/snowshoe access in the winter. Click the links below for more information on each location and their availability.
If you know of any other locations in the area to spend a warm winter night, or have been to one of these huts, please leave us a comment below. We’d love to hear from you! As always, have fun, be safe.
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