Ski to McNamara Hut
Colorado › Hunter Creek Trail Head
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Activities:
Snowboarding, Skiing, Snowshoeing, Backpacking
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Skill Level:
Intermediate
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Season:
Winter
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Trail Type:
Out-and-Back
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RT Distance:
6.2 Miles
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Elevation Gain:
2200 Feet
Only 6 miles outside of Aspen sits a rustic and secluded ski-hut with out-the-door backcountry skiing.
McNamara hut sits in the national forest on the slope of Bald Knob, with easy access to intermediate backcountry skiing and more challenging terrain further away. Built in 1982, it's one of the original huts in the 10th Mountain Division system along with Margy's Hut. The hut comes stocked with padded mattresses, wood stoves & fuel, propane burners, all cookware and utensils, some games/puzzles/books, and sitting and eating areas. The hut sleeps up to 16 people.
Accessing the hut from the most common location, Hunter Creek Lower TH, requires a 6.2-mile trek with backcountry skis, split-board, nordic skis, or snowshoes. While the trail is on fairly easy terrain, there is a decent elevation gain of 2200 ft.
Pack List
- Reservations: huts.org
- Snow transportation: Backcountry Skis w/ skins, Nordic Skis, Snowshoes, Splitboard
- Avalanche safety gear (optional if not skiing around the hut): Beacon, Probe, Shovel, Avy Air Bag (optional)
- Winter travel/topo maps: huts.org/In_The_Field/system_maps.php
- Food & Water: Huts have gas stoves and snow can be melted for water
- Snacks
- Coffee/Hot chocolate
- Backpack
- Ski wear & warm layers
- Down booties or warm footwear
- Sleeping bag: Huts are heated with a wood stove and depending where you sleep a lightweight bag might be enough
- Headlamp
- Camera
- Adult beverages for après
If you're considering this trip, I highly recommend it! While vacationing to Aspen we were able to squeeze in an overnight trip to the hut. It was our favorite part of the trip and unforgettable. The scenery and views on the way up & down are pristine. Unfamiliar with the area and being form out of town lots of preparations were key to a successful trip including using this post, thank you!
over 1 year ago
Jason HatfieldExplorer
Adventure and travel photographer based out of Denver, Colorado. I teach photography workshops and offer private guiding around the west. More at jasonjhatfield.com
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