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McNamara Hut

Aspen, Colorado

5.0/5
based on 1 reviews

Details

Distance

12.46 miles

Elevation Gain

2631 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Jason Hatfield

Only 6 miles outside of Aspen sits a rustic and secluded ski-hut, McNamara 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.

Dogs are not permitted at the hut. 

SAFETY:
Please make sure that at least one member of your trip has experience evaluating avalanche and snow stability hazards and practicing prudent backcountry and winter mountain travel techniques. Please make sure you are up-to-date on current avalanche conditions, which can be found at the Colorado Avalanche Information Center website. Make sure you bring appropriate gear and know how to use it: beacon; probe; shovel

PACKLIST:

  • Reservations: huts.org
  • Snow transportation: Backcountry Skis w/ skins, Nordic Skis, Snowshoes, Splitboard
  • Avalanche safety gear: Beacon, Probe, Shovel, Avy Air Bag (optional)
  • Winter travel/topo maps
  • 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 on where you sleep a lightweight bag might be enough
  • Headlamp
  • Camer
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Features

Snowboarding
Skiing
Backpacking
Bathrooms
Forest
Groups
Scenic

McNamara Hut Reviews

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!

Leave No Trace

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

Nearby

Hike Aspen's Ute Trail

Explore Aspen's Foliage Along Government Trail

Hike Grottos Trail

Camp on the Backside of Buttermilk Mountain

Ski the Aspen Highland Bowl

Ski or Snowshoe to the Maroon Bells