Pear Lake Ski Hut
Posted: Tue Dec 24, 2019 1:06 am
Since camping in the cold and staying in my sleeping bag for the 14 hours of darkness doesn’t really appeal to me, I took the sissy way into winter backpacking and applied for an April lottery date for the Pear Lake Ski Hut. When that was denied I ended up taking what ever dates were left, so December 20th it was. While this trip is a pretty simple walk in the woods compared to Harlen’s hut trips, it was a great way to start.
My goal this year was to ski in, but since the hut master had posted a horrible description of the snow conditions and all of the friends that I had invited had limited cross country navigation experience and no skis, we all simply snow shoed the 6.5 miles in. In order to get to Pear lake in the winter you must go up and over what is called the Hump as apposed to going around the watch tower. As we headed up the hump I was relieved that I had snow shoes and not skis as it was rutted ice straight up for about a mile and a half. While I am a pretty good skier, powder skis on this stuff would have been above my level.
Getting to the hut was relatively uneventful, but the beauty of hiking in the back country in the winter is amazing and so quiet. If My ADD would allow me to stay in my sleeping bag for 14 hour stretches I think I would back pack every weekend in the winter.
The Hut is really just the pear lake ranger station with bunks, toilet, propane stoves and a pellet heating stove. We had reserved two nights and so we were able to do some shoeing around the table lands area and the Matterhorn on day two.
Another great thing about hiking in cold weather and staying at the hut is that it allows you to leave the tent, pad and cooking gear at home and carry in great food that would usually spoil. Dinners consisted of carne asada tacos and spaghetti with meat balls and garlic toast while Breakfast consisted of sausage and bacon as well as pancakes and eggs. Between hikes we dined on smoked meats, cheese and French bread.
As you would expect, hanging out in the hut telling stories and playing cards with the hutmaster and other out door enthusiasts was a great experience!
Now I just need to continue working on my ski touring with some east side day hikes and maybe next year I can ski in.
My goal this year was to ski in, but since the hut master had posted a horrible description of the snow conditions and all of the friends that I had invited had limited cross country navigation experience and no skis, we all simply snow shoed the 6.5 miles in. In order to get to Pear lake in the winter you must go up and over what is called the Hump as apposed to going around the watch tower. As we headed up the hump I was relieved that I had snow shoes and not skis as it was rutted ice straight up for about a mile and a half. While I am a pretty good skier, powder skis on this stuff would have been above my level.
Getting to the hut was relatively uneventful, but the beauty of hiking in the back country in the winter is amazing and so quiet. If My ADD would allow me to stay in my sleeping bag for 14 hour stretches I think I would back pack every weekend in the winter.
The Hut is really just the pear lake ranger station with bunks, toilet, propane stoves and a pellet heating stove. We had reserved two nights and so we were able to do some shoeing around the table lands area and the Matterhorn on day two.
Another great thing about hiking in cold weather and staying at the hut is that it allows you to leave the tent, pad and cooking gear at home and carry in great food that would usually spoil. Dinners consisted of carne asada tacos and spaghetti with meat balls and garlic toast while Breakfast consisted of sausage and bacon as well as pancakes and eggs. Between hikes we dined on smoked meats, cheese and French bread.
As you would expect, hanging out in the hut telling stories and playing cards with the hutmaster and other out door enthusiasts was a great experience!
Now I just need to continue working on my ski touring with some east side day hikes and maybe next year I can ski in.