High Hut Snowshoe
Mount Rainier AreaBest Dec–Mar
A steep snowshoe climb through forest to a ridge-top alpine hut with panoramic views of Rainier, Adams, St. Helens, and the Olympics.
About This Trail
High Hut sits on a ridge in the Mount Tahoma Trails Association system and delivers the best views of any MTTA destination. The route gains 732 meters almost continuously from the sno-park, pushing through dense forest before breaking into clearings where Mount St. Helens and Adams come into view. The final stretch opens to a full panorama: Rainier filling the eastern sky, the Nisqually Valley below, Anderson Lake, Puget Sound, and the Olympic Range on the horizon.
The hut itself comes equipped with a wood stove, cooking utensils, a stovetop and oven, bunk beds with mattresses, and an outdoor pit toilet. Overnight reservations through MTTA are mandatory between 7 PM and 7 AM. Day visitors are welcome for free.
Navigation requires attention. Mileage markers on the MTTA trail system can run inaccurate, and winter whiteout conditions make GPS or a good map essential. The access road between the lower and upper parking lots often ices over, and multiple trip reports flag this stretch as the crux of the drive. Carry traction devices for the vehicle and for boots.
Astronomy
Trail Conditions
“Some ice at the lot and icy walking to the gate.”
Last report: Mar 14, 2026
Scorecard
Safety & Considerations
Today's Hazard
- Strong sun — sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses recommended
Persistent Hazards
- Icy access road between lower and upper parking lots
- Winter navigation challenging with inaccurate mileage markers
- Steep sustained climb in snow conditions
Getting There
Lower sno-park is 5 miles up DNR Road 1 from SR 706. Upper lot is 1 mile farther but the road between them frequently ices over. Multiple trip reports recommend parking at the lower lot and walking up. Sno-Parks Permit required Nov-Apr, Discover Pass May-Oct.
From Elbe, take SR 706 east about 8 miles toward Ashford. Turn onto the road just before the Baptist Church to access DNR Road 1. Follow sno-park signs. The route climbs steadily from the sno-park gate on groomed and ungroomed trails. Stay on marked MTTA routes and carry a map.
Start early to allow enough daylight for the steep 7.8-mile round trip. For overnights, plan to arrive at the hut well before dark to set up and get the wood stove going.
Recent Reports
Rode along with the snowcat operator as he groomed trails to Snow Bowl and High Hut. Helped set up and serve at the annual free Pancake Breakfast with fellow Ski Patrollers and Hut Mgr.
Conditions were the same as the previous trip report. We used just spikes and the snow was just slushy enough to make it a bit of a slog.
I am pleased and saddened to report the road to the upper lot was dry and clear. Some ice at the lot and icy walking to the gate.
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