Winter in the Backcountry - Broome Hut

Winter brings new kinds of backcountry adventures.   While we do spend more time indoors with the change of season, we still enjoy carrying our belongs on our backs and heading into the mountains.  The huts of Colorado provide us with this outlet, and give us a cozy place to lay our heads at night.

Our latest winter hut trip was to the Broome Hut, part of the Grand Huts Association.  Located near Berthoud Pass, Colorado, it is easily accessible but still a getaway.  The route in from the trailhead is about one mile, but steep at 800 feet of elevation gain.  The hut sits at 11,350 feet, just above treeline.  It is the perfect perch from which to peer over the surrounding peaks.


The weather for our overnight trip this balmy January was sunny, with a low of about 21 degrees Fahrenheit and a high of 48.  The snow was very packed down, raising the question of the most appropriate way to transport ourselves up the mountain.  On a past trip, we snowshoed.  But we bought new gear at the end of last winter including Altai Skis for Matt and the boys.  I used my backcountry cross country skis... Fischer S Bound 98's.  (Check out our video reviews below for more information).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_66oqYqkTZg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=domBHNY-rok

With skins positioned under our skis to improve traction up the mountain, we were on our way.  Well, sort of.  The pitch of the path rapidly increased.  And with the tightly packed snow underneath, we slipped a few inches back with every step forward.  Fortunately our trek was relatively short and we still arrived to the hut soon after the 1 p.m. check-in time.

Broome Hut offers an area for day hikers to rest and warm up after snowshoeing or skiing in.  It is a great launch for backcountry skiers to head further into the steeps before dropping into their descents.  On a powder day, this can be an easily approachable backcountry ski site for those with  avalanche gear.

When one has an overnight reservation, the living area of the hut has large windows from which to see the surrounding peaks, watch the weather roll in, and enjoy the clear night sky.  The large cooking area is adequately supplied.  A nice luxury to this hut is an indoor composting toilet... no midnight snowy ventures to the outhouse here.

When on a hut trip, most people take advantage of the snow and pull heavy supplies on a sled.  This allows us to plan fun meals and to take whatever adult beverage we prefer.  Mulled wine was on the menu.  We shared with some of the other folks at the hut.  In turn, they shared a local brew from Guanella Pass Brewing Company in Georgetown, Colorado.... Excellent!   We will definitely need to stop our next time through.

After a great night's sleep in our bunk room, we used the morning to practice our turns...  This is about the time we realized our return trip could be a little treacherous.  Telemark turns with my gear were suboptimal, to say the least.  We were glad the return trip would be short.

Indeed, the descent to the trailhead was clumsy and slow going.  I actually longed for my snowshoes.  We all made it back to packed snow where we happily strapped our various skis to our sled, then walked down the mountain.  Still, with each step, I was planning my mastery of the telemark turn.  We will be back!

-Mama Bear

Bring on the Snow... It's Hut Trip Season!

All ready to go!

And the snowflakes have arrived...   An end to our backcountry adventures?  Or just the beginning?  A few weeks ago, we ventured to the Colorado backcountry on a hut trip.  Now I know what you are thinking... What is a hut trip?  I would define it as the perfect extension of our love for backpacking  without the constant cold of winter camping.  The 10th Mountain Division Hut Association is named in honor of the 10th Mountain Division of the U.S. Army which trained in central Colorado in World War II.  This association manages several huts in the central Colorado area.  Individuals who make use of these huts share the love of the outdoors and sense of adventure the men of the 10th Mountain Division did in their day. 

Our hut experience began at the parking area at Vail Pass where we climbed out of the station wagon, donned our winter gear - snow pants, hat, goggles, and unloaded the trunk.  Gear included our backpacks, snowshoes, and a homemade pulk (a sled with lines and PVC pipe supporting so the sled can be pulled up and down the mountain with a measure of control).  And of course two eager little boys.

The views were inspiring!

We quickly found the trailhead, strapped on our snowshoes and were off!  Well, not really.  Gus was lying down in the snow more than up hiking.  Jack persisted with his slow and steady pace.  But it didn't take long before Matt resorted to pulling Gus in the pulk.  But our homemade pulk was a bit less than optimal, and we could see why others were willing to pay around $300 for this piece of equipment.  Gus was still spending more time lying in the snow than making forward progress.  We considered turning back.  But, have no fear, a few adjustments in the load and some hot cocoa and we were off. 

The path took us along a stream and clearing.  The clear sky let us see the surrounding snow covered peaks and a nearby ski resort.  We passed a few snowshoers who were headed down.  Otherwise, though, the silence the snow allowed was amazing.  We ascended only about 500 feet and traveled about 3 miles all together.  We got to a point where we crossed the clearing into a wooded area and found Shrine Mountain Inn.  Ours was the third in the group of three... Walter's Cabin.  I was told it was the best, and was not disappointed.  The view was amazing.

Our home for the night...  Walter's Cabin

Inside we were happy to find a propane heater and stove as well as running water and cookware.  Our sleeping bags were needed on top of the supplied mattresses and pillows.  There was a table and chairs in the living area...  In terms of backcountry experiences, this place was plush!

Warm and cozy...

We heated up some chili, fixed cocoa for the boys and peppermint patties for Matt and I and settled in.  We read books, played Uno, and just relaxed.  And in our exhaustion from the hike, were all to sleep by 7:30 or so.

In the morning, having the luxury of a stove, we had a great breakfast of eggs, bacon and bagels.  We were pleased to have another sunny day for our hike out.  Downhill, of course, was much easier.  We finished with some sledding on the way back.  All in all, a fantastic time!

We will see you on the trail!

Mama Bear