Harry Gates Hut

Hut Trip Tip: When overnighting in an isolated mountain chalet beware of guests "exercising" with hatchets! 

I've never been on a winter hut trip nor had I spent any time in a 10th Mountain Hut ever, so when the opportunity to venture to Harry Gates Hut presented itself early this winter, I jumped at the opportunity!  Eight of us woke up early on December 14th and began our trek up to the hut. 

The trail climbed quickly into an aspen forest before spitting us out onto a 4-wheeling road that's used to access the hut during the summer months. We arrived at the hut in the late afternoon, cold, sore and tired! The inviting hut quickly made us feel cozy and comfortable, and we were quickly ready for cocktail hour. 

We all pitched in to whip up a delicious spaghetti dinner complete with garlic bread and salad. Surprisingly we even had some leftovers. We spent the night playing games, sharing stories, laughing and stoking the fire. Just before bed we decided to head outside and celebrate our journey by lighting sparklers and dancing around in the moonlight (it wasn't nearly as weird as I just made it sound)! 

In the morning, we made a huge breakfast consisting of eggs, bacon, veggies and bagels before cleaning up the hut and beginning our hike/ski/snowshoe back down to our cars. It was an adventure for sure that already has us all thinking about which hut to venture to next winter!