Basic Snowshoe - Copper Creek Hut

 This is an easy but steady uphill route.  We may use only micro-spikes at the start until we reach higher elevation. We will stop as needed. The hut has a few amenities; electricity, gas stove, limited water and compost toilet.  Lunch time will last about 45 minutes. We will return to the trail head and out brief before 4pm.

Based on the current forecast, we will meet at the uppermost trailhead on Forest Road 92 at 10:00am.  This is where we will have our briefing, grab our gear and head out.  Although there is an outhouse at the middle trail parking, there is no bathroom at the uppermost trailhead. A Sno-Park Pass is required for all vehicles.

Getting There

From SR-7 in Elbe, turn east on SR-706 (National Park Road).  Almost in Ashford, turn north onto Forest Road 92. Continue on and park at the lower, middle or upper Road 92 Sno-Park (depending the snow level).

About the Huts and Trails

Located near Ashford, Washington, and Mount Rainier National Park, the Mount Tahoma Trails Association (MTTA) operates a system of about 50 miles of trails (20 miles of them groomed), one hut in their North District and two huts, and a yurt in their South District. The huts are open to the public all day from 7 am to 7 pm. Reservations are required for overnight stays.

Trails are shared with cross-country skiers. Please keep to the side of the trail and do not tromp all over either the groomed ski platform or tracks if you are snowshoeing. Dogs are not allowed in the North District, because it is located within the Mount Rainier Gateway Forest, a wildlife preserve.

Mileages and elevation gains are from the upper Sno-Park. Starting lower can add up to 4.5 miles round trip and 740 feet of elevation gain. Also, no dogs are allowed in the North District as it's in a wildlife preserve.

The North District including Copper Creek Hut closes in spring and is not open during the summer. The trails are off -limits during the summer, because of MTTA's special arrangements for recreational users and because it's a wildlife preserve.