Mount Tahoma Trails Association

The Mount Tahoma Trails Association operates North America’s largest no-fee Hut-to-Hut Trail System for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

The system features approximately 50 miles of trails, including 20 miles of groomed paths, leading to three ski huts and a yurt. Trails cater to all skill levels and are marked clearly. An all-volunteer ski patrol monitors trails as availability permits. Trek for a day or stay overnight in Ashford. Access the trail system through two Washington State Sno-Parks. While the trailheads are regularly plowed, snow tires and chains might be necessary.

Every winter, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing enthusiasts can explore both the North and Southside districts.

Explore the expanded North District, a perfect blend of beginner-friendly hut access and a network of groomed and backcountry trails. Families with children particularly favor the Copper Creek Hut, located 4 miles away, as an excellent day or overnight destination. Nearby trails from the Copper Creek Hut cater to all skill levels, from the short “ridge view” loop to longer trips to Glacier Vista and the Puyallup Lookout Tower. Don’t miss the Rainier Vista Trail above Copper Hut for breathtaking views of Tahoma (Mt. Rainier). Access the North District by turning right off Highway 706, one mile west of Ashford, onto Forest Service 92 Road.

In the South District, enjoy unparalleled views of Mount Rainier, High Rock, Griffin Mountain, and the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, all while staying under 4500 feet. Two huts and a yurt in the South District offer rest and quiet seclusion. High Hut, positioned on a windswept bluff, provides a picturesque day or overnight stay. Alternatively, opt for the Yurt, located six miles from the same Sno-Park. The Snow Bowl Hut, accommodating ten, offers expansive views from the deck, but remember, overnight reservations are a must.

About the huts

Each hut features solar electric lights, propane fireplaces, and full kitchen facilities, ensuring guests a well-equipped stay. Water is readily available, and guests need only bring a sleeping bag, food, and overnight clothing.

Snow Bowl Hut, accommodating 10 overnight guests, sits atop a vast, open backcountry bowl, offering excellent cross-country skiing just outside the front door. Access to the hut is intermediate, and it is situated four miles from the South District sno-park.
Perched on a scenic ridge with breathtaking Cascade Mountain views, High Hut accommodates 8 overnight guests. The intermediate approach to the hut is four miles from the South District snowpark.
Nestled in the forest, the Yurt, the most remote hut on the trail system, sleeps six overnight guests. The intermediate-to-expert approach covers a considerable distance and is located six miles from the South District snowpark.
Copper Creek Hut, the most accessible and popular, features a very gradual ascent suitable for beginners. Families with small children frequently visit this hut, which sleeps 14 overnight guests. Located in the North District off 92 Road, it provides a welcoming experience for all.

In summer, the landscape turns into a mountain biker and hiker’s playground, shifting from a skier’s paradise.

Trails wind through the South Cascades range, revealing stunning views of Mt. Rainier, Mt. St. Helens, and Mt. Adams. The well-marked trails cater to all levels, from novices to experts. Spend nights at a hut, relishing the clean mountain air and extraordinary above-the-cloud sunsets. No parking fees or passes are needed for summer day visits. All overnight visits are based on availability and require reservations in advance.