We had an excellent few nights in the huts despite the lack of weather to see Rainier.  We arrived Saturday morning and the road was pretty sketchy with snow all the way to the 3000' level.  We had a variety of 4wd and AWD vehicles that all made it without any aid.  We loaded out pulk and pulled and pulled  and pulled.  Hmmm, I dont think that one sled was enough for our food.  The trails were in great shape and we had a balance of old grooming, a foot of fresh snow and the lucky recipients of fresh grooming.  

We stayed at Bruni's on Saturday then High Hut on Sunday. I have to say that the Bruni hut seems to be better stocked with supplies and games then High Hut.  It feel more like a vacation home where as High Hut has a more rustic quaint feel of being in a mountain cabin.  They have different feels to them.  We did notice that if you have wet clothing it doesnt dry out completely at Bruni's like it does High Hut.

These huts rely on leaving them better when you leave them then as you found them.  We left supplies for the next folks.  I know that this area is all volunteer operated and the people there are not getting paid.  They take their time and energy to make this a great place for all.  This helps keep the costs down to a very affordable $15 a night.  They spend their weekends and free time grooming and cleaning as well.  There seems to be some overkill on the "not walking in the middle of the road with snowshoes"  We were told this many times and couldnt tell if this was them just explaining things or telling us we were doing it wrong as we were trying to keep to the sides from the get go. Some of them could lighten up some and it might come across much better.  Another mentioned walking towards the side but that is more dangerous as they dont compact the side and you randomly post hole. The one person said that they dont want you to make these post holes as they are dangerous yet when they say walk toward the side then you do have that problem even with snow shoes.  Sometimes I wonder.

Overall a great place to visit and many thanks to all the people that volunteer to make this hut system as great as it is.

The Mount Tahoma Ski Trail System is a treasure! Skinned into and glided out from High Hut. The un groomed and fairly icy snow started as if by magic right at the upper parking area on Road 1. Weather conditions were perfect:) There were hikers, snowshoers, and skiers using the trail. The glide out was really fast and some skiers decided to walk out, some kept their skins on. According to fellow skiers, the trail to Snow Bowl Hut was in about the same condition as High Hut. More snow if forecasted for this week:) so grooming should start again.

On Sunday we were lucky to have had a window of good weather despite not seeing Rainier until the last few hundred yard of the journey.  The road was free and clear of any snow or ice to the the 3000' level.  Thanks MTTA!!  They are all volunteers and do an exceptional job providing access and maintaining the trails in this system.  If it wasnt for the hours and effort this group puts into this system it wouldnt be able to exist. These four huts are a real hidden and lesser known gem for winter snow shoeing and we are lucky to have these huts and trails.  

You can drive any vehicle to the 3000' parking area but be aware that conditions change daily here.  Yesterday another group went it I think they had some dryer snow were as on Sunday it was a little wet.  The trails were groomed all the way to High Hut and then to Bruni Snow Bowl, our second stop. My All Trails shows about s four hours total of moving time.  About 1.5 hours to High Hut and 1.5 hours to Bruni and about a hour down. We rested for about 90 minutes between the two huts.  

Drive time from I -90 and I - 405 to the trail head is two hours, so its not as far away as you think if there is no traffic.  As long as there is no rain and there is snow on the ground these huts make a great adventure.  You will love your first trip even if Rainier isnt visible but it will leave you the desire to return on a day when it does show itself.  This place is up there with Artist Point in terms of "must do" snow shoe locations in the area, its just different.

Road is open to the upper lot, road/trail is snow covered most of the rest of the way to High Hut from there. Not enough coverage for skis or snowshoes (only a few inches deep even at the top), but microspikes were nice to have.

We parked at the lower lot at about 09:40, and there was only one other car there. The upper lot wasn't completely full, but we wanted the extra workout. It took us approximately 2.5 hours up and 1.5 down; GPS had the total milage at 8.5.

Awesome views from the hut; great weather for a walk up the hill!

A perfect spot with views galore.  The hut was clean and tidy.  Thank you Hut Mgr. for all your improvements.