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.
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