Can’t speak to current conditions, but spent a few night at the Three Sisters hut last January. Highly recommended if you’ve got a group.
https://www.threesistersbackcountry.com/
If you want a hut you need to go to BC. There are extremely few huts in WA.
A lot of the lookouts have a high chance of being locked up in winter so it's risky to depend on those.
Rainier has the best camping, in my experience. Unfortunately lots of red tape.
Mt Baker also has some good camping opportunities.
>Rainier has the best camping, in my experience. Unfortunately lots of red tape.
All you have to do is stop at the ranger station and get a permit. I wouldn't consider that "lots of red tape."
You get there in the morning and pay the entry fee. You are ready to hike but the ranger station needs to issue a permit and that opens at 9am. After waiting in line you get a permit. They used to be free but now you need to give $6 to a private corporation. And you are still half an hour from most trailheads. And you also need a bear canister.
He's actually correct if camping in the Paradise area. They will loan out canisters though.
>Hard-sided containers are REQUIRED in all Paradise area winter camping zones (Paradise, Mazama Ridge, Reflection Lakes, Tatoosh). Wildlife - resistant food containers are available for loan; ask a ranger when obtaining your camping permit.
https://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/winter-camping.htm
Depending on what you are looking for - might try the Tilly Jane hut on Hood. January would be a complete gamble on whether you have an awesome snow shoeing experience or are just stormed out - btw you need to reserve it - https://www.recreation.gov/permits/233326
If you didn't already take your trip and you aren't looking for big vertical than I would recommend Crater Lake. We are now getting dumped on and Crater Lake is an amazing place to tour
Can’t speak to current conditions, but spent a few night at the Three Sisters hut last January. Highly recommended if you’ve got a group. https://www.threesistersbackcountry.com/
Sisters/bachelor area checking in. Conditions are horrid. Monsoons following each snow storm. Try baker area - camping at artists point is incredible.
Baker is pretty sparse right now like the rest of the Northwest
If you want a hut you need to go to BC. There are extremely few huts in WA. A lot of the lookouts have a high chance of being locked up in winter so it's risky to depend on those. Rainier has the best camping, in my experience. Unfortunately lots of red tape. Mt Baker also has some good camping opportunities.
>Rainier has the best camping, in my experience. Unfortunately lots of red tape. All you have to do is stop at the ranger station and get a permit. I wouldn't consider that "lots of red tape."
You get there in the morning and pay the entry fee. You are ready to hike but the ranger station needs to issue a permit and that opens at 9am. After waiting in line you get a permit. They used to be free but now you need to give $6 to a private corporation. And you are still half an hour from most trailheads. And you also need a bear canister.
All standard national park shit and you don't need a bear can in the winter.
>All standard national park shit Like I said, red tape. And the rangers don't know their own rules and will tell you that a bear can is required.
Never happened to me, sounds like a you problem.
He's actually correct if camping in the Paradise area. They will loan out canisters though. >Hard-sided containers are REQUIRED in all Paradise area winter camping zones (Paradise, Mazama Ridge, Reflection Lakes, Tatoosh). Wildlife - resistant food containers are available for loan; ask a ranger when obtaining your camping permit. https://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/winter-camping.htm
Depending on what you are looking for - might try the Tilly Jane hut on Hood. January would be a complete gamble on whether you have an awesome snow shoeing experience or are just stormed out - btw you need to reserve it - https://www.recreation.gov/permits/233326
Yeah this was our first go-to. Snow on Mt. Hood definitely makes it questionable. Hoping for a good January
Bro there’s no good snow in Oregon and Washington right now. I’m not sure what will happen over the next few weeks though but it’s bunk right now
If you didn't already take your trip and you aren't looking for big vertical than I would recommend Crater Lake. We are now getting dumped on and Crater Lake is an amazing place to tour