Nick B.recommendsJuly 22, 2018
Caribou Hut
Directions from hipcamp were accurate to the site. Last gate to cabin should be taken with 4x4 with good lift during summer. Amazing hiking and exploring with close springs in multiple directions. Enjoyed it thoroughly!
Caribou Hut
We had a great stay at the hut. We originally had a 2 night stay planned, but because of weather, we only were able to stay 1. Hiking to the hut in winter is incredibly difficult. The only reason we were able to find it was because of google maps gps location, and the 3 of us are very experienced hikers. It is about 2 miles to get to the hut but the trail after the 2nd gate is pretty much non-existent, at least in winter.
When we arrived at the hut we were very impressed and excited. It's extremely cute and once you get the wood stove up and running, it stays shockingly warm! The loft areas can sleep 3 people comfortably, 4 if two really want to snuggle. If you're not a fan of heights, this may not be the best option for you as the ladder to the lofts is a bit wiggly.
We really enjoyed our trip, but there were a couple things we were a little concerned about. There is a spot in the floor that is EXTREMELY weak. There's a piece of plywood over it, but the plywood is broken and has some nails sticking out of it which with our dogs, wasn't very safe. There also was a bunch of repair supplies(?) in the hut which took up quite a bit of space. We moved everything into a corner, but we weren't expecting it.
Overall, this is a great place to go to if you're looking for a technology free weekend. It's cozy, remote, and in a beautiful area. We had a great trip and definitely have an adventure to remember!
Caribou Hut
We tried to visit the hut, but couldn't find it in the dark with the combination of snow and dense forest. It was a beautiful snow-shoe in and out, please be careful and prepared when visiting as the hut is ~1.5 miles trek in.
Vanessa H.doesn't recommendMarch 17, 2018
Caribou Hut
This hut was very rustic, the surrounding area was beautiful. Snow shoes were definitely helpful. We unfortunately had a rough time finding the road that leads to the hut. We had to turn around, go home and try again the next day. Dirk (owner) was easy to get a hold of and provided us with more thorough directions. Still, we downloaded the GPS map on my phone and relied heavily on it. Despite having the map, we were unable to follow the road and ended up on a single track back country trail that took us there (ended up being 2.5 miles instead of 1.5). On the way out we followed the road and realized we had passed it three times, it was very difficult to find, unused and the heavily trafficked snow shoe trail going a different direction made it easy to miss. We used our own firewood for the wood stove (there was not much there) and our own propane stove (was not sure how to use the propane stove in the hut and no directions).
Robin M.recommendsFebruary 21, 2018
Caribou Hut
We had an amazing time staying at the Caribou Hut! We were there in February, so there was a good few feet of snow as we made our way to the hut and in the surrounding areas-- we had snowshoes so this was no problem. As the other reviewer stated, this is a very rustic cabin that provides adequate heat with a wood-burning stove. We brought all other supplies with us-- including a water filter that we used with melted snow. We did not have to carry any firewood with us, but instead used the bow saw that was provided at the hut to cut plenty of firewood for the entire weekend. Because the road is closed in the winter and completely snowed-over, our approach was slightly challenging to find after we separated from the heavily-used snow-shoeing path. We were able to find the hut despite following the wrong ski tracks because I had previously entered the coordinates provided into my phone. This, paired with a compass, made our navigation really easy-- I would recommend doing the same if you go up in the winter. We spent the days snowshoeing the surrounding area and enjoyed really beautiful sights. We loved this hut and were not ready to leave! We would definitely book again.
Maegen L.recommendsFebruary 6, 2018
Caribou Hut
My trip to Caribou Hut was quite the adventure! I visited the hut with a friend and two dogs. If you're making the trip in the winter, I'd highly recommend snowshoes as it's a 1.5 mile hike in from the closed Forest Service road and the snow got very deep. The cabin is very rustic so we were glad to have packed in everything we needed (sleeping pads, bags, cooking utensils, etc). There is a propane stove but we ended up cooking our tinfoil meals right on top of the small wood stove. There was some wood underneath the cabin that we burned but I'd suggest being prepared to forage for more or pack in a bundle or two. There are two lofts that you could sleep in but we ended up making our beds next to the wood stove so the pups could sleep next to us. The hike in/out was really beautiful and we enjoyed pizza and beer in Nederland before our hike in! We encountered several backcountry skiers that were also using the beginning part of the trail. Would definitely recommend staying at the Caribou Hut if you're comfortable with a someone strenuous hike (in the winter) and rustic accommodations! We'll certainly be back.