The Big Belt Hut sleeps up to 15, has a wood-fired sauna, and sits high on Mt. Baldy with ski, bike, and hiking terrain right out the door.
Hut inventory
Big Belt Hut Inventory
Kitchen
- 3 burner propane Camp Chef stove top with plenty of propane.
- Stainless steel and cast iron cookware
- Pots and pans with lids
- Stainless steel 24 cup coffee percolator
- Pour over coffee dripper and filters
- Stainless steel colander
- Stainless steel mixing bowls
- Plates, Bowls, Cups, Coffee/Tea Mugs
- Forks, Knives, Spoons
- Sharp cutting knives
- Cutting Boards
- Cooking utensils (flipper, spoons, ladle, spatual, tongs, grater)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Can Opener
- Wine Opener
- Empty Water Jugs
- Bins for washing dishes, soap and sponges
- Trash Can
- Dish rags
- Paper towels
- Toilet paper
- trash bags,
- NOT PROVIDED: first aid kit, repair kit, PLB (Personal Locator Beacon)
Sleeping
- 6 full size memory foam mattresses 4 twin memory foam mattresses (3 sets of full size bunks, 2 sets of twin bunks)
Other
- Goal Zero Yeti system with lighting and solar panel
- During the winter, short days, lack of sunshine, and cold temps often prevent the goal zero from charging. Please use only for lighting and bring battery banks if you are looking to charge phones and other electronics
- Propane lantern for lighting (when Goal Zero is not working) with extra mantels
- Wood Burning Stove and firewood
- Splitting Maul and hatchet
- Snow shovels
- Latrine + Toilet Paper
- Propane canisters are available for lighting if the battery is drained.
- Steel Bear Box located next to the stairs onto the deck. The combination for the bear box is the same as the hut.
- Cooler (35 qts)
- Will be locked inside of the bear box, please return it to the bear box when you leave.
See inside
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Backcountry Skiing at the Big Belt Hut
$500
Per Night
Snowmobile + ski approach
From Duck Creek winter parking, travel 8 miles by snowmobile to Duck Creek Pass (non-motorized boundary), then ski 3 miles up Trail 151 to the hut, gaining ~1,000 feet.
PDFTrailhead to hut (PDF)
Duck Creek Road to Trail 151 with mileage and elevations.
Gear haul details
- Meet at the Duck Creek winter parking lot at 10:30 a.m. Thursdays and Fridays.
- Snowmobile tow 8 miles to the non-motorized boundary; then you will ski in the final 3 miles.
- The return trip is primarily downhill, so hauls are inbound only.
Sauna at 8,600'
Just steps away from the hut, a wood-burning barrel sauna can fit up to 6 people. While we're not positive, we are pretty sure this is Montana's highest sauna.
What to bring
Winter packing list
Winter Gear Checklist
Note: Getting to the Big Belt Hut requires a 3 mile ski with 1000’ vertical gain. Although an easy summer trek, depending on winter conditions the ski could take anywhere from 2-3+ hours. Please remember to pack light to make the trip into the hut more enjoyable. The tour in has very few sidehills and pulling a well designed pulk/sled with some or all of your gear is also a viable option!
Packing List
- Large Overnight Backpack – Large enough for all your equipment and overnight gear (approx. 45-70L volume). If you are willing to carry the extra weight, an additional smaller day pack for touring once we have arrived at the hut can be nice. Often we find that a medium sized pack that is good for both, can keep you from packing too many non-essentials while also working great for both the trip in and for day tours around the hut.
- Digital Transceiver (Beacon)
- Shovel
- Probe
- Skins
- Puffy Layer
- Waterproof Shell
- Sunglasses and Goggles
- 2 Hats
- Scarf/Buff
- 2 pairs of Gloves
- Extra layers
- Sunscreen
- Extra Batteries
- Head Lamp
- Water Bottle
- Sleeping bag – Suggestion: rated Zero degrees or colder
- Skis/splitboard – functioning bindings with all parts accounted for before leaving
- Ski/snowboard Boots
- Ski Poles
- Clothes to sleep in
- Yurt Slippers
- Big Puffy Layer
- 2 pair Long Underwear bottoms
- 2 Long underwear Tops
- Mid-weight top
- 2 pair underwear/bras
- 3 pairs of socks
- Ski Pants
- Personal Toiletries – Including all personal medications needed for the duration of the trip
- Food
- Extra Snack Food and Specialty Foods
Optional
- Small Thermos
- Chemical toe/hand warmers
- Camera
- Cell Phone
- Small Battery Charger Pack- To preserve the Goal Zero Battery for the lights
- Essential Oils for the Sauna- Eucalyptus, Citrus, & Birch are good ones
Group Supplies
- Multi-Tool
- First Aid Kit
- Snow Science Kit
- Fire starting capabilities (multiple lighters, matches, paper)
- Trash Bags
- Personal Locator Beacon For Emergencies
- Cell Phone service can generally be good enough at the hut to call for help, but is not guaranteed to work!
Book Big Belt Hut - Winter
- Check-in and check-out time is 12:00 p.m.
- Begin trips on green dates; stretch to the next red date.
- Gear hauls available on Thursdays and Fridays.
Summer at Big Belt Hut
$225
Per Night
Trail 151 approach
Stage at Duck Creek Pass, then travel ~3 miles up Trail 151 gaining ~1,000 feet. High-clearance 4x4s can shorten the hike along the decommissioned road. E-bikes are allowed on the approach road.
PDFSummer overview map
Duck Creek Pass approach, Trail 151, and nearby ridgelines.
What to bring
Summer packing list
Summer Gear Checklist
Getting into the big belt hut requires either a 3 mile hike with 1000’ vertical gain up Trail 151 (a beautiful, straightforward hike) or a 1 mile hike and 500’ vertical gain on a road if your vehicle can make it up the 4x4 road to the communication tower (need high clearance + 4x4)
Packing List
- Medium to Large Backpack – Large enough for all your equipment and overnight gear (approx. 45-70L volume). If you are willing to carry the extra weight, an additional smaller day pack for hiking around the hut can be nice. Often we find that a medium sized pack that is good for both, can keep you from packing too many non-essentials while also working great for both the trip in and for day outings around the hut.
- Light Puffy / Warm Layer – It can cool down at night and you’ll want to be able to sit out on the deck and enjoy the evening.
- Waterproof Layer
- Sunglasses
- Sun Hat/Ball Cap
- Sunscreen
- Extra Batteries
- Head Lamp
- Water Bottle
- Bear Spray
- Hiking Pants/Shorts
- Hiking Boots or good sneakers/running shoes
- Hiking Socks – A thicker pair of wool or synthetic socks can make a big difference in blisters and comfort when hiking, especially with a heavier load than normal.
- Light shirt or tee shirt
- Warm shirt
- Sleeping bag – A lightweight bag is adequate for Summer. Consider a warmer bag / extra sleeping layers in late summer/fall when the evenings are much cooler.
- Personal Toiletries – Including all personal medications needed for the duration of the trip
- Extra Snack Food and Specialty Foods
Optional
- Camera
- Cell Phone
- Fishing Supplies
Group Supplies
- Food
Want to keep it easy? Check out the excellent freeze dried meals from our friends at Gastro Gnome https://www.gastrognomemeals.com/
- Cooking Oil + Spices (Salt + Pepper) (Please do not leave/stock any of these supplies in the summer months)
- Water Filter/Treatment
- Multi-Tool
- First Aid Kit
- Personal Locator Beacon For Emergencies
Cell Phone service can generally be good enough at the hut to call for help, but is not guaranteed to work!
Book Big Belt Hut - Summer
- Check-in and check-out time is 12:00 p.m.
- Begin trips on green dates; stretch to the next red date.