The CMC’s
Wild Basin
Warming Hut

by Linda Watry

Picture a quiet snowy evening or a bright full moon on a fresh blanket of snow. Then imagine yourself by a warm fire with a good book. You’re miles from the hectic pace with plans for morning trekking on untrammeled snow.

That’s what’s available to CMC members at the Wild Basin Warming Hut in Rocky Mountain National Park. The Park charges no fee.

For nearly twenty years, RMNP has made the living quarters next to the Wild Basin Ranger Station a place of refuge from the winter weather for people using the trails in Wild Basin. The Enos Mills Group—and especially Marge Dunmire—did a fine job managing and enlisting hosts for the hut until that CMC group disbanded.

Now Shining Mountains is the CMC group selected to do the supervising. As in the past, all members of any CMC Group may be hosts for the warming hut. There has been a waiting list of people wanting to use the hut.

The RMNP Wild Basin Warming Hut provides a wonderful chance for CMC members to have a quality weekend in the Park while helping the Park provide a place of warmth and safety for fellow winter recreationists. While you enjoy the trails, at least one person from your party must be at the hut during the daylight hours to greet any visitors stopping by for the warm fire and a warm drink.

RMNP provides maps, informational brochures, first aid supplies, and a telephone for any emergencies. The visitors may want to leave a donation to cover the cost of the coffee, tea, and hot chocolate.

The amount of snow will determine whether you park at the entrance station parking lot of Wild Basin, which is two miles from the hut, or whether you park at the winter parking lot, which is one mile from the hut. You may need skis or snowshoes and perhaps a sled to carry your sleeping bag or bedding and your food.

The hut has wood for the wood stove, electricity, two beds (one double and one single), couch, lamp, table, four chairs, electric stove with oven, refrigerator, dishes, pots and pans, and utensils. Plastic jugs are supplied for carrying water from the river. The water must be treated or boiled. A pit toilet is not far from the hut. No pets are allowed.

The Wild Basin Warming Hut season starts with a gathering party to acquaint anyone with the hut and to prepare the cabin. The party is at the hut on the first Saturday of November each year. You can select your weekend or weekdays at that time, or call Linda Watry at (970) 593-0377 for reservations.

Linda Watry is a member of the
Shining Mountains group.