Self Guided Hut Trips in Rock Creek Canyon

Rock Creek Lodge offers the Mosquito Flat Hut for self-guided backcountry adventurers. Our hut, located at the Mosquito Flat trailhead, near the boundary of the John Muir Wilderness offers more comfort than snow camping as well as an excellent base to explore the upper canyon. For your safety at least one member of each party must be knowledgeable in avalanche hazard awareness, first aid and backcountry navigation to lead the group in all conditions. Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed to stay in the backcountry hut.

What to Bring

Hut users supply their own food, sleeping bags and padding. A coleman 2 burner stove, tableware, lantern, wood burning stove, cooking equipment and cots for up to 6 people are stocked in the hut. There is a wood burning stove for heat and wood is provided. Your sleeping bag should be conservatively rated to -5 F. Be sure that you have adequate clothing for the rigors of mid-winter travel. We recommend internal frame packs and the total weight of your pack should not exceed 1/5 of your body weight. You must have the topo maps or GPS of the area (Mt. Abbott & Mt. Morgan 7.5 minute maps) as well as a compass and first aid kit and the knowledge of how to use them for your own safety. A snow shovel, avalanche beacon, probe and headlamp or flashlight is mandatory for each member of your party.

Reservations

The Hut is reserved on a first-come first-served basis for a minimum of two people. Weekends fill up early, especially for the spring season. The hut rents for $ 35.00 per person per night. Reservations are made by calling or Emailing Rock Creek Lodge and are confirmed with a deposit of $ 35.00 per person within 7 days of making your reservation. The hut will be reserved exclusively for your party during your stay. You must check in at the Lodge and sign release forms prior to traveling to the hut. We reserve the right to refuse the use of the hut due to lack of experience or inadequate equiptment within the party based upon our judgement. If this occurs your deposit will be refunded.

If you must cancel your reservation, we require a 14 day notice and you will be charged a $ 20.00 handling fee. If you cancel with the 14 days prior to your arrival date you will forfeit your deposit. If you must change your reservation you will be charged a $ 10.00 reservation change fee. The balance of your reservation is due upon checking in at the lodge. We will not refund due to roads, weather, snow conditions, or early departure. You are responsible for your entire reservation.

Your Arrival

It is crucial that your party allows enough time to reach the hut safely. Remember, you may be unaccustomed to skiing with a pack at 10,000 feet and will need to acclimatize and stay hydrated. Don’t push yourself! We recommend that you leave the Snow Park at East Fork no later than noon when heading up to the hut. It is a 2 mile ski to the lodge and another 3 miles to the hut. Snowmobile rides are available to the Lodge, only with a reservation and only leaving the Snow Park at 10am. You must reserve the ride in advance and confirm the reservation on the day of your arrival by calling at 9am.

Snow Park Permits

The East Fork parking area is a California Sno-Park site. Permits are required for every car at the site. The permits are available on-site on a daily basis or you may purchase an annual permit from the US Forest Service in Bishop, 8am to 4 pm weekdays. Permits are $ 5.00 per day, or $ 25.00 annually. If you plan to purchase on-site at the Snow Park, please have the exact amount or a personal check ready. You will need a permit valid for each day your car is parked.

Check in Procedures

When you check in at the Lodge, a staff member will supply you with a trail map and hut use sheet. Release of liability forms are required and to be filled out at this time. You can expect to spend about 1/2 hour at check in.

Bon Voyage

We find most hut users have a wonderfully trouble-free time of it. However, the rugged Eastern Sierra does at time present severe conditions that require the equipment and experience we are requiring of our guests. We thank you for your cooperation and wish you a pleasant stay in the backcountry of Rock Creek Canyon.