Utah’s first hut system open for summer yurt camping

PARK CITY, Utah — Inspired Summit Adventures unveiled the Western Uinta Hut System, Utah’s first hut-to-hut adventure system, last winter. Now, the huts are available for summer yurt camping. 

According to Inspired Summit Adventures Founder Shaun Deutschlander, the hut system was purposely built near existing trail systems. 

“That really just speaks to summertime use,” Deutschlander said. “We’re using this main drainage which is Smith and Morehouse … and the Erickson drainage.” 

The two paths form a loop that is between 20 and 30 miles long. Currently, the Castle Peak Yurt sits at the top of the loop and the Smith and Morehouse Yurt sits at the bottom. As users travel between them, summer yurt camping opportunities await. 

“It’s allowing us to run these hut-to-hut summertime programs,” Deutschlander explained. “You can choose whether you want the eight-mile or 13-mile loop.” 

Yurt camping and hut-to-hut trips

Although the Western Uinta Hut System is the first of its kind here in Utah, hut-to-hut recreation has long been popular in Europe. In recent years’ popularity has expanded across the U.S.

Some huts merely offer shelter from the elements. Others, like the yurts operated by Inspired Summit Adventures, offer comfy beds and a kitchen. 

Deutschlander said Inspired Summit clients have a wide variety of options for their Utah yurt camping experience. For example, the company offers portering, where they’ll transport gear to a yurt while you’re out exploring. 

Expert or self-guided trips are two of the staple options. 

“If you wanted to rent a yurt for multiple days, but you just wanted guiding on the transfer day, we do that too. If [you] want a little hand-holding, too, because [you’ve] never done a hut-to-hut that’s got eight to 13 miles of distance, we’re here for you, too,” Deutschlander said.  

Inspired Summit Adventures prioritizing access, sustainability 

“A big point of starting this Western Uinta Hut System and what we hope to continue to evolve … is access,” Deutschlander said. 

Smith and Morehouse Reservoir, which is near the yurt that shares its name, is only a little over an hour’s drive from Salt Lake City. The proximity means that weekend adventures are accessible to many people. 

“It’s all about allowing people to see the mountains without also ruining the mountains, too.”

Deutschlander said the Uintas have become a “playground” for those living in the Salt Lake Valley and Wasatch Back. Utilizing trails that aren’t as well known helps preserve them, while decreasing some traffic on more popular trails. 

She explained that regular use helps the Forest Service maintain the trails. If they go unused, the forest wants to re-cover them. 

When people participate in Inspired Summit Adventures’ trips, they’ll be mentored in caring for the environment while they recreate. 

Deutschlander explained that her company’s guides work to raise awareness of the environment in which they’re leading a journey. Throughout each adventure, they practice Leave No Trace principles. 

The ideas were established by the nonprofit organization Leave No Trace. They’re meant to promote outdoor conservation by: 

• planning ahead, 
• travelling on sturdy surfaces, 
• properly disposing of waste, 
• leaving the area as you find it, 
• minimizing the impacts of campfires, 
• respecting wildlife, and 
• being kind to others. 

“Whether you’re renting or whether you’re going to be guided by us, we’re going to go through an orientation … we’re going to talk about our Leave No Trace toilet system, how you can take care of all your trash while you’re up there, [and] the expectations of how you pack everything out,” Deutschlander said.

“I think [the] power of the mountains is they allow us to become very present and very aware of our scale in the big picture.”