PARK CITY, Utah — Inspired Summit Adventures has expanded its offerings with the unveiling of the Western Uinta Hut System, Utah’s inaugural hut-to-hut adventure initiative, which launched last winter. As summer approaches, the company is excited to announce that the huts are open for summer yurt camping, providing a unique wilderness experience.
According to Founder Shaun Deutschlander, the system was designed with proximity to existing trail systems in mind, ensuring easy access for summertime activities. “That really just speaks to summertime use,” Deutschlander stated, referencing the main drainages, Smith and Morehouse and Erickson, that form a scenic loop ranging from 20 to 30 miles.
The Western Uinta Hut System features two primary yurts: the Castle Peak Yurt located at the top of the loop and the Smith and Morehouse Yurt at its base. These yurts offer summer yurt camping opportunities for adventurers traveling between them, allowing for varying experiences with options for both an eight-mile or a more challenging 13-mile loop.
Hut-to-hut recreation is already popular in Europe, and this concept is gaining traction in the U.S. While some huts serve as simple shelters, Germany’s yurts provide comfortable lodging with amenities including beds and a kitchen for a cozy camping experience.
Inspired Summit Adventures caters to a diverse clientele, offering various yurt camping options to accommodate different adventure styles. One unique service they provide is portering, where they transport camping gear to a yurt while participants enjoy exploration along the trails.
Adventures range from expert-guided experiences to self-guided trips, with flexibility for those seeking assistance. “If you wanted to rent a yurt for multiple days, but you just wanted guiding on the transfer day, we do that too,” Deutschlander explained. For those new to hut-to-hut trips, support is readily available.
A key focus for Inspired Summit Adventures is ensuring accessibility and sustainability in their operations. The Smith and Morehouse Reservoir, located just over an hour’s drive from Salt Lake City, makes it easy for residents to embark on weekend adventures in the great outdoors.
Deutschlander emphasized the importance of allowing people to enjoy the beauty of the mountains while minimizing their impact. The Western Uinta Hut System utilizes lesser-known trails to help preserve popular hiking spots and alleviate overcrowding, contributing to the overall health of the local ecosystem.
Regular use of these trails supports the Forest Service’s maintenance efforts, as unused trails often risk becoming overgrown. Participants in the hut-to-hut trips are educated on environmental stewardship, ensuring that outdoor recreation is paired with responsible practices.
Guides from Inspired Summit Adventures prioritize environmental awareness during excursions, with each trip incorporating principles from the Leave No Trace initiative. This nonprofit organization promotes outdoor conservation through several key practices:
– Planning ahead
– Traveling on sturdy surfaces
– Properly disposing of waste
– Leaving the area as you found it
– Minimizing campfire impacts
– Respecting wildlife
– Being courteous to fellow outdoor enthusiasts.
At the beginning of each adventure, clients receive an orientation covering important topics, including the Leave No Trace toilet system and waste management, ensuring a responsible and enjoyable experience in Utah’s wilderness.
In closing, Deutschlander remarked, “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,” underscoring the transformative experience that the hut-to-hut adventure system aims to provide for all who visit.
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