Backpacker

BACKPACKER.COM 59PADDLE TO PARADISEBEAVER ISLAND SHELTERISLE ROYALE NATIONAL PARK, MICHIGAN``````The evergreen-framed vantage over Lake Superior’ssteely bay from this small shelter would put mostany tentdoor view to shame. The first-come, first-serve hut (sleeps six) is situated on small BeaverIsland in Washington Harbor—meaning you needto kayak roughly .5 mile from the Windigo RangerStation to get there. Rent a canoe from the WindigoStore (starting at $23) to secure paradise.``````Trailhead Windigo Season June through SeptemberAmenities Wooden platform (bring a pad) Reserva-tion Free; first-come, first-serve Contact nps.gov/isroSix MoreDream HomesAlps, schmalps. There areenough backcountry huts to goaround stateside.LeConte LodgeGreat Smoky Mountains NationalPark, TNThe more refined among us willappreciate this B&B-style inn on6,593-foot Mt. LeConte. Contactlecontelodge.comGlen Ellen LodgeGreen Mountain National Forest, VTYou won’t find better access tothe 272-mile Long Trail—andyou’ll be hard-pressed to findanother four-sided shelter.Contact greenmountainclub.orgSan Antonio Ski HutAngeles National Forest, CAStage ski tours or hikes on theslopes of Mt. Baldy. Contactangeles.sierraclub.orgPark Butte LookoutMt. Baker Wilderness, WAFloat above the Cascades inthis old fire tower off the PacificNorthwest Trail. Contactskagitalpineclub.comWallowa Alpine HutsEagle Cap Wilderness, ORThese winter shelters will con-vert even the most cold-averseamong us into full-blownpowder snobs. Contactwallowahuts.comTall Pines YurtBoundary Waters Canoe AreaWilderness, MNSecure lakeside real estate in agrove of white pines, then restsore muscles in a private sauna.Contact boundarycountry.comBAG PEAKS FROM A COZY SHELTERCAMP PEGGY O’BRIENADIRONDACKS PARK, NEW YORK``````It’s not cheating; it’s strategy. Instead of tackling the 25-mile Great Range Trail in itsentirety (roughly 10,000 feet of gain), cherr y-pick the best parts of the famous traversefrom Camp Peggy O’Brien. Your knees will appreciate the change of pace, and we betyou’ll eat a lot better, too.Situated inside the “V” of the Great Range Trail, Camp Peggy O’Brien is best accessedon a 3.5-mile trip along the Johns Brook Trail. At the 12-person shelter, peakbagging isthe name of the game. Head south from the hut to tackle the Gothics, where 3.8 miles ofrelatively easy climbing land you atop the 4,734-foot summit for spin-around vistas. Or,nab the state’s high point by continuing southwest on the Johns Brook Trail to 5,344-footMt. Marcy, roughly 4.7 miles away. You can also link both peaks together into a 13.3-mileloop door-to-door. Back at Camp Peggy O’Brien, survey your handiwork from—fittingly—Adirondack chairs on the front porch.``````Trailhead The Garden Season Ye a r- r o u n d Amenities Bunks with mattresses; two-burner stove (propane provided); cookware Reservation Starting at $60/night; reserveonline Contact adk.org``````The Northern Lightspinch-hit for electricityat this WashingtonHarbor shelter.``````Scan across Johns BrookValley to see the highestpeaks in the Catskills.