Pear Lake Winter Hut

Road and Safety Information
For current Weather and Road Conditions in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, call (559) 565-3341, and press 1.

Please keep in mind that conditions are always changing. We recommend that you visit the National Park Service website for current conditions.

Important Reminders for Registered Hut Visitors:

• Be aware that the Generals Highway between Grant Grove (Kings Canyon) and Lodgepole (Sequoia) is not a reliable winter road. Check road conditions before you embark on your journey.
• You must have a wilderness permit. Permits are free and can be filled out at Giant Forest Museum at any time. The registration box is outside the museum, just to the south of the front doors.
• When considering any adventure, plan for the safety of the least experienced person in your group.
• When in doubt, don’t go out! Let’s have a safe season everyone!

You are responsible for your safety.

Natural areas present hazards. Cold temperatures, icy or uneven ground, wild animals, biting insects, and changing weather conditions all pose dangers. Rocks roll, trees topple, and limbs drop without warning. People create other hazards with campfires, traffic, snow play, and poor decisions.

Understanding and preparing for the risks is a critical part of every trip to a National Park; visit www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/safety to learn more.

WILDERNESS PERMITS
Wilderness permits are required year-round for all overnight trips in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks’ wilderness, including the Pear Lake Winter Hut. For your own safety, you are required to fill out a free wilderness permit at the Giant Forest Museum (self-service kiosk open 24 hours) so that your travel plans are submitted to the National Park Service.

SAFETY STATEMENT & AVALANCHE RISK
The trip to the hut is for experienced backcountry skiers and snowshoers only. It should not be attempted by beginner skiers or snowshoers. The trail is steep and includes a 2,000-foot elevation gain in six miles. A fun outing with good snow conditions can easily turn into an eight or more hour ordeal with poor weather or bad snow. Low clouds and whiteouts are common, which can make following the trail very difficult. Not everyone makes it to the hut as planned. We recommend starting out on the trail as early as possible. It is essential that survival equipment be taken. For your safety, it is advised that you review the “what to bring” checklist provided and be prepared for your trip. All equipment should be in excellent condition, and all winter backcountry users should be familiar with proper avalanche techniques. Avalanche conditions exist at all times on the trail to Pear Lake. Users are ultimately responsible for assessing the dangers and determining if they should proceed on their trip or cancel it. Hut visitors travel to the hut and use the facility at their own risk. A refund will not be issued because of a winter storm.

Please review the cancellation policy if needed.

For more information on avalanche safety, please visit:
www.avalanche.org/avalanche-education/
www.weather.gov/safety/winter-avalanche

HANTAVIRUS
Regarding the potential for exposure to Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) at Pear Lake Winter Hut: Mice are native rodents in the Sierra, including the Pear Lake wilderness and Pear Lake Winter Hut. The Pear Lake Winter Hut will be cleaned according to Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines prior to opening for the season. The Sequoia Parks Conservancy will set traps and continue to use CDC cleaning procedures when rodents or rodent droppings are detected. However, the Sequoia Parks Conservancy cannot guarantee that the hut is HPS-free. Hut users are advised of the risks, and those wishing not to be exposed to the potential of HPS may choose not to register for the Winter Hut.

For more information on hantavirus safety, please visit:
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/HantavirusPulmonarySyndrome.aspx
https://www.cdc.gov/hantavirus/index.html

EARLY DEPARTURE*
*Emergency situations only. For your own safety, it is not advised to depart from or arrive at the hut on any days that are not your designated ski-in or ski-out days. We know unforeseen circumstances may require you to depart the Wolverton parking area before the road has been plowed. In this rare situation, you must use the guidelines that are provided to you when you complete your reservation.
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By submitting a reservation form for the Pear Lake Winter Hut, you acknowledge and agree to the terms of the liability waiver.

There are NO REFUNDS or date changes. Refunds can only be given if the Generals Highway has been closed or the National Park Service has issued an official trail closure or advisory of no backcountry travel on your reserved ski-­in day.