#field roast maple sausages

BIRTHDAY ADVENTURE: Mt. Baldy Ski Hut

The adventure squad headed to the mountains to brave freezing temperatures, heavy rain, ice, fog and snow for my birthday. It was splendid. We rendezvoused at Veggie Grill in Pasadena, enjoyed a delicious lunch then carpooled to the trailhead. There are no roads leading to the hut, only narrow trails heading up the mountain. We put on our packs and slowly hiked up the steep trail towards the ski hut. The fog was rolling in, sometimes encapsulating us. The rain was heavier than expected but we knew there would be a nice fire going once we arrived at the hut. At 8,300ft the altitude of the hut did have an effect on us. The hike is relatively strenuous when you carry a decent sized pack but we all made it safe and sound.  

The Ski Hut was built in 1937 and is run by the Sierra Club (R.I.P. John Muir) and staying here is like traveling back in time. Wood burning stoves heat the hut while also constantly boiling and heating large kettles of water. You can have a nice cup of coffee or tea anytime of the day which was delightful. Water from a spring is piped into the kitchen and is always flows through the hut.  

We successfully backpacked with a birthday cake again! This time my wife made a Vegan Cookies ‘N Cream Cake and it was far beyond delicious. The trick to backpacking with a birthday cake is freezing all of the components and building it on sight.

My brother and I unearthed the most recent issue of Backpacker Magazine in the hut which was from 1978. And how I love looking at pictures of all the vintage gear. I’m glad they made the gear so durable back then because I have plenty of 70’s gear in my arsenal. 

This magical place is just one hour away from downtown Los Angeles. 

While we were hiking in the Giant Sequoias there was a torrential downpour and a lightning storm. Then it hailed and snowed. We took shelter in a tent cabin and cooked up vegan cheeseburgers, Earth Balance Mac & Cheese and in the morning a deluxe breakfast with the usual nutritional yeast tofu, toast, and Field Roast Maple Breakfast Sausages.