About This Route
The 12-mile round-trip to Ostrander Lake Ski Hut from Badger Pass traverses forested ridges to 8,500-foot alpine lake, a Yosemite Wilderness classic for advanced backcountry skiers. Follow NPS-marked trail via Bridalveil Creek, gaining 1,800 feet with open bowls prone to slides. Reserve the heated hut via recreation.gov; self-supported tours demand AIARE Level 2 skills. Snowpack peaks March per NPS reports; avoid cornices along Ostrander Rocks. This guide draws from Yosemite SAR incident reviews and REI backcountry checklists to prevent tragedies like 2017 multi-skier burials.
Safety Considerations
Avalanche danger high in chutes; perform stability tests like compression per NWAC protocols. Routefinding obscured by corn snow; use altimeter and 1:24,000 USGS quad. Hypothermia compounds with wet slab avalanches; layer religiously. Hut capacity limited; solo travel prohibited by NPS. Thunderstorms build rapidly; descend by noon. Bear activity peaks; use Ursack for food.
Essential Gear
AT skis with Dynafit bindings, Black Diamond Guide avalanche kit, Jetboil stove, Western Mountaineering Versalite bag, GPS with preloaded GPX track, ice axe for bootpack, and group emergency shelter like SOL bivy.