The Broome Hut is located one mile west of Highway 40 along the Second Creek Trail. This newly renovated hut in the 10th Mountain Division Hut System provides easy backcountry ski access to Second Creek Basin, which receives 500" of snow per year. Hikers can continue over the basin across massive tundra flats to the Mount Nystrom Trail in the Vasquez Peak Wilderness.

View of Second Creek Basin from the Broome Hut deck (11,350')

Edward Berthoud named Vasquez Peak (12,947'), the highest peak in the wilderness

The reds in bistort stems are more pronounced in late summer as chlorophyll production slows

Looking northeast on the descent back to Broome Hut

Adult male and female ptarmigan look similar; males can be distinguished by prominent red brow combs in the breeding season

The Broome Hut has also been called the A Frame and Gwen Andrews Hut during its 40+ year history

Tundra flats above the Broome Hut level out just below 12,000'

The Second Creek Basin bowls receive about 500" of snow per year

The Second Creek Trail continues half a mile past the Broome Hut to the base of this saddle, where it abruptly fades and x-country travel begins

The entire Vasquez Peak Wilderness Area stands above 10,000'

Perennial snow fields feed Second Creek throughout the summer

Regaining the designated trail can be a challenge amid sprawling acres of willow