Marriott Basin Trail to Wendy Thompson Hut

Route Description for Marriott Basin Trail to Wendy Thompson Hut

The Marriott Basin Trail to Wendy Thompson Hut is a difficult hiking route near Pemberton that will test your route finding abilities and endurance. The initial stages of the hike are easy enough to follow, but beyond the hut, there are numerous boulder fields that are technical and physically demanding. If you plan on hiking past the hut and up to the ridge, remember to bring a GPS to help with navigation. Additionally, the road up to the trailhead is fairly rough, requiring a high clearance vehicle to make it the entire way. As such, this route guide will begin at the parking area next to the highway to describe the entire route.

Although the upper portions of this route are a bit technical, overall, the trail is an enjoyable hike in Pemberton’s backcountry. The trail sets out from the highway and climbs uphill through the lush forest until you break through the tree cover and enter the scenic alpine landscape. Making your way past a pristine lake, you’ll arrive at the Wendy Thompson Hut, which serves as an excellent jumping-off point for several outdoor activities and trails in the area but requires a reservation. From here, you’ll work your way through the boulder fields and upon a ridgeline for some phenomenal panoramic views of numerous mountains, including Mount Marriott to the north and Cayoosh Mountain to the southwest. A trip to the Wendy Thompson Hut should be front of mind for anyone adventuring in the Pemberton area.

Setting out to the north, follow the trail until you reach a junction with the Cayoosh Creek forest service road (FSR). Follow the road north as it cuts through the forest to an upper parking area. If you have a high clearance vehicle, you can ignore this initial stage and set out on the trail from the upper parking lot.

Continue along the trail in a northeast direction as it crosses over several creeks. There will be a junction branching off to the right that leads to Rohr Lake. Keep left and continue straight to climb through the forest. Eventually, you will break through the dense tree cover and enter into some lovely alpine terrain. Follow along the trail as it skirts the southern shore of the lake and traverses a technical stretch of boulder fields.

Hikers will soon reach the Wendy Thompson Hut to the northwest of the lake. This is a great shelter if you’re looking to explore the area over a few days, but it does require a reservation, so keep that in mind and plan ahead.

From the hut, you’ll follow the route to the west as you traverse a technical stretch of trail littered with boulders. Keep an eye on your GPS and continue uphill through the rocky terrain until you reach the top of the ridge. From this stunning vantage point, you’ll have spectacular views looking out over the surrounding area, with a multitude of rugged peaks in every direction. To the north, you will see Mount Marriott, which can be accessed by continuing along the ridgeline; to the southwest is Cayoosh Mountain; and to the east, you will find numerous alpine lakes, as well as Mount Rohr.

After taking in the breathtaking views, head down the same trail and carefully traverse the boulder fields to either stay the night at the hut or return to the parking area, having completed your journey along the Marriott Basin Trail to Wendy Thompson Hut.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to reserve Wendy Thompson Hut?

Staying in the hut costs $15/night for members and $20/night for non-members.

How many spaces are available in the Wendy Thompson Hut?

There are 16 reservable spaces in the hut and 4 that are held for custodians.

Insider Hints for Marriott Basin Trail to Wendy Thompson Hut

• Park next to the highway to avoid scraping your car along the rough road to the trailhead.
• If you have a high clearance vehicle, you can easily drive up to the upper parking lot and shave 2.0 km off your hike.
• Bring hiking poles or microspikes to help traverse the boulder fields.
• Stay the night at Wendy Thompson Hut as a great jumping-off point for other activities in the area.