Peter Estin Hut to Harry Gates Hut

The Peter Estin Hut looks out onto a wide open field that slopes downward in what must be a great winter downhill skiing section. At the advice of a 10th Mountain team member, we headed straight down this field until encountering the more frequently used horse trail that joined from higher up. Lots of places to twist an ankle or create a foot-trap, but beautiful views all around.After regaining a clear trail, we wound through opens fields and forest before popping out into the clear at Woods Lake. Here we joined the Forest Service road for a while following the GPS track at the junctions. A relatively mild uphill climb leads you to the parking area for the hut, and at 0.25 miles along, the structure appears.