Robbs Hut
Robbs Hut offers a peaceful, rustic getaway with phenomenal views of the Sierra Nevada. The cozy, yet minimalistic cabin is open year-round and can be accessed by car in warmer months. From November to mid-June, guests can expect to hike, snowshoe or ski up a 3-mile trail with a 1,000-foot elevation gain to reach the hut. This trail runs along Robbs Road from Ice House Road.
Originally a sleeping quarters for rangers of the adjacent Forest Service lookout from 1934 to 1978, the hut makes an ideal recreation spot with mountain biking and off-road vehicle trails nearby. The lookout is open to the public for day use.
The hut is equipped with a propane heater and a cookstove. The cookstove is served by piped-in propane, and there is a newly installed solar lighting system. Other amenities include three sleeping platforms (3/4 inch width), mattresses, four wool blankets, a shovel, bucket and cleaning supplies. Outside on the stone deck by the lookout are a charcoal grill, campfire ring, picnic table and vault toilet building.
No water, electricity or garbage service are available. Guests must bring their own supply of water and garbage bags. Additional items to bring include food, cooking utensils and pots, sleeping bags, toilet paper, first aid supplies, matches and a flashlight. Click here for more cabin details.
Notifications and Alerts
The right side of the upper gate to the Hut is broken and remains in the open position. A chain with the renter combo lock currently secures the broken side of the gate to the left side of the gate that swings open. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CLOSE THE BROKEN SIDE OF THE GATE.
FIRE RESTRICTIONS IN EFFECT PER FOREST ORDER- NO CAMPFIRES OR CHARCOAL BBQs- PROPANE GAS STOVES ALLOWED.
Need to Know
Check in procedures have changed. As of January 1, 2022. All check-in information will be emailed from sm.fs.rentalcabins@usda.gov to the email the renter has listed in their Recreation.gov account prior to their check-in date. Renters should check both the inbox and the spam/junk mail folders prior to travelling to the cabin. In the event the renter does not see the email, they should contact the Eldorado National Forest at (530) 644-2324 during business hours. This will ensure that staff have the correct email address to resend the rental packet, which includes combinations for gate/cabin.
To provide an enjoyable and memorable experience to all visitors, a stay limit of nights per calendar year is now in effect. Use of any Eldorado National Forest cabin is limited to 6 nights per facility and a cumulative of 12 nights in all Eldorado National Forest recreation rental facilities per calendar year. This time limit includes any combination of stays in Harvey West Cabin, Loon Lake Chalet, Robbs Hut, Sly Guard Cabin and Van Vleck Bunkhouse.
GATES - The road is three (3) miles long from Ice House Road to Robbs Hut. The upper gate is approximately a ½ mile from the hut and remains locked year-round. Renters will be given a combination to open the lock on this gate and the hut. The lower gate, located approximately 100 feet from Ice House Road, is LOCKED in the winter (generally, November - April) to protect the road and ski trail. In the winter, primary access to the hut is by skiing, snowshoeing or hiking.
- No pets allowed in building
- Winter access is not guaranteed as weather is unpredictable
- Bring water
- This is a 'pack it in, pack it out' facility; please bring garbage bags
- The nearest phone is 13 miles southwest at the Crystal Basin Info Station
- Bears frequent the area; keep all food out of sight in approved containers or locked inside your vehicle and remove all food from area after eating
- For current weather conditions and fire restriction status, click here
- Don't Move Firewood: Protect California's forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. For more information visit firewood.ca.gov.
Natural Features
Perched atop Robbs Peak at an elevation of 6,686 feet, the hut boasts panoramic views of the Crystal Range in the Desolation Wilderness and the Sacramento Valley. The peak is part of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Eldorado National Forest and sits in a clearing surrounded by Jeffrey and Ponderosa pine.
Nearby Attractions
The nearest phone a pay phone at the Crystal Basin Information Station on Ice House Road, 13 miles southwest of the hut. This station is open in summer only.
Recreation
Mountain biking, hiking and cross country skiing are popular activities for visitors. Access by skis to the cabin is recommended for intermediate to advanced skiers.
Contact Information
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ELDORADO NATIONAL FOREST PLACERVILLE RANGER DISTRICT 4260 EIGHT MILE ROAD CAMINO CA 95709
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 530-644-2324
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
From Placerville, drive 21 miles east on Highway 50, turn left on Ice House Road and go 23 miles north to the Robbs Hut Road turnoff. Look for small sign and turn left on dirt road. In winter, park here and ski or hike 3 miles along the road to the hut. In summer, use combination to access both gates and drive up. Follow blue arrows to the hut.
