State proposes 10-year lease for Snowbird Hut site in Talkeetna Mountains

The Southcentral Regional Land Office issued a preliminary decision Tuesday to offer the American Alpine Club a 10-year lease for a shelter site in the Talkeetna Mountains.

The lease covers 0.25 acres near Snowbird Glacier, including an existing backcountry hut and outhouse. The land office is part of the Division of Mining, Land and Water. The case file is ADL 229944, within the Anchorage D-6 USGS Quadrangle. The office cited AS 38.05.810(b) through (d), which governs leases of state land for public or charitable purposes.

The Alaska Section of the club reported signing a lease agreement with the state for the site in 2008, for what it called the first hut for the American Alpine Club.

Unlike most huts along the Bomber Traverse, Snowbird requires no membership. "If you can get yourself there, you can stay for free," club lodging director Jesse Billingham said in the club's hut description.

Comment Period Ahead of Final Decision

Public notice under AS 38.05.945 comes before a final decision. State statute requires a comment period of at least 30 days.