The Frog Lake Backcountry Huts project, led by the Truckee Donner Land Trust, exemplifies a harmonious balance between conservation, recreation, and sustainability in the northern Sierra Nevada. Acquired in 2020 through a partnership with The Nature Conservancy and the Trust for Public Land, the nearly 3,000-acre property encompassing Frog Lake, Red Mountain, and Carpenter Ridge preserves critical watersheds and wildlife habitats while granting public access to these once-private lands. Plan North Engineers contributed to this transformative project by providing structural engineering solutions that ensured the safety and resilience of the backcountry huts and the renovated Eschenbach Backcountry House. Our work supported the project’s mission of promoting sustainable recreation and environmental stewardship by designing for the region’s demanding alpine conditions.

The project features three sleeping huts—Ted R’s Hut, the Albert M. Rockwood Hut, and the Morgan Family Foundation Hut—and the historic Eschenbach Backcountry House, now repurposed as a communal gathering space. Each hut accommodates groups of 2 to 8 and includes modern amenities such as gas stoves, LED lighting, and drying racks for gear, making year-round backcountry stays accessible and comfortable. Originally built in the 1930s from local granite, the Eschenbach Backcountry House has been meticulously renovated to serve as a central hub for guests. It features a commercial-grade kitchen, a fireplace, and inviting areas for socializing, creating a welcoming space for recreation and connection.

Situated near Donner Summit, an area receiving over 400 inches of snowfall annually, Plan North Engineers addressed the region’s substantial snow loads through specialized structural designs, ensuring the huts and communal spaces remain safe and durable. The successful execution of this project reflects Plan North Engineers' commitment to providing innovative and dependable structural solutions tailored to unique projects like this one.

Images courtesy of Blackbird Guides & Truckee Donner Land Trust.
For more information about the huts, check out Outside Magazine and Adventure Sports Journal, and this video by Fly Low.