Glad you're getting out. I've just been taking my usual evening walk while I wait for some snow so I can break out my X-C skis. Unfortunately, Ostrander ski hut in the Yosemite backcountry, where I've spent several days over X-mas or more recently just after New Year's almost every year since 1980, won't be open this season due to Covid, not that there's any decent snow right now. Here's some photos (not mine), anyway:
https://images.app.goo.gl/F3gaovyC7s8nuMkQ6
The view out the front door:
https://images.app.goo.gl/uX2iN54Guva2PGvcA
Last but not least, my friend Howard's book detailing the hut's history etc. He's been the hutmaster every winter since 1974:
https://images.app.goo.gl/tUhV9hjWbpioW7ai6
Note for those who might be interested in going for future years: depending on the route you take it's a 9 to 11 mile ski or snowshoe to get there, and you have to carry all your gear and food. The hut webpage:
https://yosemite.org/experience/ostrander-ski-hut/
normally has more details, but the reservations lottery page, prices ($55 person/night last year; it was $2 person/night in 1980), route descriptions, equipment lists, calendar etc. have been disabled for now owing to the closure, so here's an article from the S.F. Chronicle from 2008 that conveys much of the flavor of the trip and the place:
https://www-sfgate-com.cdn.ampproject.o ... 229654.php