EVANSTON — Last month, approximately 80 people trekked 2.5 miles from the Lily Lake Ski Trail system parking lot to gather at a new warming hut built by BRORA (Bear River Outdoor Recreation Alliance). From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Jan. 19, people arrived on cross country skis and on snowcats, to participate in a celebration dedicating the new warming hut in memory of local outdoorsman, forest ranger and community volunteer, the late Rick Schuler.

Among those attending the dedication of “The Schuler Shack” were Rick’s widow, Sen. Wendy Schuler; BRORA secretary Gena Caldwell; BRORA president Paco Swauger; and Dom Darling, who handles marketing for the alliance.

Schuler, a retired teacher, said that, due to her bad knees, she was driven to the event on a snowcat by a former student, Landon McGuire. She said she teared up when McGuire told her that, because of Rick’s influence and love of the outdoors he, too, had worked for the Forest Service for several years.

Sen. Schuler said the dedication was amazing and she was overwhelmed and thankful that so many people came. She said it was a beautiful sunny day and she kept thinking throughout the dedication that Rick would have loved a day like that.

“Rick would have been embarrassed by the attention, but very honored,” she said. “Rick loved Wyoming and the outdoors. He was a member of BRORA for years and helped groom the trails in the winter, maintain the yurts and made sure there was wood for the huts and the yurts.”

“There was a really good showing of people at the dedication,” Swauger said. “It was a real tribute to Rick and to all he did for the community.”

BRORA initiated plans for a new warming hut in 2022, with construction beginning in the spring of 2023. By winter of 2023, the project reached completion and the dedication ceremony was planned.

Darling said, “The entire BRORA team, alongside supportive volunteers, played integral roles in bringing the project to fruition, exemplifying the community’s collaborative spirit and dedication to enhancing local non-motorized recreation opportunities in the Uintas.”

Caldwell said The Schuler Shack was designed to be exactly like the original warming hut that offers shelter and warmth for day use. The use of the Lily Lake Ski Trail System is free to the public with the purchase of a parking pass from the United States Forest Service (USFS). The trails, warming huts and the yurts are available for year-round use in conjunction with the USFS, BRORA and the Evanston Recreation Center.

“The planning for this warming hut began while Rick Schuler was still the district ranger,” Caldwell told the Herald. “After he passed away, it only seemed natural to dedicate this newest addition to the system to his memory. BRORA is dedicated to assisting and cooperating with local, state and federal movements in promoting, developing and maintaining outdoor recreation. Rick was an advocate in this work and will be dearly missed.”