I have bootlegged near huts, while following LNT guidelines. We ended up perching on the side of a hill, wedged between trees to keep from rolling downwards. It wasn't the best night's sleep I had, but in the morning we did the .25 miles back and scored the breakfast leftovers, pooped, and then headed onwards.

Sometimes there's no work for stay. What I'd like to see is a thruhiker permit system with designated campsites right next to the hut. You control the impact, but can overflow hikers, and don't necessarily require hikers to "enjoy" the croo atmosphere, which we all found sickening after the first 30 minutes at the first hut we stayed at.

Also, in the whites your legs are long, so you have the opportunity to do long days if it means hitting a proper campsite.