Vance's Cabin is located on a timbered mountainside near Tennessee Pass at 10,980' about 10 miles north of the town of Leadville, and about 4 miles north of Ski Cooper ski area. Construction of the cabin began in 1981 and was completed in 1988. The hut is named in honor of one of the original owner's father Vance Faulkenberg, who was involved in building the cabin using timber from the site.
Uncle Bud's Hut, owned by 10th Mountain, is similar in aspect and construction to the 10th Mountain Division Hut. Views from the south window-wall include a panorama of 14,421-foot Mount Massive and the bare pate of Bald Eagle Mountain. The hut was built as a memorial to 10th Mountain Division veteran Bud Winter (1925-1945), who was killed in action in Italy during World War II, and was one of 33 soldiers who completed the legendary "trooper traverse" winter ski crossing from Leadville to Aspen in February of 1944. Funds for the hut were given by Bud's brother, Dr. Fred Winter. His sister Laura contributed the proceeds from her poetry book Laura's Lines.
This hut, combined with the Skinner Hut and BettyBear Hut, allows travel over Hagerman Pass to the Frying Pan drainage, thus forming a huge loop that strong skiers can enjoy. Uncle Bud's Hut is is another of 10th Mountain's more alpine hostels. It sits just under the Continental Divide, about 10 miles northwest of the town of Leadville, in central Colorado at 11,380'. Uncle Bud's Hut is very accessible from Leadville via a moderate trailhead-to-hut route from Turquoise Lake. Use this route to reach the hut quickly, then spend a few days base skiing. Or if you're learning backcountry skiing, use this route as a step on your ladder of learning.
Owned by 10th Mountain, Skinner Hut breaks from common design by having only one story. The Continental Divide is close by, as are plenty of other options for high routes and ski descents. Perched at timberline on the east side of Hagerman Pass near the town of Leadville, Skinner Hut is the second highest 10th Mountain hut at 11,620'. A superb view from the hut's east windows includes the 14,036-foot summit of Mount Sherman in the Mosquito Mountains east of Leadville. Skinner Hut is named in honor of William Wood Skinner, 10th Mountain Division veteran. Funding was donated by Skinner's sister Elizabeth Guenzel, with construction completed in 1990.
Shrine Mountain Inn huts and cabins are good for novice backcountry skiers.
Shrine Mountain Inn consists of three separate cabins (Jay's, Chuck's, Walter's) that sleep a total of 36 people. A shared sauna is located between Chuck's and Jay's, and propane grills are provided at each cabin. Shrine Mountain Inn is privately owned and booked through 10th Mountain. Located far enough from paved roads to keep a backcountry mood at 11,209', the cabins of Shrine Mountain Inn are perhaps the least difficult 10th Mountain "ski in" huts to access. An ideal first hut trip, these cabins are 2.7 miles from Interstate Highway 70, Vail Pass Trailhead.
Continue reading "SHRINE MOUNTAIN INN: Jay's, Chuck's & Walter's cabins" »
Carl's cabin is one of the more intimate huts. Carl's is a small cabin located near Polar Star Inn (see menu above). It is under the same ownership as Polar Star, but booked separately. The cabin was built in 1993. This information is the same as the Polar Star, except closed in summer.
Capacity: 2 private rooms with double beds, 2 single day beds in the main room. Capacity 6 (all 6 spots must be booked by the same party).
For more information on the Hut System go to www.huts.org
Polar Star Inn is a privately owned backcountry lodge, booked by 10th Mountain. (Another nearby structure, Carl's Cabin, is part of Polar Star but booked separately). Both sit just below timberline on the west side of New York Mountain at 11,040', in central Colorado. Polar Star Inn is a tall-standing structure with a big deck that looks west over the Colorado Plateau: a sunset watcher's paradise. There are five private bedrooms and running water (summer only) that makes kitchen work a snap. The Inn was built in 1987.
Built in 1982, McNamara hut was one of the original two huts in the 10th Mountain system (the other is Margy's, built during the same summer). The hut is a memorial to Margy McNamara (as Margy's Hut is as well). Funds to build the hut were donated by Margy's husband Robert, who served as secretary of defense. The hut is owned by 10th Mountain and is only open during the winter season due to a nearby elk herd. Located in Burnt Hole at 10,360' deep in the forest on the north side of Bald Knob (11,092 feet), the McNamara Hut has a cozy secluded feeling that lends itself to sipping tea by the wood burner or exploring the nearby forest. You'll find good intermediate ski touring on Bald Knob, and experts can strike out on long tours east towards the Continental Divide.
Built in 1982, Margy's Hut (along with the McNamara Hut) was one of the first two huts in the 10th Mountain system. The building of these two huts represented a major step for the fledgling organization, which had to promise the Forest Service that the huts would be razed if they were not used. Hut construction was funded by Robert McNamara (former secretary of defense) and friends, in memorial to Robert's wife Margy. Margy's Hut is located on a lightly treed hillside just below timberline, about 10 miles northeast of the city of Aspen, Colorado. The hut has beautiful views of the Elk Mountains to the south and sits at 11,300'.
Located near timberline in an area used by 10th Mountain troops during their World War II training in the 1940s at Camp Hale, Jackal Hut is the eastern most hut owned by 10th Mountain Divison Hut Association. It is located in central Colorado, on the western slope of the Continental Divide about 15 miles north of the city of Leadville and sits at 11,660'. Jackal Hut has good nearby skiing and terrific views of several stunning 14,000-foot peaks. The hut was built with money donated by Jack Schuss and Al Zesiger, two strong supporters of 10th Mountain (the name is an eponymous combo of Jack-Al).
Built in 1986, Harry Gates Hut was the fourth structure added to the 10th Mountain system. It is located in the Sawatch Mountain foothills of central Colorado at 9,700', about 15 miles northeast of Aspen, and about 17 miles south of Interstate Highway 70. Nearby peaks rise above 12,000 feet.It is the largest of the 10th Mountain owned huts, with two floors that can sleeps 16. Gates Hut windows look out on sunsets and spectacular Avalanche Ridge. The hut was built with funds from the Gates Foundation in memorial to the late Harry F. Gates, who was an outdoorsman with deep love for the mountains.
Sited at timberline about one-half mile northeast of Resolution Mountain at 11,500', Fowler-Hilliard has incredible views and acres of gladed ski terrain. Fowler-Hilliard Hut is located in a group of high mountains about 6 miles west of Vail Pass. The hut was built in 1988 with funds from over 260 people and businesses. It is a memorial to Ann Fowler and Ed Hilliard, climbers who died in an accident on North Maroon Peak near Aspen.
The rugged peaks of Colorado's Gore Range backdrop the Eiseman Hut at 11,180', 10th Mountain's most alpine hostel. located north of Interstate Highway 70, about 7 miles north of Vail resort. Indeed, terrain rules this amazing location: out of the hut door is arguably the best sking of any 10th hut, and farther afield, tall Colorado alps entice with glistening faces and snow filled couloirs. On top of that, the hut boasts a stunning and unique view of the Vail resort ski slopes.
Betty Bear Hut is located in central Colorado, between the cities of Leadville and Aspen, on the western slope of the Continental Divide near Hagerman Pass. Betty Bear Hut is a terrific destination for intermediate backcountry skiers, although the steep section from Road 505 to the hut can be challenging for skiers with less than strong intermediate skiing skills on the ascent and descent. THis hut sits at 11,100' and the trail may not be accessible in April due to snow plowing. It's located near the Continental Divide, surrounded by a variety of terrain, and accessed via a long, snow-covered road that's a beautiful run on light touring equipment (albeit with the aforementioned short, steeper climb as the final test before reaching the hut).
Fritz Benedict hut is More aesthetic and inviting than Fabi's Hut nextdoor. Tucked into the wilderness about 5 miles southeast of Aspen at 10,970 feet, the Benedict Huts are two beautifully crafted cabins built in 1997. The Benedict Huts form a pleasing link between the McNamara Hut and Aspen, as well as providing access to a vast area of virtually untouched winter wilderness to the east of the huts.
Nestled at timberline, a few miles east of the majestic peaks of the Colorado Continental Divide, at elevation: 11,370'. The 10th Mountain Division Hut forms a perfect destination for a single hut trip or ski-through using other nearby huts. In summer, dozens of hiking and cycling routes start or end just outside the doorfrom or to Leadville. Completed during the summer of 1989, the hut was built in honor of the 10th Mountain Division of the U.S. Army, using funds donated by 10th Mountain Division Veterans Bill Boddington, Col. Pete Peterson, Maury Kuper, and Bill Bowerman.
Built in 1985, Peter Estin Hut was the third publicly funded hut added to the 10th Mountain system. Funds were donated by the Estin family in memory of Peter Estin. If you have used other "standard" 10th Mountain huts, the Peter Estin will look familiar. It stands two stories high with a commodious deck jutting from the front door. Plenty of glass faces the south views.
Hut Elevation: 11,200'
Layout and capacity: 4 single beds downstairs, 2 private bedrooms upstairs with one double bed each, plus 8 beds in a communal sleeping area upstairs. Capacity 16.
Hut Location: Peter Estin Hut is located in a clearing on a timbered saddle just northwest of Charles Peak (12,050 feet), with a clear view of the Elk and Williams mountains to the south. Centered in a vast forested area, the hut provides access to myriad trails, dirt roads, and one alpine ridge.
10th Mountain manages a system of 29 backcountry huts in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, connected by 350 miles of suggested routes.
We provide a unique opportunity for backcountry skiing, mountain biking, or hiking while staying in safe, comfortable shelter.
10th Mountain takes reservations for a great variety huts, ranging from cabins located within a few miles of a trailhead, to backcountry shelters that are many miles from any other signs of civilization.
Our name honors the men of 10th Mountain Division of the U.S. Army, who trained during World War II at Camp Hale in central Colorado. Hut visitors share the special spirit of these individuals, especially their pursuit of excellence, self reliance, and love of the outdoors.