Thread: CO hut query

I'm actually going to try to be ahead of the game and book some space in a hut this year. My criteria are:

- preferably no more than 2 hours drive time from Denver
- not too much of a slog in to the hut - coupla miles is fine.
- good yo-yo skiing near the hut, potential for day touring, it won't be a group of XC skiers, we're looking for powder.
- reliable snow - also best time of year?- thinking February.
- probably a weekend trip - leave friday afternoon, get to the hut that night, then full day tour/yo-yo on sat./a few more turns on sunday and we're audi.

I've never been on a hut trip so any advice would be appreciated.

And yes I've been to the 10th Mountain Div. site, and was thinking Eiseman hut, but the fact that ladies may be with us makes me think that a 7 mile slog in may not be so fun.

Suggestions por favor?

One of my good friends works for the hut division and is in charge of the maintenance of all the huts around Vail/Leadville. He hikes up to them everyday in the summer, and skins up in the winter.
He's in Canada fishing right now, but he'll be back in about a week. When he does get back, I'll pm you and let you know how to get in touch with him. He knows better than anyone about the huts. -Brett

First, get yourself either this book or this book. Of the two, I have the second book. It's been very informative for the hut trips that I have been to. I am not familiar with the first one, but the author, Lou Dawson, is highly respected.

There's a handful of huts that could fit your description. However, I don't think any of them have less then a 3 mile slog in. Shrine Mtn. Inn is probably the easiest and I've heard there's good skiing nearby. Vance's Cabin is also pretty short, but I don't know about skiing nearby. I'd also look at the Sangree Froelicher Hut (a.k.a. the Belvedere Hut) - 4 miles in with some kick-ass terrain nearby, although it's south and east facing and pretty avy prone when the conditions are bad (which is almost all of the winter in CO). There's also Janet's Cabin and Francie's Cabin, but I don't know much about them. Also, some of them can be reached without crossing designated wilderness areas and can technically be reached with a snowmobile. I would strongly advise against this unless you rent out the whole hut for your group. You'd surely piss the hell out of everyone else in the hut otherwise.

Pick up the book(s) and look them over. I don't think you'd find enough info anywhere else. You're gonna have to get at least one of them.

Also, weekend dates (especially at the huts above) are just starting to fill up right now. Within the next 2-3 months, they'll all be gone for the popular huts. Get cracking today on planning and reserving space, or you'll be stuck slogging 11+ into the Skinner Hut.

If you're not against a longer slog, look into the Polar Star Inn. That one is swank!

Uncle Bud's hut has some great terrain nearby. However, it is kind of a slog to get in there. Shrine Mountain Inn is fancy-schmancy, but the terrain isn't all that great. Very flat. There is better terrain, but you will have to slog a few miles to get to it. Shrine pass is nearby, and has some ok 400-600 foot shots. The huts down near Leadville and Aspen will have the better terrain and snow. I need to start getting my reservations in as well.

Soooo.... what's the chances of having a Maggot Hut Trip?

Originally posted by Ubersheist Soooo.... what's the chances of having a Maggot Hut Trip?

The place for that is Dark Canyon cabins in the La Sals. $30/person per night. Main cabin sleeps ten, then there are four person cabins at the same location, same price. I have reservations there for 10 in Feb. I was going to have 14 and they said no problem.

5 mile approach. They can haul gear in with their snowcat for an extra $150.

www.tagalong.com

Well, that'd be a closer drive for me then any of the CO huts! And cheaper!

I've heard nothing but good things about the hut(s) and bc in the La Sals. When do you have the reservation relative to the Summit?

I'll be there feb 16-21. I am going with 10 of my cronies from Flagstaff.

But I would always be up for another trip there. Great place.