The Huts > 10th Mountain Division Hut Association > Eiseman Hut
Eiseman Hut
The rugged peaks of Colorado’s Gore Range backdrop the Eiseman Hut, 10th Mountain’s most alpine hostel. Indeed, terrain rules this amazing location: out of the hut door is arguably the best skiing 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.
Built in summer of 1996, Eiseman Hut was funded by Dr. Ben Eiseman and a number of charitable foundations.
Hut Information
Owned By
10th Mountain Division Hut Association
Open
Summer / Winter
Winter Mileage*
6.3
Closest Town
Vail
Hut Elevation
11,180 '
Cumulative Elevation Gain *
2,948'
Layout
2 private bedrooms with double beds, 10 single beds and 1 double bed in a communal sleeping area.
*from Spraddle Creek Trailhead
Amenities
Heat
Wood
Oven
Wood
Refrigeration
No
Water
Cistern, Stream*, Snow Melt**
Toilet
Outhouse
Ada Accessible
Yes†
Sauna
No
Fire Ring
Yes*
Grill
No
Dogs
No
Charging
None
Gear Cart
Yes*
* Summer only
** Winter only
† Applies to the hut structure, not to route considerations
Details
- Firewood, starter paper, matches, axes
- Propane for kitchen burners
- Cupboard or closet for cold food storage
- Snow collection buckets and large pot for melting snow on wood-burning heat stove (suggested use of snowmelt water is for drinking and cooking)
- Hand pump in kitchen dispenses water from cistern filled with roof-catchment system (suggested use of cistern water is for cleaning only)
- Pots, pans, potholders, dishware, cooking and eating utensils, percolator, salt & pepper
- Paper towels, dish soap, hand sanitizer, cleaning supplies, trash bags, toilet paper
- Solar powered lights
- Mattresses, pillows
Book This Hut
Visit our Online Booking Platform to search for availability and book this hut.
Location
Official 10th Mountain Division Map
CalTopo
Winter Map : Eiseman Hut Map
View / PrintNational Geographic
Map : Eagles Nest/Holy Cross
USFS
Map : White River National Forest
Trailheads/Routes
The main winter route into the Eiseman Hut follows Spraddle Creek and Middle Creek to the hut. It is one of the more challenging routes in the system because of length and elevation gain but it more than makes up for it with its seclusion and beauty. An alternative is the longer and flatter route up Red Sandstone road. Snowmobiles also travel on the first several miles of Red Sandstone Road – expect and respect all users.
Routes
Eiseman Hut from Spraddle Creek Trailhead/Standard Winter Route
Total Mileage
6.3
Trailhead Elevation
8,580'
Cumulative Elevation Gain
2,948'
Cumulative Elevation Loss
320'
Eiseman Hut from Red Sandstone Trailhead
Total Mileage
8.1
Trailhead Elevation
8,620'
Cumulative Elevation Gain
2,666'
The main summer access to the Eiseman Hut is via Red Sandstone Creek road. Motorized vehicle parking is approximately 1/4 mile from the hut. There are no established summer hiking or biking trails to this hut but hiking or biking the last few miles can be quite pleasant. Vehicle access is never guaranteed to any hut at any time.
For day trips you can hike up the ridge behind the hut or bring a mountain bike and explore the numerous FS roads in the area.
Summer Water Source Information
Summer Hut Information PDF
Routes
Hut-Specific Weather
Tonight : Mostly clear, with a low around 21. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday : Sunny, with a high near 38. South southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Friday Night : A slight chance of snow showers after 5am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 14. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Saturday : A slight chance of snow showers before 5pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 22. West southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Saturday Night : Partly cloudy, with a low around 9. Southwest wind 0 to 5 mph.
Sunday : Sunny, with a high near 25.
Sunday Night : Mostly clear, with a low around 10.
Monday : A chance of snow showers after 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 24.
Monday Night : Snow showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 9. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Tuesday : Snow showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 15. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.
Tuesday Night : A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 4.
Wednesday : A slight chance of snow showers before 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 13.
Wednesday Night : A slight chance of snow showers between 11pm and 5am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 8.
Thursday : Mostly sunny, with a high near 22.
Contents
Notices
Avalanche Hazard Information
Colorado is known for its avalanche prone snowpack. A number of the suggested routes to 10th Mountain Division Huts pass through or are next to terrain that may be prone to avalanches. Accordingly, pick the suggested route that most suits your group and its abilities, carry appropriate equipment, and always exercise prudent backcountry travel techniques when passing through avalanche prone terrain. Remember, avalanches can occur in forested areas and can run into forested areas from open slopes. Moreover, a number of huts booked are situated in the midst of extreme avalanche terrain. Many other huts, while located in more modest terrain, still have access routes that cross avalanche paths.
We strongly suggest that someone in every group be experienced in evaluating avalanche and snow stability hazards and practicing prudent backcountry and winter mountain travel techniques. For up-to-date avalanche information for all of Colorado, visit the website for the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC). Another excellent resource is the Forest Service National Avalanche Center website. While this site doesn’t have local forecasts, it does have a wealth of information on backcountry travel in avalanche terrain and snow science, as well as tutorials on some basic skills and snow science.
We recommend that you start checking the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) website regularly before your trip to see how conditions are evolving. Study your maps to see what type of terrain you will be traveling through to see if there are alternative routes that might be feasible if snow stability conditions deteriorate. During most of the winter, travel to the huts, other than those in the Braun Hut System and the Friends’ Hut, is possible with a relatively minor degree of risk. However, if your trip falls within a period or cycle of high or extreme instability, you must make the decision of whether or not to go. The huts are not closed for avalanche hazard reasons.