The Huts > Summit Huts Association > Francie’s Cabin
Francie’s Cabin
Francie’s Cabin was built in 1994 in memory of Frances Lockwood Bailey, a former Breckenridge resident who died in a tragic plane crash in 1989. Her husband, Brownell, after reviewing the Summit Hut Association’s master plan, decided to sponsor the hut in Francie’s honor. Herb’s Sauna, the wood-fired sauna at Francie’s, was built in memory of Francie’s brother Herb Lockwood, who wrote his college thesis on the geology of the nearby Crystal Lakes Basin.
Francie’s is located southwest of Breckenridge and is one of the most popular huts in Colorado. This large hut has a big capacity for multiple parties or large single groups. It is situated near timberline, in the Crystal Creek drainage, on the flank of Peak 10 of Colorado’s Tenmile Range, where mountaineering opportunities abound, summer and winter.
Hut Information
Owned By
Summit Huts Association
Open
Summer / Winter
Winter Mileage*
2.2
Closest Town
Breckenridge
Hut Elevation
11,360 '
Cumulative Elevation Gain *
1,009'
Layout
Main Level: 1 bedroom with 1 single bunkbed (sleeps 2). Upstairs: 6 bedrooms: 3 bedrooms with 2 single bunkbeds in each (12 total) , and 3 bedrooms with 2 single beds in each (6 total).
Hutmasters and Volunteers: SHA realizes that groups that reserve the entire cabin are seeking privacy. However, SHA does not prevent hutmasters or volunteers from staying in the downstairs Hutmasters’ Quarters, even when one group has booked the cabin. All hutmasters and volunteers are expected to respect the privacy of cabin guests while carrying out their maintenance duties. Maintenance staff is at the cabin once a week and guests should not be surprised to encounter hutmasters or volunteers during their visit.
*from Spruce Creek Trailhead (Winter)
Amenities
Heat
Wood
Oven
No
Refrigeration
No
Water
Stream*, Snow Melt**
Toilet
Composting Toilet
Ada Accessible
Yes†
Sauna
Yes
Fire Ring
No
Grill
No
Dogs
No
Charging
None
Gear Cart
No
* Summer only
** Winter only
† Applies to the hut structure, not to route considerations
Details
- Firewood, starter paper, matches, axes
- Propane for kitchen burners
- Plastic bins for food storage
- Snow collection buckets and large pot for melting snow on wood-burning heat stove in winter, collection buckets for stream water in summer (bring your own filter)
- Indoor composting toilet, toilet paper
- Wood-fired sauna available year-round
- Pots, pans, potholders, dishware, cooking and eating utensils, percolator or French press, salt & pepper
- Paper towels, dish soap, hand sanitizer, cleaning supplies, trash bags
- 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 : Boreas Pass Map
View / PrintNational Geographic
Map : Breckenridge/Tennessee Pass; Breckenridge
USFS
Map : White River National Forest
Trailheads/Routes
During the winter, Francie’s Cabin can be accessed via the Spruce Creek Trailhead located south of Breckenridge. The trails leaving from Spruce Creek are short but steep, and the parking at that trailhead can be limited.
NO MOTORIZED ACCESS: During the winter season (November to May), motorized vehicles, including snowmobiles, are prohibited on Spruce Creek and Crystal Creek Roads. Violators may be subject to fines. Please access Francie’s Cabin under your own power, carrying your own gear. There may or may not be a sign at the Spruce Creek location, but restrictions apply regardless of the absence or presence of signs.
Francie’s Cabin Winter Information & Parking Permit PDF
Routes
Francie's Cabin from Spruce Creek Trailhead via Spruce Creek Road/Standard Winter Route
Total Mileage
2.2
Trailhead Elevation
10,370'
Cumulative Elevation Gain
1,009'
Francie's Cabin from Spruce Creek Trailhead via Crystal Creek Road
Total Mileage
1.6
Trailhead Elevation
10,370'
Cumulative Elevation Gain
1,009'
In the summer, Francie’s Cabin can be accessed using the same routes as winter but if you are planning on driving in from the Spruce Creek Trailhead be aware that the Crystal Creek Road is very steep and rough. Vehicle access is never guaranteed to any hut at any time.
There are numerous hiking options around Francie’s. For a shorter hike you can head to Crystal Lakes or Mohawk for some fishing. The truly adventurous can head out on the Wheeler Trail which runs the length of the Tenmile Range all the way north to Copper Mountain or south to Hoosier Pass.
Summer Water Source Information
Francie’s Cabin Summer Information & Parking Permit PDF
Routes
Hike on Rugged Dirt Road to Francie's Cabin from Spruce Creek Trailhead via Spruce Creek & Aquaduct Roads
Total Mileage
2.2
Trailhead Elevation
10,370'
Cumulative Elevation Gain
1,010'
Hike on Rugged Dirt Road to Francie's Cabin from Spruce Creek Trailhead via FS Road 803 (Crystal Creek Road)
Total Mileage
1.6
Trailhead Elevation
10,370'
Cumulative Elevation Gain
1,015'
Extreme 4WD High Clearance to Francie's Cabin via FS Rd 803 (Crystal Creek Road)
Total Mileage
1.6
Trailhead Elevation
10,370'
Cumulative Elevation Gain
1,015'
Hut-Specific Weather
Tonight : Mostly clear, with a low around 22. South southwest wind 10 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.
Friday : Sunny. High near 39, with temperatures falling to around 30 in the afternoon. South southwest wind 13 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph.
Friday Night : Mostly clear, with a low around 15. Wind chill values as low as -1. West southwest wind 17 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph.
Saturday : Sunny, with a high near 27. Wind chill values as low as -2. West wind 9 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph.
Saturday Night : Partly cloudy, with a low around 8. West wind around 9 mph.
Sunday : Sunny, with a high near 30.
Sunday Night : Mostly clear, with a low around 11.
Monday : A chance of snow after 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 28.
Monday Night : Snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 8. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.
Tuesday : Snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 17. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Tuesday Night : A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 4. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.
Wednesday : A slight chance of snow before 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 17.
Wednesday Night : A slight chance of snow after 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 9.
Thursday : A slight chance of snow before 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 27.
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.