Friends’ Hut

Route Description

A note on Braun and Friends’ Route Descriptions: These descriptions are overviews and general in nature and intended for trip planning purposes. They generally describe the frequently used routes from the trailhead and not such routes between the huts, which may or may not overlap these routes. These descriptions are no replacement for the use of proper mountain navigation tools and skills, such as maps, GPS devices, compasses and the like. Navigation in poor weather or darkness has added challenges. These frequently used routes have been developed over the years by users. Given the mountainous terrain and severe avalanche hazard, all such routes are subject to objective hazards that cannot be avoided. The route selections to access the huts are generally limited by terrain. There can be user choices within such routes that may reduce but not eliminate such hazards.

From the Aspen side the most frequently used route starts from the Ashcroft trailhead (9,500’). Parking for hut users is in the lower lot on the East side of the road. The first 5 miles of this route share the route to Tagert and Green Wilson Huts. From Ashcroft this route follows the Castle creek road South and passes the Pine Creek Cookhouse after 1 1/2 miles. From here on the route is continually exposed to serious backcountry avalanche terrain. The route can either continue to follow the Castle Creek Road or, it can take the Hunley nordic trail on the Eastern side of the valley to the fork of the Cooper Basin and Pearl Pass Roads. From here the route follows the Pearl Pass road up the Castle Creek Valley. About 1/2 mile before the Tagert and Green Wilson Huts the route passes the Mace cabin on the right, negotiates steep switchbacks and the runout of an ava-lanche path before reaching the Tagert and Green Wilson on the East side of Castle Creek. The route then passes the Tagert and Green Wilson (11,300) and climbs South West up a road cut and leaves tree line. From here it climbs South East to Mace Saddle (located between peak 12,528’ and 13,312’) and then traverses South East through the Pearl Basin and climbs to Pearl Pass (12,705’). From here the route descends South East to the Friends’ Hut located in a stand of trees at (11,450’). Note: This route is continually exposed to serious backcountry avalanche terrain and challenging above tree line travel that can present extreme navigational challenges and exposure. Note: The route to the Friends’ Hut from Ashcroft travels through the Ashcroft Ski Touring nordic center. AST allows hut users to use the Hunley nordic trail if they wish to travel on the East side of the Valley. Please do not use any of the other nordic trails. Routes to and between the huts are not marked or maintained.

Trailhead Directions

Parking

The overnight parking area for the Braun and Friends’ Huts at the Ashcroft Trailhead is located on the east side of Castle Creek Road. Please do not park in the Toklat parking lot, which is located on the west side of Castle Creek Road. Your car may be towed. Do not leave valuables in your car at the trailhead. Unfortunately, cars have been broken into and vandalized in the past. Please park head in, in the designated areas. At times the parking area may be roped off for plowing. Note: There are NO public toilet facilities at the Toklat Gallery; however, there is a public Forest Service toilet in the parking lot for the ghost town of Ashcroft, just south of the overnight parking area.

Lodging

Transportation

Route Description

A note on Braun and Friends’ Route Descriptions: These descriptions are overviews and general in nature and intended for trip planning purposes. They generally describe the frequently used routes from the trailhead and not such routes between the huts, which may or may not overlap these routes. These descriptions are no replacement for the use of proper mountain navigation tools and skills, such as maps, GPS devices, compasses and the like. Navigation in poor weather or darkness has added challenges. These frequently used routes have been developed over the years by users. Given the mountainous terrain and severe avalanche hazard, all such routes are subject to objective hazards that cannot be avoided. The route selections to access the huts are generally limited by terrain. There can be user choices within such routes that may reduce but not eliminate such hazards.

The route from Crested Butte to the Friends’ Hut follows the long and gradual drainage of East Brush Creek in its entirety. Although it doesn’t involve the crossing of any alpine passes it is not devoid of avalanche danger and demands excellent navigational skills as well as a good fitness level to cover its considerable length. The Brush Creek trailhead is situated at about four miles from Crested Butte just after the old buildings of Cold Spring Ranch (you must park at the established parking lot and not at the Ranch). Between the first (West Brush Creek) and second (Middle Brush Creek) creek crossings lies a short but steep canyon that can present serious avalanche danger. It is possible to bypass it by following the road above the canyon but this alternate route is not devoid of danger either. After the second crossing the route follows the road through beautiful stands of aspen on the north side of the valley and underneath some red rock formations, then, a little after the intersection with Block and Tackle Trail the route moves to the south side to avoid the steep chutes of Timbered Hill. It then winds through dark timber which at times can be difficult to navigate. The hut is situated in a protected stand of spruce, almost at tree line (11,450′). Routes to and between the huts are not marked or maintained.

Trailhead Directions