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The Huts > 10th Mountain Division Hut Association > Jackal Hut
Jackal Hut
Located near timberline in an area used by 10th Mountain troops during their war training in the 1940s, 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).
Hut Information
Owned By
10th Mountain Division Hut Association
Open
Summer / Winter
Winter Mileage*
3.8
Closest Town
Leadville
Hut Elevation
11,660 '
Cumulative Elevation Gain *
2,436'
Layout
Upstairs: 1 room with 3 single beds, 1 room with 4 single beds, and 10 single beds in a communal sleeping area.
*from South Camp Hale Trailhead
Amenities
Heat
Wood
Oven
Wood
Refrigeration
No
Water
Cistern, Stream*, Snow Melt**
Toilet
Outhouse
Ada Accessible
No
Sauna
No
Fire Ring
Yes*
Grill
No
Dogs
No
Charging
None
Gear Cart
No
* Summer only
** Winter only
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 : Camp Hale N/S Map
View / PrintNational Geographic
Map : Eagles Nest/Holy Cross; Breckenridge/Tennessee Pass
USFS
Map : White River National Forest
Trailheads/Routes
The main winter route into the Jackal Hut follows FS Road 755 which climbs very steeply out of South Camp Hale. Although this route is only 3.8 miles it gains over 2500 feet of elevation so be prepared for the steep climb. A more gentle, albeit longer, access route is via Resolution road and Pearl Creek. Resolution road is groomed and is heavily used by snowmobiles.
This hut is located in the Vail Pass Winter Recreation Area. Use of this hut during the winter requires payment of additional fees to the US Forest service that will be charged at the time you make your reservation. This is not a parking fee and it applies regardless of which trailhead is used. The $10.00 per person per night fee is in effect from Thanksgiving through the end of April, children 15 and under are free.
Routes
Jackal Hut from South Camp Hale Trailhead/Standard Winter Route
Total Mileage
3.8
Trailhead Elevation
9,280'
Cumulative Elevation Gain
2,436'
Jackal Hut from Camp Hale Trailhead via Pearl Creek
Total Mileage
6.7
Trailhead Elevation
9,250'
Cumulative Elevation Gain
2,487'
Hut to Hut/Jackal Hut to Fowler-Hilliard Hut
Total Mileage
7.8
Trailhead Elevation
11,660'
Cumulative Elevation Gain
2,097'
Cumulative Elevation Loss
2,232'
Hut to Hut/Jackal Hut to Vance's Cabin
Total Mileage
8.4
Trailhead Elevation
11,660'
Cumulative Elevation Gain
1,637'
Cumulative Elevation Loss
2,317'
Hut to Hut/Jackal Hut to Janet's Cabin via Tim's Traverse
Trailhead Elevation
11,660'
The main summer access to the Jackal Hut is by hiking, biking or driving up FS Road 755. Motorized vehicles must park at the summer closure approximately 1/8 mile from the hut. There is no established summer hiking trail to this hut. Be aware that this road is very steep and rough and not recommended for vehicle access. The other route is driving up FS Road 715 to where it ends, and then hiking 1.3 miles on a mix of single-track and abandoned jeep trails to the hut. Vehicle access is never guaranteed to any hut at any time.
For day hikes around the Jackal Hut your best bet is to explore Chicago Ridge and keep an eye out for old machine gun nests and relics from when the area was used for training by the WWII 10th Mountain Division troops.
Summer Water Source Information
Summer Hut Information PDF
Routes
Extreme 4WD High Clearance to Jackal Hut via FS Rds 714 & 755 (aka Ranch Creek Rd)
Trailhead Elevation
0'
Hut-Specific Weather
This Afternoon : Partly sunny, with a high near 65. North northeast wind around 5 mph.
Tonight : Mostly clear, with a low around 38. East southeast wind around 5 mph.
Sunday : A slight chance of rain showers between noon and 5pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 62. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night : A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 37. South southeast wind around 5 mph.
Labor Day : A chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Sunny, with a high near 62. West wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Monday Night : A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tuesday : A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Sunny, with a high near 63. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tuesday Night : A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 41.
Wednesday : A chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 61.
Wednesday Night : A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 38.
Thursday : A slight chance of rain showers before noon, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 58.
Thursday Night : A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 37.
Friday : A chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Sunny, with a high near 60.
Friday Night : A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly clear, with a low around 38.
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.