FRANCIE'S CABIN
SUMMER USE INFORMATION

Francie's Cabin in the summertime offers wonderful opportunities for hiking, mountain climbing, fishing, cycling, and relaxing. To ensure that the impacts to wildlife and the fragile high altitude environment surrounding Francie's Cabin will be minimized, please familiarize yourself with the information on this flyer.

Ownership - Francie's Cabin is owned and operated by Summit Huts Association, a not-for-profit organization based in Breckenridge, Colorado, under special use permit with the Forest Service, USDA.

Occupancy - Summer occupancy of Francie's Cabin is 20 people. Summit Huts Association (SHA) has voluntarily reduced the capacity of the cabin in the summer to help reduce impacts to wildlife and the environment.

Summer Hutmaster - A hutmaster lives at Francie's Cabin during the summer. Guests staying at Francie's Cabin should expect to meet the resident hutmaster.

Hut Amenities - Francie's Cabin sleeps 20 people in the summer, divided among six bunk rooms. Huts are booked to capacity and may be occupied by more than one group. Overflow camping around the huts is not permitted. Francie's Cabin offers propane cooktops, wood burning heat stove, fire wood, cooking/eating utensils, mattresses & pillows on sleeping platforms and bunk beds, solar-powered lighting and lanterns, a wood-burning sauna, and hut supplies such as toilet paper, paper towels, cleaning supplies, soap. Please note that there is no oven, no double beds and no refrigeration.

Your Responsibilities - The success of the hut systems depends on the care provided by the guests. You are responsible for leaving the cabin cleaner than you found it, including sweeping floors, cleaning the kitchen, washing your dishes, etc. You are also responsible for hauling out all your food and trash. Other instructions and rules are posted in the hut.

Dogs - Dogs are not allowed at the huts.

Access to Francie's Cabin - There are a number of ways to access Francie's Cabin in the summer. One of the goals of SHA is to provide opportunities for non-motorized recreation. We encourage you to access the hut under your own power, carrying your own gear. Please purchase and bring with you a current topographic map of the area, such as the map produced by SHA and available for sale through 10th Mountain Division Hut Association (970-925-5775) or Mountain Outfitters, 112 S. Ridge Street, Breckenridge (970-453-2201). Routes to the cabin are illustrated on the map.

Burro Trail: If you choose to access Francie's Cabin from Breckenridge via the Burro Trail, you will need to park at Beaver Run Resort, 620 Village Road (directions: take Main Street to South Park Avenue, turn west onto South Park Avenue, turn west onto Village Road, follow it to Beaver Run). Park in the large parking lot east of Beaver Run (across from the Great Divide Hotel), and post the parking permit on your dashboard. Occasionally, Beaver Run closes the east lot for special events and group functions. Inquire at the front desk of Beaver Run for alternative parking options. Motorized vehicles are not permitted on the Burro Trail.

Spruce Creek Trailhead: A variety of access options are available from the Spruce Creek Trailhead. Directions: From the intersection of Main Street and South Park Avenue in Breckenridge, note your mileage. Proceed south on Main Street (Highway 9) for 2.3 miles. Turn right onto Spruce Creek Road. Follow it through the neighborhood, bearing left at major intersections. The trailhead parking area is marked with several Forest Service signs, one saying "Spruce Creek Portal." Follow the map for routes to Francie's Cabin.

Motorized Access: Motorized access to Francie's Cabin is not guaranteed. The U.S. Forest Service prohibits motorized travel in the Crystal Lakes and Spruce Creek areas except on routes marked with white arrow symbols. Motor vehicles are not permitted near Francie's Cabin. The Crystal Lakes road is very steep, rocky, difficult and is recommended only for high clearance four wheel drive vehicles (i.e. Jeeps) and experienced drivers. The road is frequently not open. Parking is not permitted along the roadside or anywhere expect in designated areas. If you are able to drive the Crystal Lakes Road to access Francie's Cabin, feel free to drop off gear and people at the access drive to the cabin, but please park at the parking area approximately 1/8 mile below the access drive at the flat clearing next to the Crystal Road. Plan in advance to be able to carry all of your gear and equipment in case the road is closed.

 

---

PARKING PASS
FRANCIE'S CABIN GUEST
WILL RETURN ________________

Parking pass must be used if you will be parking at Beaver Run Resort and accessing Francie's Cabin via the Burro Trail. Make copies of the pass if your group requires more than one vehicle.

---

Questions/Information: Contact 10th Mountain Division Hut Association at 970-925-5775 (summer hours 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Friday) or Summit Huts Association at 970-453-8583 or summithuts@colorado.net.

Arriving at the Hut - The confirmation letter sent with the reservation packet to the trip organizer has the door lock combination. Huts are locked with padlocks so combinations are necessary for entry. Please post the confirmation letter on the board upon arrival. All users must have a valid reservation or face eviction either by those who do have a reservation or by our resident hutmaster.

Check-In/Check-Out Time is 1:00 p.m. - Please time your travels so you arrive at the cabin after 1:00 p.m. Upon departure, please have your bags packed, the kitchen and hut clean, and other items on the "Before Departure - DO" list, which is posted in the cabin, and prepare to vacate the cabin by 1:00 p.m. A designated check-in/check-out time allows groups staying at the cabin to have a reasonable expectation of privacy.

Water - Water is available from a creek near the cabin. Water should be treated by boiling, filtering or with chemical treatments before using. You may want to bring a water filter.

Fires - Due to potential forest fire danger, camp fires are not permitted. Outdoor cooking is also not permitted because it attracts bears and other wildlife. It is illegal to discharge fireworks in the National Forest.

Mountain Biking/Hiking - The Forest Service roads and trails near the hut are great for mountain biking and hiking. Please tread lightly. Please do not ride or hike off designated trails and roads to protect the fragile high altitude environment. Helmets are recommend for cyclists.

Horses - Horses are not permitted at Francie's Cabin. There are no facilities for horses near the cabin.

Backcountry Preparedness - Francie's Cabin is located at 11,300 feet in elevation. Be aware that going to a hut requires long climbs at high altitude. Weather in the mountains can change rapidly. A warm summer morning at a trailhead can turn into a cold storm with lightening at 11,000 feet. Snow and hail and possible at high elevations in the summer and temperatures can drop below freezing. Plan to bring warm clothes and sufficient food and water.

Emergencies & First Aid - Communication, even in an emergency, is not possible from Francie's Cabin. Cellular phones may or may not work. If a member of your group is injured or becomes ill on the trail or at the hut, you cannot rely on outside help. Plan ahead and be prepared to execute a self rescue. Your group should be equipped with first aid supplies and have experience in emergency first aid. The Summit County Sheriff should be contacted in the event of an emergency (call 911 or dispatch at 668-8600).

Group Leader - Since the trip organizer may not be experienced in the backcountry, we recommend that your group discuss how decisions will be made in the field and who will be the leader, particularly if problems arise. Be honest when assessing each member's strengths, skills and experience.

Route Finding - You are responsible for finding the route to the hut. We strongly recommend that someone in your group have experience in route finding in bad weather conditions, reading topographic maps and using a compass. Routes to Francie's Cabin may not be marked or maintained. The map on the brochure shows general directions and should not be relied upon for route finding. A detailed map may be purchased from 10th Mountain or Mountain Outfitters, as mentioned above.

Suggested Equipment List - This list is a guide in helping you prepare for your trip. There may be other items you wish to carry. Never travel unprepared in the backcountry. And remember to pack out what you pack in.

warm jacket	ear plugs	water filter	hand towel
warm hat	hut slippers	flashlight/headlamp	toilet kit
long pants	sleeping bag	lip balm	day pack
socks/extra pairs	ground cloth	first aid kit	insect repellent
gloves	food & liquids	survival kit (knife, matches, etc.)	pillow case
bicycle repair kit	compass	wind/raingear	maps
warm sweater	bicycle helmet	proper footwear	water bottles

Cancellations/Changes - Cancellations and changes must be made to 10th Mountain 30 days prior to your trip start date in order to receive an 80% credit for a future trip. Cancellations made less than 30 days prior to your trip start date will result in forfeiture of your payment. No refunds.

Waivers - A "Use, Waiver and Release" form must be initialed and signed by each person in the group. Release Forms must be returned to 10th Mountain before your departure. The huts may not be occupied by any person who has failed to initial, sign and return a Release Form to 10th Mountain.

Handicap Accessibility - Francie's Cabin was built in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, but the trip to the cabin is a backcountry experience. For more information, contact Summit Huts Association at 970-453-8583.

---

For more information, contact:
Summit Huts Association
PO Box 2830
Breckenridge, CO 80424
970-453-8583
summithuts@colorado.net