Avalanche Hazard Information
Note: This Avalanche Hazard Information pertains to the 10th Mountain Division huts, the Summit Huts Association huts, the Grand Huts Association hut, and all of the privately owned huts. For important avalanche hazard information about the Alfred A. Braun Huts and the Friends’ Hut, please link to their pages from The Huts menu and review all alerts and warnings.
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. While deep snow, bad weather, and white-out conditions are to be anticipated on any trip, a hut credit may be issued if a trip is cancelled due to avalanche danger associated with an extreme avalanche cycle. To be considered for hut credit under these circumstances, please send us a detailed email and we will reply as soon as possible.
Information about avalanche activity along suggested routes that has been observed or reported by staff members, guides and hut users is recorded on this website; start by going to The Huts menu, select the appropriate hut page, scroll to that hut’s Trailheads/Routes section, select Winter, then select the dark blue Route Description button of the winter route you want to review. If avalanche activity has been reported on the route, you’ll see a warning note in orange, followed by details at the bottom of the route description about the location and rating of the observed or reported avalanche activity. If avalanche activity has not been observed or reported – this will also be noted, but does not indicate that avalanche activity will not occur in the future. Our avalanche activity records are location-based; we do not report observation dates or show repetition. We welcome new information.
Avalanche size/destructive force is based on SWAG-Snow, Weather and Avalanche Guidelines of the American Avalanche Association.
Size-Destructive Force
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- D1 Relatively harmless to humans
- D2 Could bury or injure a person
- D3 Could bury a car, damage a truck, destroy a wood frame house, or break a few trees
- D4 Could destroy a railroad car, large truck, several buildings, or a substantial amount of forest.
- D5 Could gouge the landscape, largest snow avalanches known.
Global Positioning System (GPS) Information
The following GPS coordinates were collected with the best available tools at our disposal. While we strive for accuracy in our data, discrepancies may still exist between our coordinates and coordinates you may take in the field.
10th Mountain advises against relying solely on a GPS for use in accessing the huts because they may not provide the desired accuracy due to weak satellite signals caused by forest cover, inclement weather, topography, less-than-ideal satellite positions, and other factors. If you are going to use GPS we would suggest that your party have more than one unit to double check your coordinates.
GPS and Smart Phones
As smart phones have become more powerful and their GPS capabilities have improved, more and more people are using them as a GPS instead of purchasing a separate, stand-alone device. When paired with a good mapping app, the increased screen size and resolution of most modern smart phones is big improvement over the smaller screens of many stand-alone GPS units. We recommend the Gaia GPS App for mapping on your smart phone, it has a very intuitive interface and powerful trip planning tools. Gaia has provided an instructional hut-trip-planning video below that is packed with useful info. Gaia GPS is also offering hut users a free 3 month trial of Gaia GPS premium so you can safely plan your next hut trip with Gaia GPS. 10th Mountain Division Hut Visitors get access to the full map catalog and the ability download your maps for offline use with 3 months of Gaia GPS Premium. Gaia GPS Premium Free 3 month trial!
A GPS unit can be a good tool for backcountry navigation when used in conjunction with a map, compass, altimeter and appropriate skills. If your GPS fails, you will be very thankful that you wisely brought your map, compass, and altimeter – and know how to use them. If you would like to know more about GPS accuracy and the different variables that can affect it we have included links to some useful info at the bottom of the page.
Trailhead and Hut Locations
(GPS tracks for individual routes can be found on their respective hut pages)
NAD-27 Mapping Datum (PDF’s)
WGS-84 Mapping Datum (PDF’s)
GPS FAQ’s
Should I use my GPS to navigate to the hut?
10th Mountain advises against relying solely on a GPS for use in accessing the huts because they may not provide the desired accuracy due to weak satellite signals caused by forest cover, inclement weather, topography, less-than-ideal satellite positions, and other factors. A GPS unit can be a good tool for backcountry navigation when used in conjunction with a map, compass, altimeter and appropriate skills. If your GPS fails, you will be very thankful that you wisely brought your map, compass, and altimeter – and know how to use them.
What is a mapping datum?
A datum is a mathematical model of the Earth which approximates the shape of the Earth and is used as a reference on maps. It enables calculations such as position and area to be carried out in a consistent and accurate manner even though the earth is not perfectly round, but is spheroid in shape. Every map has a map datum reference that is usually listed in the title block or legend of the map.
Why do I need to know about mapping datums and which one should I use?
When using a map and GPS together for navigation, your GPS must be set to the same datum as the map you are using. Failure to do so could result in errors of 200 meters or more in your displayed position. This is because the same position on earth (a hut or trailhead for example) will have different coordinates depending on the datum used to create the map. Most United States Geological Survey (USGS) topographic maps and ALL 10th Mountain Division Hut Association winter maps are referenced using NAD 27. Some newer USGS maps use NAD 83. If you are using your GPS without a map (shame on you for not having a map!), using WGS84 is generally the best datum to use as it is considered the most accurate datum to use with a GPS alone. Consult your GPS owner’s manual to learn how to set the correct datum to match your map’s datum.
Why are there two mapping datums?
Over the years, many different datums have been developed and used as references on maps all over the world. NAD27 (1927 North American Datum) and WGS84 (World Geodetic System 1984) are the two most predominantly used in North America today.
REMEMBER! when using a map AND GPS together, BE SURE YOUR GPS IS SET TO THE SAME DATUM AS YOUR TOPO MAP! Failure to do so could result in errors of 200 meters or more in your displayed position. Consult your GPS owners manual to learn how to set the correct datum to match your map’s datum. Note that most GPS units come from the factory with WGS84 as the default map datum.
Additional Information and Links
GPS Systems and Accuracy
- Excellent article explaining the limits of GPS accuracy and what to look for in an accurate GPS unit.
- A more technical article explaining GPS accuracy and limitations and the formulas used to determine it.
- GPS.gov: The official government website for the GPS System
- Extensive overview of the GPS System.
Emergency & Self Rescue
If a member of your group is injured or becomes ill at a hut or along the trail you cannot rely on outside help. Communication of any kind with the outside world, even in an emergency, is not possible from most of the huts. Cell phone reception is spotty and cannot be relied upon. Your group must be prepared and equipped for a bivouac, rescue, evacuation, equipment repair or handling of other misfortunes that may be encountered.
Several members of your party should be trained in first aid. Such training may be obtained by taking the requisite courses for an American Red Cross advanced first aid certification. Contact your local chapter of the Red Cross for details. Hut users who frequently travel in the backcountry should consider training beyond standard first aid. The CU Mountain Medicine Course is a good place to start looking for such training.
In the event of an emergency, CALL 911. Texting 911 is only available in some counties, see below. If a person is reporting an emergency on behalf of someone on a hut trip, they can call the Non-Emergency Dispatch of the county where the hut is located, see below. Any rescue effort may be slow, if available.
These county specific numbers are also provided on the confirmation email that is sent when a hut is reserved:
Eagle County: In An Emergency Call or Text 911
Eagle County: Non-Emergency Dispatch: Call 970-479-2201
Huts In Eagle County:
Eiseman Hut
Fowler-Hilliard Hut
Harry Gates Hut
Jackal Hut
Peter Estin Hut
Polar Star Inn
Seipel Hut
Shrine Mountain Inn (Jay’s, Chuck’s & Walter’s Cabins)
Vance’s Cabin
Grand County: In An Emergency Call or Text 911
Grand County Non-Emergency Dispatch: Call 970-725-3311
Huts In Grand County:
Broome Hut
High Lonesome Hut
Gunnison County: In An Emergency Call or Text 911
Gunnison County Non-Emergency Dispatch: Call 970-641-8200 x1
Huts In Gunnison County:
Friends’ Hut
Opa’s Taylor Hut
Lake County: In An Emergency Call 911
Lake County Non-Emergency Dispatch: Call 719-486-1249
Huts In Lake County:
10th Mountain Division Hut
Continental Divide Cabin
Emmelyn Hut
Point Breeze Cabin
Sangree M. Froelicher Hut
Skinner Hut
Uncle Bud’s Hut
Pitkin County: In An Emergency Call or Text 911
Pitkin County Non-Emergency Dispatch: Call 970-920-5310
Huts in Pitkin County:
Barnard Hut
Benedict Huts (Fritz & Fabi)
Betty Bear Hut
Goodwin-Greene Hut
Green Wilson Hut
Lindley Hut
Margy’s Hut
Markley Hut
McNamara Hut
Tagert Hut
Summit County: In An Emergency Call or Text 911
Summit County Non-Emergency Dispatch: Call 970-668-8600
Huts in Summit County:
Francie’s Cabin
Janet’s Cabin
Ken’s Cabin
Section House
Sisters Cabin
Summer Water Source Information
Collecting & Filtering Stream Water for Drinking
The list by hut below provides approximate locations of nearby streams where guests collect water for drinking. It is the hut customer’s responsibility to filter the water they collect. FILTERS ARE NOT PROVIDED – DON’T FORGET TO BRING YOUR OWN! If you don’t have a filter, boil stream water on the hut’s propane burners. If your group is driving a support vehicle consider bringing your own water.
A Note About Water Filter Use: In order to minimize contamination of the plastic water jugs from the dirty end of your filter, we ask you to transfer the unfiltered water into one of the hut’s cooking pots – which are easier to clean – and filter from the cooking pot into your own clean containers. When you are done filtering your water please wipe down the metal pot and allow it to air-dry.
All huts* have large plastic water jugs or pails to transport water from the stream to the hut. Many huts have water-carrying backpacks (see below for availability by hut). Some water sources are shallow and the collection jug probably can’t be submerged, so in addition to the water-carrying pack, we suggest bringing a small pot or water bottle to help transfer stream water into the jugs.
*Shrine Mountain Inn (Jay’s, Chuck’s and Walter’s) and the High Lonesome Hut are the only properties with potable, hot and cold running water. Guests may drink the water from the kitchen and bathroom sinks at these huts right from the tap!
Using Cistern Water for Cleaning
Many huts have hand pumps in the kitchen sink that dispense water from various types of cisterns. The suggested use of cistern water is for cleaning only unless stated below. Availability of cistern water depends on precipitation and conservation by previous users, and could be completely dry.
Summer Water Source Information – By Hut
10th Mountain Division Hut
- Water Source Location: A stream flowing southeast from Slide Lake can be accessed on the east side of the hut or down the Slide Lake Road approximately ½ mile. There is also a small stream feeding the marshy meadow directly west of hut. Bring your own filter.
- Water-Carrying Backpack: Available at hut.
- Cistern: Hand pump in kitchen dispenses water from cistern filled with roof-catchment system (suggested use of cistern water is for cleaning only).
Betty Bear Hut
- Water Source Location: There is a small stream approximately 100 meters from the hut, down the access road, between the hut and the gate. This stream flows from Lily Pad Lake. If the stream is not flowing, the next closest source is Lily Pad Lake, located ¼ mile east of the hut via FS Road 527. Bring your own filter.
- Water-Carrying Backpack: Available at hut.
- Cistern: Betty Bear has a storage tank (similar to a cistern), located above the stairs to the living area and a spigot at the kitchen sink (suggested use of tank water is for cleaning only).
Broome Hut
- Water Source Location/Cistern: Hand pump in kitchen dispenses water from cistern filled with roof-catchment system. Unlike cistern water at many other huts, this non-potable water can be used for drinking if filtered. Bring your own filter. The backup summer water source is the headwaters of First Creek, a short, steep walk behind the hut. Bring your own filter.
- Water-Carrying Backpack: Not available at this hut, but there are collapsable plastic containers for transporting water.
Continental Divide Cabin
- Water Source Location/Cistern: Hand pump in kitchen dispenses water from a well-fed cistern. Unlike cistern water at many other huts, this water can be used for drinking if filtered. Bring your own filter.
- Water-Carrying Backpack: Not available at hut.
Eiseman Hut
- Water Source Location: Stream water runs from a pipe on the East side of FS Road 719, approximately ¾ mile below the hut. Bring your own filter.
- Water-Carrying Backpack: Available at hut.
- Cistern: Hand pump in kitchen dispenses water from cistern filled with roof-catchment system (suggested use of cistern water is for cleaning only).
Emmelyn Hut
- Water Source Location: The closest water source is East Tennessee Creek, which is approximately 1 mile below the hut on FS Road 102. Bring your own filter.
- Water-Carrying Backpack: Not available at hut.
- Cistern: Hand pump in kitchen dispenses water from cistern filled with roof-catchment system (suggested use of cistern water is for cleaning only).
Fowler-Hilliard Hut
- Water Source Location: The most reliable water source is Resolution Creek, which flows southwest next to FS Road 702 approximately 2.5 miles from the hut. There are two small springs along FS Road 751 towards Ptarmigan Pass closer to the hut, but these springs will probably not be running by mid to late summer or in dry years. Bring your own filter.
- Water-Carrying Backpack: Available at hut.
- Cistern: Hand pump in kitchen dispenses water from cistern filled with roof-catchment system (suggested use of cistern water is for cleaning only).
Francie’s Cabin
- Water Source Location: Water is available from a creek 50’ north of the cabin. This creek is not a guaranteed water source, especially in the fall. The next closest water source is Crystal Creek 250 yards south of the hut. Bring your own filter.
- Water-Carrying Backpack: None. Francie’s water source is quite close to the cabin; labeled pails are provided to carry water.
- Cistern: None.
Harry Gates Hut
- Water Source Location: There are two water sources for this hut. One is approximately ½ mile south of the hut on the Burnt Mountain Road (FS Road 507), where the road turns west. If you go under the power lines, you have gone too far. The stream is on the east side of the road. You will find a small path leading down from the road and a pipe at the stream to help fill water jugs. The other source is from Lime Creek at Lime Creek Canyon, approximately 1 ½ miles north/northwest of the hut on the FS Road 507. Bring your own filter.
- Water-Carrying Backpack: Available at hut.
- Cistern: None.
High Lonesome Hut
- High Lonesome Hut has potable, hot and cold running water in the kitchen and bathroom. Guests may drink the water right from the taps.
Jackal Hut
- Water Source Location: Ranch Creek Spring is the closest source and is located about 2 miles southwest of the hut on FS Road 755. Bring your own filter.
- Water-Carrying Backpack: Available at hut.
- Cistern: Hand pump in kitchen dispenses water from cistern filled with roof-catchment system (suggested use of cistern water is for cleaning only).
Janet’s Cabin
- Water Source Location: Guller Creek, located just above the cabin, is the closest summer water source. Bring your own filter.
- Water-Carrying Backpack: None. Janet’s water source is quite close to the cabin; labeled pails are provided to carry water.
- Cistern: None.
Margy’s Hut
- Water Source Location: The water source is located ¼ mile North of the hut along FS Road 526, where there is a small spring-fed pond just west of the road. Bring your own filter.
- Water-Carrying Backpack: Available at hut.
- Cistern: None.
Peter Estin Hut
- Water Source Location/Cistern: Peter Estin has a unique outdoor hand pump that dispenses water from a spring-fed cistern (there is no pump in the kitchen). Unlike cistern water at many other huts, this water can be used for drinking if filtered. Bring your own filter.
- Water-Carrying Backpack: Available at hut.
Point Breeze Cabin
- Water Source Location/Cistern: Hand pump in kitchen dispenses water from a well-fed cistern. Unlike cistern water at many other huts, this water can be used for drinking if filtered. Bring your own filter.
- Water-Carrying Backpack: Not available at hut.
Polar Star Inn
- Water Source Location: Polar Star has a unique spring-fed hydrant that dispenses water into the kitchen sink. Unlike cistern water at many other huts, this water can be used for drinking if filtered. Water is not guaranteed at the sink, and jugs are provided which can be filled from an exterior hydrant, also spring fed. Bring your own filter.
- Water-Carrying Backpack: TBD
- Cistern: TBD
Seipel Hut
- Water Source Location: Seipel Hut has a unique spring-fed hydrant that dispenses water into the kitchen sink. Unlike cistern water at many other huts, this water can be used for drinking if filtered. Water is not guaranteed at the sink, and jugs are provided which can be filled from an exterior hydrant, also spring fed. Bring your own filter.
- Water-Carrying Backpack: TBD
- Cistern: TBD
Shrine Mountain Inn (Jay’s, Chuck’s and Walter’s Cabins)
- All cabins at Shrine Mountain Inn have potable, hot and cold running water in all kitchens and bathrooms. Guests may drink the water right from the taps.
Sangree M. Froelicher Hut
- Water Source Location: The closest water to the hut is from two small streams accessed by traveling approximately ½ mile SW from the hut on the summer/winter hut access trail. Additionally, water is available from the stream in Buckeye Gulch, either by descending approximately 700′ in elevation below the hut, or by contouring north from the hut to where the stream leaves Buckeye Lake. Bring your own filter.
- Water-Carrying Backpack: Available at hut.
- Cistern: Hand pump in kitchen dispenses water from cistern filled with roof-catchment system (suggested use of cistern water is for cleaning only).
Skinner Hut
- Water Source Location: There is a pipe from a spring approximately 2 miles down the Hagerman Pass Road (FS Road 105) towards Turquoise Lake. Traveling further down the road could be necessary in late summer or in especially dry years. Bring your own filter.
- Water-Carrying Backpack: Available at hut.
- Cistern: Hand pump in kitchen dispenses water from cistern filled with roof-catchment system (suggested use of cistern water is for cleaning only).
Uncle Bud’s Hut
- Water Source Location/Cistern: Hand pump in kitchen dispenses water from a well-fed cistern. Unlike cistern water at many other huts this water can be used for drinking if filtered. There is also a stream west of the hut near the Bear Lake Trailhead parking and Colorado Trail access. Bring your own filter.
- Water-Carrying Backpack: Available at hut.
Vance’s Cabin
- Water Source Location: There is no nearby stream. Although not open earlier in the summer, guests staying in September, October and November must bring their own water until enough snow accumulates to melt. Bring your own filter.
- Water-Carrying Backpack: Not available at hut.
- Cistern: TBD