Summer Water Sources

All 10th Mountain Division Huts have a backpack and water jug that can be used to haul water to the hut. Some water sources are rather small, so we suggest bringing a small pot or something to use to help fill the jug.

It is the hut customer's responsibility to purify any water that will be used for drinking, as 10th Mountain cannot guarantee the purity of water. Many huts have pumps in the kitchen that dispense water that is collected off the roof and stored in cisterns. Water from these pumps is not purified and is intended for use in cleaning only. Availability of cistern water depends on precipitation and conservation by previous users, and it is possible that a cistern could be completely dry.

A Note About Water Filter Use: We ask that when you filter water at the huts you do not filter it directly from the snowmelt pots or water jugs. It is impossible for us to know where everyone's water filter has been and while the water coming out of your filter is clean, the intake portion of your filter may not be and that can be a source of contamination. Unless your filter is thoroughly washed after every trip bacteria and viruses can live on the intake portion of your filter for longer than you might think. It is each hut users responsibility to purify their own water but not all filters remove every contaminant with equal effectiveness. In order to minimize the chance of further contamination we ask that you fill up another large metal pot and filter water out of that instead of filtering directly from the communal snowmelt pot and water jugs. When you are done filtering your water please wipe down the metal pot and allow it to airdry.

The descriptions below provide water source locations, NOT exact directions for how to reach each source. Descriptions include references to landscape features and landmarks such as named creeks, lakes and Forest Service roads that will appear on topographic maps. This information should be used in conjunction with a topographic map of the area you are visiting.

10th Mountain: A stream flowing southeast from Slide Lake can be accessed on the east side of the hut or down the Slide Lake road approximately 1/2 mile from the hut. There is also a small stream feeding the marshy meadow directly west of hut. 10th Mountain has a cistern.

Broome Hut: The Broome Hut does have a cistern. The other summer water source at the Broome Hut are the headwaters of First Creek. They are a 5-10 minute walk past the hut on FS Trail N137. All water is non-potable, bring a filter.

Betty Bear: 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 Lilly Pad Lake. If the stream is not flowing, the next closest source is the lake, located 1/4 mile east of the hut via F.R. 527. Betty Bear has a storage tank above the stairs to the living area and a spigot at the kitchen sink. Just as with cisterns/pumps at other huts, this water is not purified and is intended for cleaning.

Continental Divide Cabin: There is a cistern with a pump in the kitchen. It is recommended that the water be filtered.

Point Breeze Cabin: There is a cistern with a pump in the kitchen. It is recommended that the water be filtered.

Eiseman: Water from a pipe on the East side of Forest Road 719, approximately 3/4 of a mile below the hut. This water should be filtered. Eiseman has a cistern.

Emmelyn Hut: The closest water source is East Tennessee Creek, which is approximately 1.5 miles below the hut on FS 102. The Emmelyn Hut has a cistern.

Fowler/Hilliard: The most reliable water source is Resolution Creek, which flows southwest next to F.R. 702 approximately 2.5 miles from the hut. Fowler/Hilliard has a cistern. There are two small springs along F.R. 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. Fowler/Hilliard has a cistern.

Francie's: There is a small stream adjacent to the cabin. Francie's does not have a cistern.

Harry Gates: There are two water sources for this hut. One is approximately 1/2 mile south of the hut on the Burnt Mountain Road (F.R. 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 1/2 miles north/northwest of the hut on the F.R. 507. Harry Gates does not have a cistern.

High Lonesome Hut: The High Lonesome Hut has running, potable water. It does not have a cistern.

Jackal: Ranch Creek Spring is the closest source and is located about 2 miles southwest of the hut on F.R. 755. Jackal has a cistern.

Janets Cabin: There is a stream outside the front of the hut.

Margy's: The water source for the Margy's Hut is located 1/4 mile North of the hut along road 526. There is a small spring fed pond just west of road 526. Margy's does not have a cistern.

Peter Estin: There is a pump outside the hut that draws water from a spring fed cistern. This water should be filtered prior to drinking. Peter Estin does not have a pump in the kitchen.

Polar Star: There is running water at the hut from a nearby spring. Purification is recommended. Polar Star does not have a cistern.

The Seipel Hut: There is running water at the hut from a nearby spring. Purification is recommended. The Seipel Hut does not have a cistern.

Shrine Mountain Inn: All cabins at the Shrine Mountain Inn (Jay's, Chuck's, and Walter's) have potable running water. Shrine Mountain Inn cabins do not have cisterns.

Sangree M. Froelicher: The closest water to the hut is from two small streams accessed by traveling approximately 1/2 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. Sangree M. Froelicher has a cistern.

Skinner: There is a pipe from a spring approximately 2 miles down the Hagerman Pass Road (F.R. 105) towards Turquoise Lake. Traveling further down the road could be necessary in late summer or in especially dry years. Skinner has a cistern.

Uncle Bud's: There is a stream west of the hut near the Bear Lake trailhead parking and Colorado Trail access. Uncle Bud's has a cistern.

Vance's: In September, October and November (before enough snow accumulates to melt), guests must bring their own water.

In the Field