Janets Cabin

Janet's Hut

Located at timberline in the Guller Creek Drainage next to the Copper Mountain Ski Resort, Janet's Cabin is a fine hut that attracts both novice and expert skiers. The hut was completed in 1990 by Summit Huts Association (the hut owner). The lovingly crafted 3,000 square foot cabin is built with 10" Montana pine logs. Four bedrooms sleep a maximum of 20 guests. If you like mountain lounging you'll feel at home on the large front deck, where you can bake in the sun while you watch skiers descend from the high bowls.

Janet's Cabin is dedicated to the memory of Janet Boyd Tyler, a Vail resident and avid skier who passed away in 1988. According to her eulogy, "Janet was renowned for her quick smile and readiness to constantly re-discover the joy of life. She discovered her life-long passion for skiing while attending school in New Hampshire. Early on, Janet met the challenges of the slopes, including (if the legends are true) Tuckerman Ravine in the White Mountains. She dug into all her pursuits with the same enthusiasm she gave to skiing, and she often viewed life's challenges from a skier's perspective. Mountain views, fresh clear air, the beckoning of trees beside the trails, but most of all a good powder morning-these were all perceptions she carried every day. Janet's lifetime ski pass is now buried in the foundation of Janet's Cabin.

Additional Amenities:Janet's Cabin has a wood-burning sauna.

Layout and capacity: Beds are all upstairs, bunk-style in 4 different rooms (1 room with 1 single bunk and 2 single beds, 2 rooms with a double bunk and 2 single beds, and 1 room with 1 double bunk, no double beds). Capacity: 20 (Winter) 14 (Summer)

Hut Location: It is located on the eastern slope of the Continental Divide at 11,610ft, about 5 miles south of Vail Pass and Interstate Highway 70, in central Colorado. The location is near Copper Mountain ski resort. [locator map]

  • More Info
  • Winter Routes & Trailheads
  • Summer Routes & Trailheads

Maps:

Dates Open: Summer: 2nd week in July through Labor Day. Winter: Thanksgiving through the first week in May

Owned By: Summit Huts Association Oven: No Sauna: Yes

Winter Parking and General Info: Janet's Cabin Winter Info and Parking Permit

During the winter Janet's Cabin is primarily accessed via the Copper Mountain Ski area by either riding the lifts up and exiting out one of the backcountry gates or by skiing up from the bottom of the ski area and exiting out the backcountry gate. Please see the info sheet above for more details. You can also access the cabin from Vail Pass but because this trail is less traveled it may require more difficult route-finding and trail-breaking. Both of these routes are official 10th Mountain routes and are marked with our customary blue diamonds. There is no snowmobile access to this hut in the winter.

Vail Pass Winter Recreation Area Fee This hut is located in the Vail Pass Winter Recreation Area. Use of this hut during most of the winter requires payment of additional fees to the U.S. Forest service that will be charged at the time you make your reservation. This is not a parking fee; 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. More information.

Winter Trail Access

Summer Parking and General Info:Janet's Cabin Summer Hut Information and Parking Pass

The Colorado Trail passes right by Janet's Cabin and provides access to the hut from Copper Mountain. For a longer, more adventurous hike in you can start on the Colorado Trail from South Camp Hale and hike over Kokomo and Searle Passes to the hut. This section of the Colorado Trail is open to mountain biking as well and the route from Copper Mountain to South Camp Hale is a popular ride in the summer with some incredible highcountry views. There is no vehicle access to Janet's Cabin in the summer

Click here for summer water source information

Summer Trail Access

  • Trailhead: Union Creek Elevation: 9,820' Route: Colorado Trail Total Mileage: 7.1