The Huts > 10th Mountain Division Hut Association > Betty Bear Hut

Betty Bear Hut

Betty Bear Hut is a terrific destination for intermediate backcountry skiers, although the steep section from Road 505 to the hut can be challenging for skiers with less than strong intermediate skiing skills on the ascent and descent. It’s located near the Continental Divide, surrounded by a variety of terrain, and accessed via a long, snow-covered road that’s a beautiful run on light touring equipment (albeit with the aforementioned short, steeper climb as the final test before reaching the hut).

Hut Information

Owned By

10th Mountain Division Hut Association

Open

Summer / Winter

Winter Mileage*

6.0

Closest Town

Basalt

Hut Elevation

11,100 '

Cumulative Elevation Gain *

2,102'

Layout

Downstairs: 2 private rooms with double beds, one semi-private room (no door) with double bed,  1 single bunk (up and down), and 8 beds in a communal sleeping area.

*from Road 505 Trailhead

Amenities

Heat

Wood

Oven

Wood

Refrigeration

No

Water

Cistern, Stream*, Snow Melt**

Toilet

Outhouse

Ada Accessible

Yes

Sauna

No

Fire Ring

Yes*

Grill

No

Dogs

No

Charging

None

Gear Cart

Yes*

* Summer only
** Winter only
Applies to the hut structure, not to route considerations

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

Capacity

16

Price

$37/person/night*
*Children 12 & Under 50% Off

Visit our Online Booking Platform to search for availability and book this hut.

Location

39.2554017, -106.522949

Official 10th Mountain Division Map

CalTopo

Winter Map : Continental Divide E/W + Betty Bear Map

View / Print

National Geographic

Map : Holy Cross/Ruedi Reservoir; Eagles Nest/Holy Cross

USFS

Map : White River National Forest

Trailheads/Routes

The main winter route into the Betty Bear Hut gradually ascends FS 505 for approximately 5 miles, then climbs steeply up a marked ski trail to the hut. Descending this steep section can be quite challenging particularly if there is little snow or it is breakable crust.

Winter Hut Information PDF

Routes

Betty Bear from Road 505 Trailhead/Standard Winter Route

Total Mileage

6.0

Trailhead Elevation

9,120'

Cumulative Elevation Gain

2,102'

Cumulative Elevation Loss

148'

Hut to Hut/Betty Bear Hut to Skinner Hut

Total Mileage

4.1

Trailhead Elevation

11,100'

Cumulative Elevation Gain

1,000'

Cumulative Elevation Loss

475'

During the summer, the Betty Bear Hut can be reached from the Fryingpan Valley or from Leadville by driving, hiking, or mountain biking. Good daytrips from the hut include hiking up to Hagerman Pass, fishing in Ivanhoe Lake, or hiking down Trail 1907 to the end of Road 505 and then pick up trails leading up to Fryingpan Lakes or Marten Creek.

Summer Water Source Information
Summer Hut Information PDF

Routes

Hike on Trail/Dirt Road Combo to Betty Bear Hut from Fryingpan Lakes Trailhead via FS Trail 1907

Total Mileage

1.7

Trailhead Elevation

9,964'

Cumulative Elevation Gain

1,136'

4WD High Clearance to Betty Bear Hut from Basalt via FS Rds 105 & 527

Trailhead Elevation

0'

Extreme 4WD High Clearance to Betty Bear Hut from Leadville via FS Rds 105 & 527

Trailhead Elevation

0'

Hut-Specific Weather

Overnight : Snow showers. Cloudy, with a low around 21. West southwest wind 15 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Friday : Snow showers likely before 10am, then snow showers likely and patchy blowing snow between 10am and noon, then snow showers likely and patchy blowing snow and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 34. West southwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Friday Night : Snow showers likely and patchy blowing snow and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 20. West southwest wind 15 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

Saturday : A chance of snow showers before 9am, then a chance of snow showers and patchy blowing snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 38. Southwest wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

Saturday Night : A chance of snow showers before 7pm, then a chance of snow showers and patchy blowing snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22. Southwest wind 20 to 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Sunday : Snow showers likely before 8am, then snow showers likely and patchy blowing snow between 8am and noon, then snow showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 36. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Sunday Night : Snow showers likely and a slight chance of thunderstorms before 8pm, then snow showers likely and patchy blowing snow and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 13. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Monday : Snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 30. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Monday Night : A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 12. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Tuesday : Mostly sunny, with a high near 36.

Tuesday Night : Partly cloudy, with a low around 14.

Wednesday : Sunny, with a high near 42.

Wednesday Night : A slight chance of rain and snow showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 18.

Thursday : A chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 43.

Contents

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.

 

 

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