The Huts > Privately Owned > Emmelyn Hut
Emmelyn Hut
Emmelyn Hut is the latest addition to the 10th Mountain Hut System. Built and owned by Leadville resident Cannon Shockley, the 10-person hut is memorialized to Shockley’s paternal grandmother, Emmelyn, who was a guiding force in Shockley’s life. The hut also recognizes Shockley’s love of the mountains surrounding his chosen home and pays homage with sweeping views of the Sawatch Range, from Mt. of the Holy Cross to Mt. Elbert, the highest peak among the Colorado Fourteeners.
Situated north of Leadville at 11,150 feet in the East Tennessee Creek drainage, Emmelyn Hut links Sangree’s Hut and Ski Cooper. The unique Al Beyer design utilizes timber frame construction and includes the latest energy efficiency with solar lighting, composting toilets, and a wood-burning stove. The two-level hut faces southwest.
Hut Information
Owned By
Privately Owned
Open
Summer / Winter
Winter Mileage*
3.4
Closest Town
Leadville
Hut Elevation
11,150 '
Cumulative Elevation Gain *
1,164'
Layout
Main level: 1 private bedroom with a double bed. Upstairs: 1 private bedroom with a double bed and a communal sleeping area with 1 double-bed bunk, 1 double bed and 1 single bed.
*from East Tennessee Trailhead
Amenities
Heat
Wood
Oven
Wood
Refrigeration
No
Water
Cistern, Stream*, Snow Melt**
Toilet
Composting Toilet
Ada Accessible
No
Sauna
No
Fire Ring
No
Grill
No
Dogs
No
Charging
USB
Gear Cart
Yes*
* Summer only
** Winter only
Details
- Firewood, starter paper, matches, axes
- Propane for kitchen burners
- Wood-burning heat stove has small oven box
- Indoor composting toilet, toilet paper
- 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 or French press, salt & pepper
- Paper towels, dish soap, hand sanitizer, cleaning supplies, trash bags
- Solar powered lights and USB charging ports
- Mattresses, pillows
Book This Hut
Visit our Online Booking Platform to search for availability and book this hut.
Location
Official 10th Mountain Division Map
CalTopo
Winter Map : Continental Divide E/W + Betty Bear Map
View / PrintNational Geographic
Map : Pending
USFS
Map : San Isabel National Forest
Trailheads/Routes
The suggested winter route from the East Tennessee Trailhead is a very pleasant ski or snowshoe as it climbs very gently across the valley floor and proceeds more steeply to the hut. For the first part of the trail, use narrow, short skins if you have them or consider Nordic kick wax. These methods might work for the steeper sections of trail closer to the hut depending on abilities and stubbornness. Wider and longer skins are recommended for day trips from the hut, especially if heading up to Mt. Zion or connecting across to Sangree’s Hut.
Routes
Emmelyn Hut from East Tennessee Trailhead/Standard Winter Route
Total Mileage
3.4
Trailhead Elevation
10,007'
Cumulative Elevation Gain
1,164'
Hut to Hut/Emmelyn Hut to Sangree M. Froelicher Hut
Total Mileage
2.7
Trailhead Elevation
11,150'
Cumulative Elevation Gain
934'
Cumulative Elevation Loss
415'
In summer guests can hike or mountain bike FS Road 102. There are no established summer hiking trails to this hut. If using a vehicle, FS Road 102 is an Extreme 4WD high clearance access road. Vehicle access is never guaranteed to any hut at any time.
Summer Water Source Information
Summer Hut Information PDF
Routes
Hike on Dirt Road to Emmelyn Hut from East Tennessee Summer Trailhead via FS Rd 102
Total Mileage
3.5
Trailhead Elevation
10,007'
Cumulative Elevation Gain
1,164'
Extreme 4WD High Clearance to Emmelyn Hut via FS Rd 102
Total Mileage
3.25
Trailhead Elevation
10,007'
Cumulative Elevation Gain
1,164'
Hut-Specific Weather
Tonight : Snow showers likely and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 28. West northwest wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.
Friday : A chance of snow showers before noon, then snow showers and a chance of thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 43. West northwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.
Friday Night : Snow showers and a chance of thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 26. South southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
Saturday : Snow showers and a chance of thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 40. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches possible.
Saturday Night : Snow showers and a chance of thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 25. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.
Sunday : Snow showers before noon, then snow showers and a chance of thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 41. West northwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Sunday Night : A chance of snow showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. West wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Monday : Partly sunny, with a high near 46. West wind 10 to 20 mph.
Monday Night : Partly cloudy, with a low around 27. West southwest wind 10 to 15 mph.
Tuesday : A slight chance of snow showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms between noon and 1pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 52. West southwest wind 10 to 15 mph.
Tuesday Night : Mostly clear, with a low around 29. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph.
Wednesday : A slight chance of rain showers after noon. Sunny, with a high near 56. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph.
Wednesday Night : A slight chance of rain showers before 7pm, then a slight chance of rain and snow showers between 7pm and midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 32. South southwest wind around 10 mph.
Thursday : A chance of rain showers after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 59. South southwest wind 10 to 15 mph.
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.