Jackal Hut

Jackal Hut

Located near timberline in an area used by 10th Mountain troops during their war training in the 1940s, Jackal Hut has good nearby skiing and terrific views of several stunning 14,000-foot peaks. The hut was built with money donated by Jack Schuss and Al Zesiger, two strong supporters of 10th Mountain (the name is an eponymous combo of Jack-Al).

Layout and capacity: Two-level hut with four distinct sleeping areas Upstairs: 1 room with 3 single beds, 1 room with 4 single beds, and 10 single beds in a communal sleeping area. Main level: Seating cushions can accommodate up to six people Capacity 16.

Hut Location: Jackal Hut is the eastern most hut owned by 10th Mountain Divison Hut Association. It is located in central Colorado, on the western slope of the Continental Divide about 15 miles north of the city of Leadville at 11,660'. It is the closest hut to the Camp Hale site, where the 10th Mountain Division soldiers did most of their training during the Second World War.[locator map]

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

Maps:

Dates Open: Summer: July 1st through September 30th. Winter: Thanksgiving through 30 April

Owned By: 10th Mountain Division Hut Association Oven: woodburning Sauna: No

The main winter route into the Jackal Hut follows FS 755 which climbs very steeply out of South Camp Hale. Although this route is only 4.7 miles it gains over 2500ft of elevation so be prepared for steep climb.

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

  • Trailhead: South Camp Hale, Elevation: 9,280' Route:Via Ranch Creek Road (FS 755). Full Route Description Total Mileage: 4.7
  • Trailhead: Vance's Cabin, Elevation: 10,980' Route: Via 10th Mountain marked ski trail Full Route Description Total Mileage: 8.5
  • Trailhead: Vance's Cabin, Elevation: 10,980' Route: Via 10th Mountain marked ski trail and Ranch Ceek Road Full Route DescriptionTotal Mileage: 10.3
  • Trailhead: Fowler-Hilliard Hut, Elevation: 11,500' Route: Via 10th Mountain marked ski trail and Pearl Creek Full Route Description Total Mileage: 7.8

The main summer access to the Jackal Hut is by hiking, biking or driving up FS 755. Motorized vehicle must park at the summer closure gate approximately 1/4 mile from the hut. There is no established summer hiking trail to this hut. Be aware that this road is very steep and rough and not recommended for vehicle access. The other route in is driving up FS Road 715 to where it ends, about 1.5 miles from the hut, and then hiking in on an abandoned jeep trail from there. Vehicle access is never guaranteed to any hut at any time.

For day hikes around the Jackal Hut you best bet is to explore Chicago Ridge and keep an eye out for old machine gun nests and relics from when the area was used to train the 10th Mountain Division troops

Click here for summer water source information

Summer Trail Access

  • Trailhead: South Camp Hale, Elevation: 9,280' Route:Via FS 714 and FS 755 (extreme 4WD road). Total Mileage: 3.8
  • Trailhead:Fowler-Hilliard Hut Elevation: 11,500' Route: Via FS 751, FS 702, FS 714, FS 755Total Mileage: 13.1
  • Trailhead:Fowler-Hilliard Hut Elevation: 11,500' Route: Via FS 751, FS 702, FS 715Total Mileage: 9.4
  • Trailhead:Vance's Cabin Elevation: 10,980' Route: Via FS 731, Hwy 24, FS 755Total Mileage: 9.3