Skinner Hut

Route Description

Begin at the Turquoise Lake Trailhead. Ski or walk west up the main Turquoise Lake road and continue on the main road around the lake. This well defined road gradually climbs while paralleling the north shore of the lake. At 5 miles from the trailhead you’ll hit the road’s nondescript high point (10,680 feet). Continue on the road for another 2 1/2 miles of level sections and gradual downhills past the west end of Turquoise Lake. Here you must find the start of the Glacier Creek route for Skinner Hut (which begins at the same point as the trail to Timberline Lake). For positive identification of the Glacier Creek trail, remember that the trail leaves the road at the upper north end of a curve that turns from west to south. The Glacier Creek trail is marked with blue diamonds. You’ll see a Forest Service trailhead marker after you start up the trail that indicates Timberline Lake Trail, but the marker can’t be seen from the road.

After leaving the Turquoise Lake Road, follow the Glacier Creek route as it stays in the valley for a short distance, then bears left and follows a distinct cut through the forest. Soon you’ll be on a steep climb through small clearings and timber, then break into a large clearing at 10,760 feet. This is called the Lunch Spot. Take a rest so you’re ready for the next section of trail— steep climbing ahead! Continue upvalley from the Lunch Spot across open flats. Enter the woods again at the upper end of the last clearing. From here the trail climbs steeply up the apex of the drainage, eventually reaching a small clearing at 11,400 feet. This is where the real challenge begins.

Cross the bottom end of the clearing (one at a time for possible avalanche danger), then follow a series of steep sidehill switchbacks that climb through forest to the Hagerman Pass Road at 11,600 feet. Turn left (E), ski the road a short distance, then follow a well-marked blue diamond trail a short distance to the hut. If you miss the blue diamonds the road-cut is obvious, but skiing the road will take you past the hut if you’re not careful. The Skinner Hut is located a few hundred feet north of Hagerman Pass Road at 11,620 feet. You can not see the hut from the road.

Locations of Observed or Reported Avalanche Activity: No avalanche activity has been reported along this suggested route.

Trailhead Directions

Transportation

Route Description

HUT TO HUT distances are usually longer than from trailhead to hut. Use winter specific topographic maps. Routes between huts are not often used so may not be tracked; navigation and breaking trail may be particularly challenging.

This is the standard connection between the Skinner Hut and Betty Bear Hut. Travel the suggested route west along the ridge for 1/4 mile until you get onto Hagerman pass road and follow it as it climbs to the summit of Hagerman Pass. Take the road down the west side of the pass for 1/4 mile to 11,800 feet. Leave the road here and take a dropping traverse southest to the Hagerman Tunnel portal (11,520 feet). Follow a snow-covered road southwest then west from the portal as it traverses around the head of the drainage to an open saddle at 11,400 feet. Continue west from the saddle downhill 1 mile to Lily Pad Lake. Ski northwest along the west side of the lake, then swing west for 1/8 mile through timber to Betty Bear Hut at 11,100 feet.

Much of this route is at or above timberline. Be ready for limited visibility due to storm and wind.

Locations of Observed or Reported Avalanche Activity: No avalanche activity has been reported along this suggested route.

Transportation

Route Description

HUT TO HUT distances are usually longer than from trailhead to hut. Use winter specific topographic maps. Routes between huts are not often used so may not be tracked; navigation and breaking trail may be particularly challenging.

For the Colorado Trail route: Follow the recommended and marked route down Glacier Creek (see above). At the 10,040-foot level in lower Glacier Creek take extra care to stick with the marked 10th Mountain route (blue diamonds). As the trail nears the creek, find the intersection of the Main Range/Colorado Trail with the Glacier Creek trail. This intersection is well marked, but many parties miss it because they don’t pay attention to map and altimeter.

Follow the Main Range/Colorado Trail as it climbs out of Glacier Creek via an easterly traverse, then climbs N and NE through timber to timberline at 11,400 feet on the south ridge of Galena Mountain. The trail descends through glades from here to 11,200 feet, then takes a more gradual descent for 1/4 mile past the south edge of a small lake. Pass this lake and climb a short hill to pass between the two Galena Lakes. From Galena Lakes ski the Main Range/Colorado Trail through a flat marshy area and climb for 1/4 mile to 11,240 feet. Swing E here through timber and make a short drop into Bud’s Gulch, the watered drainage just west of Uncle Bud’s Hut. Climb E up a short hill several hundred yards to the hut at 11,380 feet.

Use your map, compass, altimeter—and guidebook! Remember that wilderness trails are marked with tree blazes rather than blue plastic diamonds.

Locations of Observed or Reported Avalanche Activity: No avalanche activity has been reported along this suggested route.

Transportation

Route Description

Extreme 4WD High Clearance Access/SKINNER HUT FROM BASALT:

Starting from the intersection of Two Rivers Road and Midland Avenue in Basalt, the drive to the Skinner Hut is approximately 47.4 miles via Frying Pan Road (CR 4) and the Hagerman Pass Road (FS Road 105).

Begin by heading northeast on Midland Avenue towards Basalt Center Circle for about 0.3 miles. The road will then continue onto Frying Pan Road (CR 4). Follow Frying Pan Road (CR 4) for approximately 32 miles, at which point the road takes a large turn and the Frying Pan Road becomes the Hagerman Pass Road (FS Road 105). The surface switches from pavement to dirt. Continue on the now dirt Hagerman Pass Road for about 10 more miles until you reach the junction of Hagerman Pass Road (FS Road 105) and Ivanhoe Lake Road (FS Road 527). Make a slight left to stay on the Hagerman Pass Road and continue for another 5.1 miles to the Skinner Hut parking.

Skinner Hut parking will be on your left. The walk from the parking and closure gate to the hut is about 50 yards, gear carts are available. Return after use unless you have booked the whole hut.

Lodging

Transportation

Route Description

Extreme 4WD High Clearance Access/SKINNER HUT FROM LEADVILLE (South Side of Turquoise Lake):

From downtown Leadville, turn off of Harrison Avenue, heading W on West 6th St for .8 miles. Turn right onto County Road 4 (McWethy Drive) and drive 2.6 miles. Take a slight right to stay on County Road 4 for another 4.3 miles to the intersection of County Road 4 and the Hagerman Pass Road (FS Road 105). Take a left onto Hagerman Pass Road (FS Road 105). Continue on the Hagerman Pass Road for 6.9 miles, Skinner Hut parking will be on your right. The walk from the parking to the hut is about 50 yards, gear carts are available. Return after use unless you have booked the whole hut.

Transportation