June Hut of the Month: Harry Gates Hut

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A Spacious Hut with Big Views and Plentiful Access 

Tucked against the ridges of the Holy Cross Wilderness, Harry Gates Hut stands at the edge of a meadow, overlooking scenic Lime Park.

One of the largest 10th Mountain-owned huts, it offers a spacious design and welcoming atmosphere, reminiscent of a refuge in the Austrian Tyrol.

With a large deck and expansive windows, this hut serves up stunning views of the surrounding wilderness and nearby Avalanche Peak, and incredible mountain sunsets.

Situated at 9,700 feet, it is also one of the lowest-elevation huts in the 10th Mountain Hut System.

 

Honoring a Legacy

 

Built in 1986, Harry Gates Hut was just the fourth structure added to the 10th Mountain Hut System.

The hut was built with funds from the Gates Family Foundation, as a memorial to the late Harry F. Gates—an avid outdoorsman and 10th Mountain Division soldier with a deep love for the mountains.

An infantryman in Company B of the 87th Mountain Infantry Regiment, Gates suffered severe combat injuries while serving in Northern Italy, and was later awarded the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

 

Multiple Access Points, and Many Opportunities for Adventure

 

There are several routes and starting points to access Harry Gates Hut, in both summer and winter.

Summer Access: Visitors can drive from Eagle or the Frying Pan Valley (conditions permitting) and park at the closure gate 1/3 mile from the hut. Alternatively, you can hike in from the Montgomery Flats Trailhead above Basalt.

Winter Access: Hutgoers can reach the hut from either Basalt or Eagle via various backcountry routes, ranging in length and difficulty.

The standard winter route from Montgomery Flats Trailhead is 6.1 miles long with just under 2,000 feet of elevation gain—making it an excellent intermediate tour.

For details on all available routes for both seasons, visit the ‘Trailheads/Routes’ section of the Harry Gates Hut page.

The area around Harry Gates Hut also offers plenty of day-trip adventures!

In the summer, hiking trails head out in all directions, from Tellurium Park, to Burnt Mountain, to Woods Lake. Fishing enthusiasts can check out Crooked Creek Reservoir; and Lime Park is renowned for its fantastic limestone rock climbing.

For winter day touring, Burnt Mountain offers good backcountry skiing and wonderful Elk Range views, while Tellurium Park is a great option for classic cross-country touring.

 

Hut Amenities

 

Harry Gates Hut sleeps up to 16 guests across a spacious, two-story layout.

The bottom level offers four single beds in a communal sleeping area, and a private bedroom with a double bed. Upstairs, there are two private bedrooms with one double bed each, and another communal sleeping area with six single beds. Windows are plentiful throughout the hut, so there’s no shortage of views!

 

Book Your Trip to Harry Gates Hut Today!

 

Harry Gates Hut is currently open for bookings, through next winter season.

This hut is booked by the space, for $40/person/night (with a 50% discount for children 12 and under). You can view current hut availability here, and make reservation through our online booking platform here.