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
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Location
Official 10th Mountain Division Map
CalTopo
Winter Map : Continental Divide E/W + Betty Bear Map
View / PrintNational 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.
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
4.2
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
Total Mileage
49
Extreme 4WD High Clearance to Betty Bear Hut from Leadville via FS Rds 105 & 527
Total Mileage
25
Hut-Specific Weather
Overnight : Partly cloudy, with a low around 13. West southwest wind around 5 mph.
Saturday : Sunny, with a high near 40. West southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Saturday Night : Mostly clear, with a low around 11. West southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday : Mostly sunny, with a high near 37. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night : A chance of snow showers after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 16. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.
Monday : Snow showers. Cloudy, with a high near 30. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Monday Night : A chance of snow showers before 5am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 10. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of around one inch possible.
Tuesday : Mostly sunny, with a high near 33.
Tuesday Night : A chance of snow showers after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 14. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.
Christmas Day : Snow showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 29. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.
Wednesday Night : A chance of snow showers before 5am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 8. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.
Thursday : A chance of snow showers after 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 30.
Thursday Night : Snow showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 11. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Friday : Snow showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 26. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.
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.