The Huts > 10th Mountain Division Hut Association > Eiseman Hut
Eiseman Hut
The rugged peaks of Colorado’s Gore Range backdrop the Eiseman Hut, 10th Mountain’s most alpine hostel. Indeed, terrain rules this amazing location: out of the hut door is arguably the best skiing of any 10th hut, and farther afield, tall Colorado alps entice with glistening faces and snow filled couloirs. On top of that, the hut boasts a stunning and unique view of the Vail resort ski slopes.
Built in summer of 1996, Eiseman Hut was funded by Dr. Ben Eiseman and a number of charitable foundations.
Hut Information
Owned By
10th Mountain Division Hut Association
Open
Summer / Winter
Winter Mileage*
6.3
Closest Town
Vail
Hut Elevation
11,180 '
Cumulative Elevation Gain *
2,948'
Layout
2 private bedrooms with double beds, 10 single beds and 1 double bed in a communal sleeping area.
*from Spraddle Creek 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
Visit our Online Booking Platform to search for availability and book this hut.
Location
Official 10th Mountain Division Map
CalTopo
Winter Map : Eiseman Hut Map
View / PrintNational Geographic
Map : Eagles Nest/Holy Cross
USFS
Map : White River National Forest
Trailheads/Routes
The main winter route into the Eiseman Hut follows Spraddle Creek and Middle Creek to the hut. It is one of the more challenging routes in the system because of length and elevation gain but it more than makes up for it with its seclusion and beauty. An alternative is the longer and flatter route up Red Sandstone road. Snowmobiles also travel on the first several miles of Red Sandstone Road – expect and respect all users.
Routes
Eiseman Hut from Spraddle Creek Trailhead/Standard Winter Route
Total Mileage
6.3
Trailhead Elevation
8,580'
Cumulative Elevation Gain
2,948'
Cumulative Elevation Loss
320'
Eiseman Hut from Red Sandstone Trailhead
Total Mileage
8.1
Trailhead Elevation
8,620'
Cumulative Elevation Gain
2,666'
The main summer access to the Eiseman Hut is via Red Sandstone Creek road. Motorized vehicle parking is approximately 1/4 mile from the hut. There are no established summer hiking or biking trails to this hut but hiking or biking the last few miles can be quite pleasant. Vehicle access is never guaranteed to any hut at any time.
For day trips you can hike up the ridge behind the hut or bring a mountain bike and explore the numerous FS roads in the area.
Summer Water Source Information
Summer Hut Information PDF
Routes
4WD High Clearance to Eiseman Hut via FS Rds 700, 786 & 719
Trailhead Elevation
0'
Hut-Specific Weather
This Afternoon : A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 65. West northwest wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Tonight : A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 46. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Tuesday : A slight chance of rain showers before 9am, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 9am and 10am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 10am and noon, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 63. West northwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Tuesday Night : A chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 44. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Wednesday : A slight chance of rain showers before 9am, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny, with a high near 64. South southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Wednesday Night : A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 9pm and midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 45. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Thursday : A chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 67. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Thursday Night : A chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47.
Friday : A slight chance of rain showers before noon, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 65.
Friday Night : A chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 44.
Saturday : Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny, with a high near 63.
Saturday Night : A chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 42.
Sunday : A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 62.
Sunday Night : A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 41.
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.