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

Capacity

16

Price

$37/person/night*
*Children 12 & Under 50% Off

Visit our Online Booking Platform to search for availability and book this hut.

Location

39.696358, -106.351952

Official 10th Mountain Division Map

CalTopo

Winter Map : Eiseman Hut Map

View / Print

National 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.

Winter Hut Information PDF

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

Hut-Specific Weather

Overnight : Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. West wind around 5 mph.

Saturday : Mostly sunny, with a high near 54. West wind 5 to 10 mph.

Saturday Night : Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. South southwest wind around 5 mph.

Sunday : Mostly sunny, with a high near 54. Southwest wind around 5 mph.

Sunday Night : Partly cloudy, with a low around 35. South southwest wind around 5 mph.

Columbus Day : A slight chance of rain showers after 3pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 52.

Monday Night : Mostly clear, with a low around 34.

Tuesday : A slight chance of rain and snow showers after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 52.

Tuesday Night : A slight chance of snow showers before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 33.

Wednesday : A slight chance of snow showers after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 48.

Wednesday Night : Partly cloudy, with a low around 32.

Thursday : A slight chance of snow showers after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 45.

Thursday Night : A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

Friday : A chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 39. New snow accumulation of less than one inch 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.

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