The Huts > Privately Owned > Emmelyn Hut

Emmelyn Hut

Emmelyn Hut is the latest addition to the 10th Mountain Hut System. Built and owned by Leadville resident Cannon Shockley, the 10-person hut is memorialized to Shockley’s paternal grandmother, Emmelyn, who was a guiding force in Shockley’s life. The hut also recognizes Shockley’s love of the mountains surrounding his chosen home and pays homage with sweeping views of the Sawatch Range, from Mt. of the Holy Cross to Mt. Elbert, the highest peak among the Colorado Fourteeners.

Situated north of Leadville at 11,150 feet in the East Tennessee Creek drainage, Emmelyn Hut links Sangree’s Hut and Ski Cooper. The unique Al Beyer design utilizes timber frame construction and includes the latest energy efficiency with solar lighting, composting toilets, and a wood-burning stove. The two-level hut faces southwest.

Hut Information

Owned By

Privately Owned

Open

Summer / Winter

Winter Mileage*

3.4

Closest Town

Leadville

Hut Elevation

11,150 '

Cumulative Elevation Gain *

1,164'

Layout

Main level: 1 private bedroom with a double bed. Upstairs: 1 private bedroom with a double bed and a communal sleeping area with 1 double-bed bunk, 1 double bed and 1 single bed.

*from East Tennessee Trailhead

Amenities

Heat

Wood

Oven

Wood

Refrigeration

No

Water

Cistern, Stream*, Snow Melt**

Toilet

Composting Toilet

Ada Accessible

No

Sauna

No

Fire Ring

No

Grill

No

Dogs

No

Charging

USB

Gear Cart

Yes*

* Summer only
** Winter only

Details

  • Firewood, starter paper, matches, axes
  • Propane for kitchen burners
  • Wood-burning heat stove has small oven box
  • Indoor composting toilet, toilet paper
  • 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 or French press, salt & pepper
  • Paper towels, dish soap, hand sanitizer, cleaning supplies, trash bags
  • Solar powered lights and USB charging ports
  • Mattresses, pillows

Book This Hut

Capacity

10

Price

$500/night

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

Location

39.33274, -106.29297

Official 10th Mountain Division Map

CalTopo

Winter Map : Continental Divide E/W + Betty Bear Map

View / Print

National Geographic

Map : Pending

USFS

Map : San Isabel National Forest

Trailheads/Routes

The suggested winter route from the East Tennessee Trailhead is a very pleasant ski or snowshoe as it climbs very gently across the valley floor and proceeds more steeply to the hut. For the first part of the trail, use narrow, short skins if you have them or consider Nordic kick wax. These methods might work for the steeper sections of trail closer to the hut depending on abilities and stubbornness. Wider and longer skins are recommended for day trips from the hut, especially if heading up to Mt. Zion or connecting across to Sangree’s Hut.

Winter Hut Information PDF

Routes

Emmelyn Hut from East Tennessee Trailhead/Standard Winter Route

Total Mileage

3.4

Trailhead Elevation

10,007'

Cumulative Elevation Gain

1,164'

Hut to Hut/Emmelyn Hut to Sangree M. Froelicher Hut

Total Mileage

2.7

Trailhead Elevation

11,150'

Cumulative Elevation Gain

934'

Cumulative Elevation Loss

415'

In summer guests can hike or mountain bike FS Road 102. There are no established summer hiking trails to this hut. If using a vehicle, FS Road 102 is an Extreme 4WD high clearance access road. Vehicle access is never guaranteed to any hut at any time.

Summer Water Source Information
Summer Hut Information PDF

Routes

Hike on Rugged Dirt Road to Emmelyn Hut from East Tennessee Summer Trailhead via FS Rd 102

Total Mileage

3.5

Trailhead Elevation

10,007'

Cumulative Elevation Gain

1,164'

Extreme 4WD High Clearance to Emmelyn Hut via FS Rd 102

Total Mileage

3.25

Trailhead Elevation

10,007'

Cumulative Elevation Gain

1,164'

Hut-Specific Weather

Tonight : A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 9pm and 10pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 45. West northwest wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Tuesday : A slight chance of rain showers between 7am and 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 67. West northwest wind 0 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Tuesday 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. East wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Wednesday : A chance of rain showers before 9am, then showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 67. West southwest wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.

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. South southeast wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Thursday : A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 9am and noon, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. West northwest wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Thursday Night : A chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. West southwest wind around 0 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Friday : Showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 68. Northwest wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Friday Night : A chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. East wind around 0 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Saturday : A slight chance of rain showers before noon, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny, with a high near 66. North wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Saturday Night : A chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 45. Southeast wind around 0 mph.

Sunday : A chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 65. North wind 0 to 5 mph.

Sunday Night : A chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 43. East southeast wind 0 to 5 mph.

Monday : A chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 65. North northwest wind 0 to 5 mph.

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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