The Huts > Privately Owned > Polar Star Inn & Seipel Hut > Polar Star Inn
Polar Star Inn & Seipel Hut Polar Star Inn
Polar Star Inn is a privately owned backcountry hut, booked by 10th Mountain. Built in 1987, the Inn is a unique, tall-standing structure with a large deck that looks west over the Colorado Plateau: a sunset watcher’s paradise. There are six private bedrooms and (limited) running water that makes kitchen work a snap. Located just below timberline at 11,040′ it offers access to excellent skiing and hiking on New York Mountain, and access to the rugged Holy Cross Wilderness. Next door is the Seipel Hut, which is booked separately but often used in conjunction with the Polar Star Inn for larger parties needing additional capacity.
Hut Information
Owned By
Privately Owned
Open
Summer / Winter
Winter Mileage*
5.7
Closest Town
Eagle
Hut Elevation
11,040 '
Cumulative Elevation Gain *
2,341'
Layout
Main Level: 1 bedroom with a bunk bed (2 singles), 1 bedroom with a double bed. Upstairs: 4 single beds in a communal sleeping area, 2 bedrooms that each have a double bed, 1 bedroom with a double bed and a single bed, 1 bedroom with 2 double beds.
*from Yeoman Park Trailhead (Winter)
Amenities
Heat
Wood
Oven
Propane
Refrigeration
No
Water
Spring Fed
Toilet
Outhouse, Covered Walkway
Ada Accessible
No
Sauna
Yes
Fire Ring
Yes*
Grill
Yes
Dogs
No
Charging
None
Gear Cart
Yes*
* Summer only
Details
- Firewood, starter paper, matches, axes
- Propane for lights, kitchen burners and oven, grill on deck
- The cistern is spring fed. Running water is not a guarantee, snow melt in winter, or filling jugs from a hydrant in summer may be required.
- Attached outhouse, toilet paper
- Shared wood-fired sauna year-round, located in separate building between Polar Star and Seipel Hut
- Shared firepit summer only, located in-between Polar Star and Seipel Hut
- Pots, pans, potholders, dishware, cooking and eating utensils, percolator or French press, salt & pepper
- Paper towels, dish soap, hand sanitizer, cleaning supplies, trash bags
- 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 : Charles Peak N/S Map
View / PrintNational Geographic
Map : Eagles Nest/Holy Cross; Eagle/Avon
USFS
Map : White River National Forest
Trailheads/Routes
The most common route into the Polar Star Inn follows the Newcomer Spring route to just above Fulford at Nolan Creek, and from there, another 1,000 ft climb to the hut. In case of low snow conditions it is also possible to take Fulford Road (which is used by snowmobile traffic) from Yeoman Park to the Nolan Creek turnoff at Fulford, and from there follow the final 1,000 vert of single track. Navigation can be tricky on either route due to old abandoned roads and jeep trails so keep your map and compass handy and watch for the blue diamonds marking the routes.
The other route into Polar Star leaves from West Lake Creek south of Edwards. This route is less traveled and passes through a wilderness area so route finding can be more challenging. This route is also longer and gains more elevation than the routes from Yeoman Park so it is best attempted by more experienced backcountry travelers.
IMPORTANT HUT TRIP INFORMATION for MAY and JUNE RESERVATIONS: Travel conditions during May and June are highly variable. Suggested routes may be entirely snow covered, partially covered, muddy or dry. Be prepared to hike and carry skis with skins or snowshoes. Get an early start! Travelling early in the day is generally easier and faster because colder temperatures create a firmer surface. As temperatures rise, this surface changes and travel can become challenging and slow. The USFS closure gate at Yeoman Park is closed until May 21 regardless of conditions, and may remain closed after that date depending on conditions. Once open, the upper sections of the road may still be impassable through the end of June, high clearance 4 wheel drive is suggested. Call 970.925.5775 for the latest field reports.
Routes
Polar Star Inn from Yeoman Park Trailhead via Newcomer Spring/Standard Winter Route
Total Mileage
5.7
Trailhead Elevation
9,060'
Cumulative Elevation Gain
2,341'
Cumulative Elevation Loss
356'
Polar Star Inn from Yeoman Park Trailhead via Fulford Road
Total Mileage
5.8
Trailhead Elevation
9,060'
Cumulative Elevation Gain
2,116'
Cumulative Elevation Loss
122'
Polar Star Inn from West Lake Creek Trailhead via Holy Cross Wilderness
Total Mileage
6.9
Trailhead Elevation
8,220'
Cumulative Elevation Gain
3,076'
Cumulative Elevation Loss
276'
Hut to Hut/Polar Star Inn to Peter Estin Hut via Ironedge Trail
Total Mileage
7.5
Trailhead Elevation
11,040'
Cumulative Elevation Gain
2,275'
Cumulative Elevation Loss
2,133'
Hut to Hut/Polar Star Inn to Peter Estin via Hat Creek Road
Total Mileage
13.0
Trailhead Elevation
11,040'
Cumulative Elevation Gain
2,348'
Cumulative Elevation Loss
2,203'
During the summer the most common access to the Polar Star Inn is driving up the Fulford Road (Forest Road 418) to the summer closure gate approximately 1/4 mile from the hut. This road requires careful driving of a high clearance 4WD vehicle. If you prefer to hike, the Newcomer Spring route is the most commonly used access. Bikes are best served to ride the road access. Hiking in from West Lake Creek is also possible during the summer and there have been some recent improvements to this trail, but route finding challenges still exist on this lightly traveled route, and large downed trees are a common occurrence. Vehicle access is never guaranteed to any hut at any time.
Once at the Polar Star Inn, you can hike to the top of New York Peak or pick up the Nolan Lakes Trail for a beautiful hike to a high alpine basin. There are many areas of the Holy Cross Wilderness to explore, including access to the rugged, austere, and lightly traveled Gold Dust Basin and New York Lake
Summer Water Source Information
Summer Hut Information PDF
IMPORTANT HUT TRIP INFORMATION for MAY and JUNE RESERVATIONS: Travel conditions during May and June are highly variable. Suggested routes may be entirely snow covered, partially covered, muddy or dry. Be prepared to hike and carry skis with skins or snowshoes. Get an early start! Travelling early in the day is generally easier and faster because colder temperatures create a firmer surface. As temperatures rise, this surface changes and travel can become challenging and slow. The USFS closure gate at Yeoman Park is closed until May 21 regardless of conditions, and may remain closed after that date depending on conditions. Once open, the upper sections of the road may still be impassable through the end of June, high clearance 4 wheel drive is suggested. Call 970.925.5775 for the latest field reports.
Routes
4WD High Clearance to Polar Star Inn via FS Road 418
Total Mileage
8.6
Trailhead Elevation
9,060'
Cumulative Elevation Gain
2,242'
Hike on Dirt Road/Trail Combo to Polar Star Inn & Seipel Hut from West Lake Creek Trailhead
Total Mileage
8.5
Trailhead Elevation
8,220'
Cumulative Elevation Gain
3,452'
Hut-Specific Weather
Overnight : Mostly clear, with a low around 14. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday : Sunny, with a high near 31. West southwest wind 10 to 15 mph.
Sunday Night : Snow showers after 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 11. West southwest wind around 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
Monday : Snow showers. Cloudy, with a high near 11. West northwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.
Monday Night : Snow showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 3. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Tuesday : A chance of snow showers before 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 9. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.
Tuesday Night : Mostly clear, with a low around 4.
Wednesday : Mostly sunny, with a high near 23.
Wednesday Night : Partly cloudy, with a low around 11.
Thursday : A slight chance of snow showers after 5pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 28.
Thursday Night : A slight chance of snow showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 14.
Friday : A slight chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 27.
Friday Night : A slight chance of snow showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 14.
Saturday : A slight chance of snow showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 26.
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.