The Huts > 10th Mountain Division Hut Association > Skinner Hut
Skinner Hut
Owned by 10th Mountain, Skinner Hut breaks from common design by having only one story. The Continental Divide is close by, as are plenty of other options for high routes and ski descents. A superb view from the hut’s east windows includes the 14,036-foot summit of Mount Sherman in the Mosquito Mountains east of Leadville. Skinner Hut is named in honor of William Wood Skinner, 10th Mountain Division veteran. Funding was donated by Skinner’s sister Elizabeth Guenzel, with construction completed in 1990.
Hut Information
Owned By
10th Mountain Division Hut Association
Open
Summer / Winter
Winter Mileage*
10.8
Closest Town
Leadville
Hut Elevation
11,620 '
Cumulative Elevation Gain *
2,678'
Layout
3 small rooms with double beds, additional 10 beds in communal sleeping area.
*from Turquoise Lake 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)
- Hand pump in kitchen sink dispenses water from roof-top cistern (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 : Continental Divide E/W + Betty Bear Map
View / PrintNational Geographic
Map : Eagles Nest/Holy Cross; Holy Cross/Ruedi Reservoir
USFS
Map : San Isabel National Forest
Trailheads/Routes
Because of steep terrain and possible avalanche danger, no route to the Skinner Hut is moderate. Indeed, more than one party has realized that the hut’s name comes close to that of an essential piece of equipment for every route to the hut: climbing skins. The Glacier Creek route is the most popular ascent to the Skinner Hut, but involves an extremely steep climb and descent. Busk Creek has easier skiing, but involves more route-finding and distance. These are the longest ski in to any of our huts and much of the climbing comes in the last 3 miles. Hut users should start early and be prepared for a long day. Narrow, short skins or Nordic kick wax is recommended for the ski around Turquoise Lake. Skiing from the Skinner Hut to Betty Bear Hut via Hagerman Pass is relatively benign, but does involve plenty of travel above treeline where wind and whiteouts can foil the best mountaineers.
Routes
Skinner Hut from Turquoise Lake Trailhead via Glacier Creek/Standard Winter Route
Total Mileage
10.8
Trailhead Elevation
9,760'
Cumulative Elevation Gain
2,678'
Cumulative Elevation Loss
816'
Hut to Hut/Skinner Hut to Betty Bear Hut
Total Mileage
4.2
Trailhead Elevation
11,100'
Cumulative Elevation Gain
475'
Cumulative Elevation Loss
1,000'
Hut to Hut/Skinner Hut to Uncle Bud's Hut
Total Mileage
6.3
Trailhead Elevation
11,620'
Cumulative Elevation Gain
1,823'
Cumulative Elevation Loss
2,082'
The Skinner Hut sits just off Hagerman Pass Road (FS 105) and that is the most common access during the summer. There are no established hiking trails connecting this hut. Vehicle access is never guaranteed to any hut at any time.
There is not a lot of hiking around the Skinner Hut but there are some old railroad tunnels and remnants of the old Basalt/Midland Railroad south of the hut. For a long day trip you could attempt a high alpine hike all the way to the summit of Mt. Massive.
Summer Water Source Information
Summer Hut Information PDF
Routes
Extreme 4WD High Clearance to Skinner Hut from Basalt via FS Rd 105 (aka Hagerman Pass Rd)
Extreme 4WD High Clearance to Skinner Hut from Leadville via FS Rd 105 (aka Hagerman Pass Rd)
Hut-Specific Weather
Today : Sunny, with a high near 41. West southwest wind 10 to 15 mph.
Tonight : Mostly clear, with a low around 18. South southwest wind 10 to 15 mph.
Friday : Sunny, with a high near 39. South southwest wind 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph.
Friday Night : A slight chance of snow showers after 5am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 12. Wind chill values as low as -3. Southwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Saturday : A slight chance of snow showers before 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 26. West wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Saturday Night : Partly cloudy, with a low around 7. West southwest wind around 5 mph.
Sunday : Sunny, with a high near 29. West southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night : Mostly clear, with a low around 9. West wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday : A chance of snow showers after 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 29. West northwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.
Monday Night : Snow showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 7. West northwest wind around 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Tuesday : Snow showers likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 16. West northwest wind around 15 mph. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Tuesday Night : A chance of snow showers before 5am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 1. West northwest wind around 15 mph. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.
Wednesday : Mostly sunny, with a high near 19. West northwest wind around 15 mph.
Wednesday Night : Partly cloudy, with a low around 6. West northwest wind around 15 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.