The Huts > 10th Mountain Division Hut Association > Uncle Bud’s Hut

Uncle Bud’s Hut

Uncle Bud’s Hut, owned by 10th Mountain, is similar in aspect and construction to the 10th Mountain Division Hut. Views from the south window-wall include a panorama of 14,421-foot Mount Massive and the bare pate of Bald Eagle Mountain. The hut was built as a memorial to 10th Mountain Division veteran Bud Winter (1925-1945), who was killed in action in Italy during World War II, and was one of 33 soldiers who completed the legendary “trooper traverse” winter ski crossing from Leadville to Aspen in February of 1944. Funds for the hut were given by Bud’s brother, Dr. Fred Winter. His sister Laura contributed the proceeds from her poetry book Laura’s Lines.

This hut, combined with the Skinner Hut and BettyBear Hut, allows travel over Hagerman Pass to the Frying Pan drainage, thus forming a huge loop that strong skiers can enjoy. Uncle Bud’s Hut is very accessible from Leadville via a moderate trailhead-to-hut route from Turquoise Lake. Use this route to reach the hut quickly, then spend a few days base skiing. Or if you’re learning backcountry skiing, use this route as a step on your ladder of learning.

Hut Information

Owned By

10th Mountain Division Hut Association

Open

Summer / Winter

Winter Mileage*

5.9

Closest Town

Leadville

Hut Elevation

11,380 '

Cumulative Elevation Gain *

1,694'

Layout

Upstairs: 2 bedrooms, 1 with 6 beds, 1 with 4 beds, and a communal sleeping area with 7 single mattresses.

*from Turquoise Lake Trailhead

Amenities

Heat

Wood

Oven

Wood

Refrigeration

No

Water

Cistern, Stream*, Snow Melt**

Toilet

Outhouse

Ada Accessible

No

Sauna

No

Fire Ring

Yes*

Grill

No

Dogs

No

Charging

None

Gear Cart

Yes*

* Summer only
** Winter only

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 well-fed cistern (suggested use of cistern water is for drinking if filtered or cleaning)
  • 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

$40/person/night*
*Children 12 & Under 50% Off

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

Location

39.301361, -106.405502

Official 10th Mountain Division Map

CalTopo

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

View / Print

National Geographic

Map : Holy Cross/Ruedi Reservoir; Eagles Nest/Holy Cross;

USFS

Map : San Isabel National Forest

Trailheads/Routes

Uncle Bud’s Hut is very accessible from Leadville via a moderate trailhead-to-hut route from Turquoise Lake. The straight forward route finding and steady road grades make for a moderate ski in to this beautiful hut. Use this route to reach the hut quickly, then spend a few days base skiing. Or if you’re learning backcountry skiing, use this route as a step on your ladder of learning. This hut, combined with the Skinner Hut and Betty Bear Hut, allows travel over Hagerman Pass to the Frying Pan drainage, thus forming a huge loop that strong skiers can enjoy.

Winter Hut Information PDF

Routes

Uncle Bud's Hut from Turquoise Lake Trailhead/Standard Winter Route

Total Mileage

5.9

Trailhead Elevation

9,760'

Cumulative Elevation Gain

1,694'

Hut to Hut/Uncle Bud's Hut to Skinner Hut

Total Mileage

6.3

Trailhead Elevation

11,380'

Cumulative Elevation Gain

2,081'

Cumulative Elevation Loss

1,823'

Hut to Hut/Uncle Bud's Hut to 10th Mountain Hut

Total Mileage

7.1

Trailhead Elevation

11,380'

Cumulative Elevation Gain

1,432'

Cumulative Elevation Loss

1,436'

You can access Uncle Bud’s during the summer by driving around Turquoise Lake and taking FS Road 107 to the summer closure gate approximately 1/4 mile from the hut. For a more scenic approach you can hike in along the Colorado Trail from the Timberline Lake trailhead at the west end of Turquoise Lake. Vehicle access is never guaranteed to any hut at any time.

The Colorado Trail runs right near Uncle Bud’s Hut and provides beautiful hiking in either direction. Galena Mountain also makes a beautiful destination hike. For a longer day of hiking and you can head down the Colorado Trail southwest to the Timberline Lake trailhead and hike back up to the lake for some excellent fishing.

Summer Water Source Information
Summer Hut Information PDF

Routes

4WD High Clearance to Uncle Bud's Hut via FS Rd 107

Hut-Specific Weather

Today : Mostly sunny, with a high near 30. West wind 10 to 15 mph. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

Tonight : A chance of snow showers after 7pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 13. Wind chill values as low as -5. West southwest wind 15 to 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Sunday : A chance of snow showers before 5pm, then patchy blowing snow and a slight chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 19. Wind chill values as low as -5. West wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Sunday Night : Patchy blowing snow and a slight chance of snow showers before 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 5. Wind chill values as low as -13. West wind 15 to 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Monday : Sunny, with a high near 29. West wind 10 to 15 mph.

Monday Night : A chance of snow showers after 5am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 13. West southwest wind 15 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Tuesday : A chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 23. West wind around 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

Tuesday Night : A chance of snow showers before 5am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 6. West wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Wednesday : Mostly sunny, with a high near 28. West wind 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday Night : Mostly clear, with a low around 10. West southwest wind around 10 mph.

Thursday : Sunny, with a high near 31. West wind around 10 mph.

Thursday Night : Mostly clear, with a low around 12. West northwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Friday : Sunny, with a high near 33. West wind 5 to 10 mph.

Friday Night : Mostly clear, with a low around 14. West southwest wind 5 to 10 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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