The Huts > Privately Owned > Vance’s Cabin
Vance’s Cabin
Vance’s Cabin is located on a timbered mountainside near Tennessee Pass. Construction of the cabin began in 1981 and was completed in 1988. The hut is named in honor of one of the original owner’s father Vance Faulkenberg, who was involved in building the cabin using timber from the site.
Hut Information
Owned By
Privately Owned
Open
Winter
Winter Mileage*
3.0
Closest Town
Leadville
Hut Elevation
10,980 '
Cumulative Elevation Gain *
778'
Layout
Upstairs: 4 beds in a loft. Downstairs: 5 single bunk beds (sleeping 10) in a communal sleeping area.
*from Ski Cooper
Amenities
Heat
Wood
Oven
Propane
Refrigeration
No
Water
Snow Melt**
Toilet
Outhouse
Ada Accessible
No
Sauna
No
Fire Ring
No
Grill
No
Dogs
No
Charging
None
Gear Cart
No
** Winter only
Details
- Firewood, starter paper, matches, axes
- Propane for kitchen burners and oven
- Snow collection buckets and large pot for melting snow on wood-burning heat stove
- Coolers for cold food storage
- Pots, pans, potholders, dishware, cooking and eating utensils, percolator or French press, salt & pepper
- Paper towels, dish soap, hand sanitizer, cleaning supplies, trash bags, toilet paper
- Solar powered lights
- Mattresses, pillows
Book This Hut
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Location
Official 10th Mountain Division Map
CalTopo
Winter Map : Continental Divide E/W Map
View / PrintNational Geographic
Map : Eagles Nest/Holy Cross
USFS
Map : White River National Forest
Trailheads/Routes
The suggested route into Vance’s Cabin begins at Ski Cooper and follows rolling terrain and gently climbs to the hut. An alternate choice is to ski in from Camp Hale which is further and requires more climbing and stronger navigation and trailbreaking capabilities.
Routes
Vance's Cabin from Ski Cooper Trailhead/Standard Winter Route
Total Mileage
3.0
Trailhead Elevation
10,480'
Cumulative Elevation Gain
778'
Cumulative Elevation Loss
251'
Vance's Cabin from South Camp Hale
Total Mileage
7.8
Trailhead Elevation
9,280'
Cumulative Elevation Gain
1,891'
Hut to Hut/Vance's Cabin to Jackal Hut via Cataract
Total Mileage
8.4
Trailhead Elevation
10,980'
Cumulative Elevation Gain
2,324'
Cumulative Elevation Loss
1,643'
Hut-Specific Weather
Today : Mostly sunny, with a high near 35. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Tonight : A chance of snow showers after 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 17. South southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.
Sunday : A chance of snow showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 24. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.
Sunday Night : A slight chance of snow showers before 11pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 6. West wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Monday : Sunny, with a high near 30. West wind around 5 mph.
Monday Night : A chance of snow showers after 5am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 14. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Tuesday : A chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 26. 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 7.
Wednesday : Mostly sunny, with a high near 29.
Wednesday Night : Mostly clear, with a low around 12.
Thursday : Sunny, with a high near 35.
Thursday Night : Mostly clear, with a low around 13.
Friday : Sunny, with a high near 36.
Friday Night : Mostly clear, with a low around 17.
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.