Barnard Hut from Top of Aspen Mountain (Sundeck Restaurant)

Total Mileage

7.2

Trailhead Elevation

11,212'

Route Description

Warning: The Alfred A. Braun Huts and Friends' Hut are located in areas of serious avalanche terrain with recurring avalanche cycles. Routes to and between the huts are not marked or maintained.

A note on Braun and Friends’ Route Descriptions: These descriptions are overviews and general in nature and intended for trip planning purposes. They generally describe the frequently used routes from the trailhead and not such routes between the huts, which may or may not overlap these routes. These descriptions are no replacement for the use of proper mountain navigation tools and skills, such as maps, GPS devices, compasses and the like. Navigation in poor weather or darkness has added challenges. These frequently used routes have been developed over the years by users. Given the mountainous terrain and severe avalanche hazard, all such routes are subject to objective hazards that cannot be avoided. The route selections to access the huts are generally limited by terrain. There can be user choices within such routes that may reduce but not eliminate such hazards.

Most Frequent Route Description:

  • Distance: 7.2 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 1600ft
  • The most frequented route to the Barnard Hut starts from the top of the Gondola and the Sundeck Restaurant on the Aspen Mountain Ski Area (11,212’) and follows the rolling Richmond Hill Road South for 7.2 miles. The Barnard Hut is located on a forested knoll to the North of McArthur Mtn. This route crosses a snowcat skiing operation and areas popular with snowmobilers. Various tracks and trails may intersect and may proceed along the main road. This route is continually exposed to serious backcountry avalanche terrain and involves difficult above tree-line travel that can present extreme navigational challenges and exposure especially in poor weather and darkness.

Trailhead Directions

BARNARD HUT/GONDOLA FOOT PASSENGER TICKET: If approaching the Barnard Hut from the top of the Silver Queen Gondola, individuals without a season pass will need to buy a foot passenger ticket. Call the Aspen Skiing Company prior to your stay for pricing, dates, and times of operation: 970-925-1220.

Parking

BARNARD HUT PARKING: If approaching the Barnard Hut from the top of the Silver Queen Gondola, the City of Aspen’s Rio Grande Parking Plaza on Mill Street has overnight parking. The Galena Street Shuttle goes from the parking garage to the gondola, but is limited to busy times of the year, call RFTA for dates and times of operation: 970-925-8484. If approaching the Barnard Hut from another hut such as Markley or Goodwin-Greene, the overnight parking area is located on the east side of Castle Creek Road. Please do not park in the Toklat parking lot, which is located on the west side of Castle Creek Road. Your car may be towed.