Route Description

HUT TO HUT distances are usually longer than from trailhead to hut. Use winter specific topographic maps. Routes between huts are not often used so may not be tracked; navigation and breaking trail may be particularly challenging.

Take the Colorado Trail southwest 1.75  miles to the well-marked intersection with the trail coming in from Crane Park Trailhead. Proceed south and after another short climb and some curves you’ll intersect Wurt’s Ditch Road. Continue straight on the Colorado Trail.  Continue as the suggested route takes you on a west and northwest route leading up the North Fork of West Tennessee Creek 1 mile to pass just north of Lily Lake (10,589 feet). Swing right (north) as you pass Lily Lake, cross the creek and a marshy area, then climb north for 1/2 mile to a low-angled clearing. From here the route climbs northwest for 1 1/4 miles along the south side of the south fork of Slide Creek through a series of clearings until it reaches the south end of a large flat marshy area just below and to the south of the hut. The trail to this point can be confusing because of myriad snowmobile and ski tracks. In general, it follows the south Slide Creek drainage, but winds around enough to make “drainage tracking” hard. Your best insurance is to take great care near Lily Lake to identify the distinct cone of Homestake Peak. Using this as a landmark, pay attention to your map, compass, and altimeter to stick to the trail. The suggested route has blue diamonds, but don’t depend on them for navigation.

You can see the hut from the south side of the last low-angled marshy clearing—it’s perched on a low-angled hillside on the north side of the clearing. With poor visibility this could be a confusing area, so take care.

Locations of Observed or Reported Avalanche Activity: No avalanche activity has been reported along this suggested route.

Transportation