What’s Provided
Heat
Guests heat up the hut upon arrival. For those huts with wood-burning heat stoves, firewood, starter paper, matches and axes are provided. For those with propane fireplaces, the propane is provided. At the Broome Hut there’s a pellet stove and the pellets plus instructions are provided. You’ll find specifics about how each hut is heated on the individual Hut Pages.
Kitchens
All hut kitchens have propane burners for cooking, propane is provided. All huts also have pots, pans, potholders, dishware, cooking and eating utensils, a percolator or French press for coffee, salt & pepper, paper towels, dish soap, hand sanitizer, cleaning supplies, and trash bags. A few huts have ovens, propane grills and firepits (summer only), check individual Hut Pages.
Cold Food Storage
Cold food storage varies. While a few huts have propane or solar refrigerators, others have a simple cupboard, closet, cooler or plastic bins to store food overnight. Make sure to familiarize yourself with the individual Hut Pages and plan meals accordingly.
Water
Water sources vary greatly by hut and by season. Make sure to familiarize yourself with water sources described here by season, and be sure to review water source information on the individual Hut Pages.
Winter: Some huts have running, potable water, but at most huts in winter, melting snow is the main source of water for drinking, cooking and cleaning. If applicable, huts are stocked with snow collection buckets and a large pot that rests on a heat source for melting snow. It is the guests responsibility to filter or boil this water. Filters are not provided. Some huts are equipped with a hand pump in the kitchen that dispenses water from a cistern filled with a roof-catchment system. The suggested use for cistern water is for cleaning purposes only (drinking this water even if you filter it, is not recommended). Depending on the level of hut use and precipitation, the cistern could be dry at the time of your visit.
Summer: Some huts have running, potable water, but at most huts in summer, water is collected from a nearby stream. Most huts have a water-carrying backpack and large water containers for collection. It is the responsibility of the guests to filter or boil collected water. Filters are not provided. Some huts are equipped with a hand pump in the kitchen that dispenses water from a cistern filled with a roof-catchment system. The suggested use for cistern water is for cleaning purposes only (drinking this water even if you filter it, is not recommended). Depending on the level of hut use and precipitation, the cistern could be dry at the time of your visit. Summer guests using a support vehicle are encouraged to bring their own water. Our Summer Water Source Information page offers stream locations and cistern details by hut.
Outhouses or Bathrooms
Huts have either an outhouse or an indoor bathroom. Some outhouses are attached, others are a short walk from the hut. Toilet paper is provided at all huts.
Sleeping
Mattresses and pillows are provided at all huts. Bring your own sleeping bag and pillowcase. Continental Divide and Point Breeze Cabins have 2 portable cribs each; High Lonesome Hut has 1 portable crib.
Lighting and Outlets
Lighting is provided at all huts by on-site solar power, propane, or a generator. A few huts also have outlets for charging small devices such as phones. Make sure to familiarize yourself with individual Hut Pages, as each hut is a little different in what it offers.
Creature Comforts
Huts generally have a few books to read, a few decks of cards, and a board game or two. Be sure to leave an entry in the logbook!
Winter Equipment List
The huts are situated between 9,300 and 11,700 feet in elevation. A clear and calm morning at a trailhead can turn quickly (and without warning) into heavy snow and driving winds at higher elevations. Hypothermia, frostbite, and altitude sickness are common winter problems. Be sure that you know how to prevent, recognize, and treat these potentially life-threatening conditions. Bring enough extra clothing, emergency shelter and survival gear, food, and water to spend the night out if you do not make it to the hut.
This list should be used as a guide in helping you prepare for your trip. Never travel in the backcountry unprepared. None of this equipment is helpful unless it fits, it works, and you know how to use it! Please share with all group members.
General Equipment
- Skis, snowshoes, or split snowboard (designed for backcountry)
- Boots
- Poles (large baskets preferred)
- Backpack
- Climbing skins
- Wax kit (including grip and skin waxes)
- Sleeping bag
- Pillowcase
- Headlamp and extra batteries
- Pocket knife
- Sunglasses
- Goggles
- Water bottles (widemouth) and insulated carrier (optional: thermos for hot drinks)
- Sunscreen and lip balm
- Food (be sure some food is edible without cooking, and that each person carries their own trail food)
- Avalanche transceiver, probe pole and shovel
- Cell phone and extra batteries/case (coverage is not guaranteed anywhere in the backcountry – keep your phone off until you need it)
Personal Clothing (wool or synthetics – no cotton)
Foundation/Base Layer
- Long underwear top and bottom
- Socks plus extra pair(s) (optional: foot warmers)
Warm/Insulating Layer
- Fleece Jacket/Vest
- Sweater
- Pants
- Down/synthetic puff jacket
Weather/Waterproof Outer Layer
- Jacket
- Pants
Other
- Gloves/mittens plus extra pair (optional: hand warmers)
- Ski hat(s)
- Sunhat
- Neck gaiter/balaclava
- Leg gaiters
- Hut slippers (slippers/Crocs are provided at Fritz, Fabi, Friends’, and all Braun Huts)
- Personal items (toothbrush/paste, medications, prescription glasses, earplugs, watch w/ alarm)
- Personal wash cloth/travel towel
- Disinfectant wipes
Group Equipment
- Hut Trip Confirmation/Door Lock Combination (printed copy/copies)
- Trailhead/Parking information
- Guidebook/Route descriptions
- Topographic maps
- Compass
- GPS and extra batteries
- Altimeter and extra batteries
- Hand-held two-way radios for inter-group communication
- Water purification method
Suggested Group Emergency/Survival Equipment
- Emergency shelter (bivouac sack, lt weight tarp)
- First-aid kit
- Blister kit
- Fire starting kit (matches, lighter, starting fuel) OR lightweight emergency stove
- Small emergency pot
- Ensolite or foam pad
- Emergency communication device (such as SPOT, inReach, satellite phone or PLB – Personal Locator Beacon)
Suggested Group Repair Kit
- Duct tape
- Zip/cable ties
- Baling wire
- Rubberized ski straps
- Multi-tool (Leatherman)
- Spare binding and parts
- Pole repair (or extra pole)
Summer Equipment List
The huts are situated between 9,300 and 11,700 feet in elevation. A warm summer morning at a trailhead can turn quickly (and without warning) into a cold storm with lightning, hail, or even snow at higher elevations. Hypothermia and altitude sickness are common problems in the mountains, be sure that you know how to prevent, recognize and treat these potentially life-threatening conditions. Bring enough extra clothing, survival gear, food, and water to spend the night out if you do not make it to the hut.
This list should be used as a guide in helping you prepare for your trip. Never travel in the backcountry unprepared. None of this equipment is helpful unless it fits, it works, and you know how to use it! Please share this list with all group members.
General Equipment
- Backpack (If you are using a support vehicle, be prepared to carry your gear from the parking area to the hut. Gear carts are provided at most of the huts, but backpacks are recommended over duffle bags or suitcases.)
- Daypack
- Sleeping bag
- Pillowcase
- Hiking boots/shoes
- Wool hat
- Warm gloves
- Baseball or sun hat
- Sunscreen and lip balm
- Sunglasses
- Water bottles (widemouth)
- Flashlight/headlamp and extra batteries
- Pocket knife
- Insect repellent
- Personal items (toothbrush/paste, medications, prescription glasses, earplugs, watch w/ alarm)
- Personal wash cloth/travel towel
- Food (Be sure some food is edible without cooking, and that each person carries their own trail food.)
- Cell phone and extra batteries/case (Coverage is not guaranteed anywhere in the backcountry – keep your phone off until you need it.)
Personal Clothing (wool or synthetics – no cotton)
Foundation/Base Layer
- Long underwear top and bottom
- Socks plus extra pair(s)
Warm/Insulating Layer
- Fleece Jacket/Vest
- Sweater
- Pants
- Down/synthetic puff jacket
Weather/Waterproof Outer Layer
- Jacket
- Pants
Other
- Hut slippers
- Personal items (toothbrush/paste, medications, prescription glasses, earplugs, watch w/ alarm)
- Personal wash cloth/travel towel
- Disinfectant wipes
During Hunting Season
- Bright/orange clothing
Group Equipment
- Hut Trip Confirmation/Door Lock Combination (printed copy/copies)
- Trailhead/Parking information
- Guidebook/Route descriptions
- Topographic maps
- Compass
- GPS and extra batteries
- Altimeter and extra batteries
- Hand-held two-way radios for inter-group communication
- Water and/or water source information
- If driving a support vehicle, we suggest bringing 1 to 2 gallons of extra water for cleaning and disinfecting
- Water purification method
- Bicycle repair kit (if applicable)
Suggested Group Emergency/Survival Equipment
- Emergency shelter (bivouac sack, lightweight tarp)
- First-aid kit
- Blister kit
- Fire starting kit (matches, lighter, starting fuel) OR lightweight emergency stove
- Small emergency pot
- Ensolite or foam pad
- Emergency communication device (such as SPOT, inReach, satellite phone or PLB – Personal Locator Beacon)