Colorado Backcountry Hiking

One of the great attractions to hiking is its promise of a backcountry, wilderness experience. In no instance is this promise fulfilled more completely than during our multi-day hiking adventure in the heart of Colorado's incomparable high country. By day, we explore portions of the 300-mile 10th Mountain Division Trail System, and at night settle into another scenic chalet.

The huts are remote and idyllic hideaways perched high on mountain ridges with magnificent views. These charming log cabins offer you the unique opportunity to stay in the high country among endless trails, wildflowers, elk and deer. Featuring amenities such as vaulted ceilings, bay windows, wood stoves and solar lighting, you will enjoy evenings of serenity and backcountry comfort. After a day on the trail snuggle up to a good book, or relax on the sun deck and soak in the view.
Join us for the ultimate Colorado Rocky Mountain high chalet getaway!

Hut Highlights: With stunning locations and sweeping mountain views, these charming chalets are kept cozy with solar lighting, wood stoves, vaulted ceilings, and bay windows. After a day on the trail snuggle up to a good book, or relax on the sun deck and soak in the view.

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Itinerary / Highlights

Day 1. Hike from Fulford Campground via Iron Edge Trail to Peter Estin Hut, Peter Estin Hut

Our group assembles in the sitting room of the Manor Vail Resort in the heart of Vail Village at 9:00 a.m. After a short orientation and a shuttle, we lace up our boots for a day of hiking into the heart of the Rocky Mountains and the rooftop of America!
Today's trailhead begins in the White River National Forest at the Fulford Cave Campground. Exercise your lungs as we head up the Iron Edge trail for a great warm up hike to the majestically situated Peter Estin Hut.
A guide favorite, Peter Estin Hut is perched on a lofty knoll at 11,200 feet. This idyllic setting is the perfect place to relax and marvel at the magnificent views of the Elk Range's jagged peaks.

• Iron Edge Trail to Peter Estin Hut [4.5 miles, 1700' elevation gain]

Day 2. Hike from Peter Estin Hut via the Charles Peak Trail, Peter Estin Hut

Hiking directly from Peter Estin Hut, our backcountry adventure continues when we climb a high elevation ridgeline at 12,000 feet just below Charles Peak. Our picnic lunch spot is unforgettable as we gaze from alpine tundra out onto a sea of snowy peaks and a tranquil mountain lake. We then meander down tree-covered ridges to pristine Lake Charles. After lunch we can venture on to Mystic Island Lake or explore Lake Charles, then we head down to Fulford Campground for our shuttle back to Peter Estin hut and another relaxing panorama-filled sunset.

• Peter Estin Hut & Lake Charles to Fulford Campground [9 miles; approximately 700 feet of elevation gain, 2000 feet of elevation loss]
• Option: Lake Charles to Mystic Island Lake [4 miles; 265 feet elevation gain, then loss]

Day 3. Hike Henderson Park, Skinner Hut

As you wake up and breathe deeply the fresh mountain air, get ready for another day of the unique mountain beauty only Colorado can provide. Today we venture deep into the Holy Cross Wilderness and explore secluded meadows and flower-filled aspen woodlands on our way to magnificent Henderson Park, a gorgeous example of a pristine Rocky Mountain alpine meadow filled with flowers and a magnet for wildlife. One can not help but wonder how the first pioneers must have felt when they first saw these beautiful mountains and lakes. This afternoon, we find ourselves at our next tranquil hideaway -- Skinner Hut, probably the most precipitous site of any hut in Colorado. Blending well with the high, alpine landscape, this handsome stone building appears to have been carved from the underlying crags.

• Last Chance Trail to Tellurium Lake trailhead [7.5 miles, 1200' elevation gain/1400' loss]
• Shuttle to trailhead and to hut [2.5 hours over rough four wheel drive roads]

Day 4. Free Day, Skinner Hut

Today is all yours as we layover for a day to soak in the peace of the high mountains. The options are limitless. Relax at the hut, or lace up the hiking boots and head down the old railway grade of the Midland Railroad of the 1890s as we descend toward Turquoise Lake. En route, we hike to the long since abandoned Hagerman Tunnel and explore the ghost town of Douglas City, once a wild settlement with eight saloons and dance halls. Another option is to hike or shuttle to the lakeshore trail that winds along the edge of Turquoise Lake, whose waters often mirror Colorado's two highest peaks, Mount Massive and Mount Elbert.As yet another option, consider venturing up to Hagerman Pass and the Continental Divide.

Those that opt for this hike will be rewarded with 360° views of the sea of peaks that stretch from the open summit back to Leadville and the Arkansas Valley to Ivanhoe Lake and the Upper Fryingpan Valley.
Whatever you choose for the day, be sure to leave yourself some time to simply relax at the hut.

• Skinner Hut to Douglas City [6 miles; 1500' elevation gain/loss]
• Option: Turquoise Lake Hike [4-8 miles; elevation gain negligible]

Day 5. Hike the Colorado Trail to Timberline Lake and Uncle Bud's Hut, Uncle Bud's Hut

Today we lace up our boots for a day of hiking along a portion of the 490-mile long Colorado Trail, which stretches from Denver to Durango in the southwest corner of the state. Our first destination is the shores of sun splashed Timberline Lake, set at the base of the Continental Divide. Permanent snowfields cling to the high, unnamed peaks surrounding this beautiful alpine lake.
After lunch, we climb through cool pine forests over a high mountain saddle before descending through a verdant valley peppered with colorful wildflowers Bear Lakes to an open meadow and Uncle Bud's Hut.

Tonight's home-away-from-home, Uncle Bud's Hut, is situated above 11,000 feet and picturesquely set near tree line in an huge alpine meadow. Enjoy a stroll, relax on the sun deck and marvel at the magnificent view of Mt. Massive or cap off the day with a game of frisbee.

Dinner this evening is truly a well-deserved feast. Under clear mountain skies, we relax on the deck and enjoy the peace of the Rocky Mountain backcountry.

• Hike Timberline Lake [5 miles; 815 feet of elevation gain, then loss]
• Turquoise Lake to Uncle Bud's Hut via Bear Lake Trail [4 miles, approximately 1280' of elevation gain/ 500' loss]

Day 6. Hike Tennessee Pass from Uncle Bud's Hut via the Colorado Trail
Beginning right at the front door of Uncle Bud's Hut, we venture once again into the heart of the Holy Cross Wilderness and along the renowned Colorado Trail. With breathtaking ridge-line passes, beaver-pond meadows, craggy peaks and a trail's end that straddles the Continental Divide at Tennessee Pass, today is truly a fitting finale to a wonderful week.
At trail's end we shuttle to Vail for our trip's conclusion.

• Uncle Bud's Hut to Tennessee Pass via the Colorado Trail [8 miles; approximately 400' elevation gain/1300' loss]

Some dates will operate in the reverse and the July 19 trip has a slightly different itinerary altogether.

Other Details

Accommodation Details

Hut Highlights: With stunning locations and sweeping mountain views, these charming chalets are kept cozy with solar lighting, wood stoves, vaulted ceilings, and bay windows. After a day on the trail snuggle up to a good book, or relax on the sun deck and soak in the view.

Day 1 and 2: Peter Estin Hut
Day 3 and 4: Skinner Hut
Day 5: Uncle Bud´s Hut