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Ski Hut-to-Hut from Uncle Bud's to Skinner Hut

Leadville, Colorado

5.0/5
based on 1 reviews

Details

Distance

24.5 miles

Elevation Gain

4700 ft

Route Type

Loop

Description

Added by Jason Hatfield

Complete one of the more challenging hut-to-hut loops in the 10th Mountain Division system and the reward is two remote, world-class huts in a winter wonderland of skiing and mountain scenery. Once at the huts, you can enjoy a group meal, read a book, build a puzzle, or just enjoy the view.

The trek starts just outside of Leadville near Turquoise Lake at 9800 ft. The first day you'll travel 6.5 miles and gain 1700 ft. to Uncle Bud's Hut, which sits around 11,400 ft. The second day you'll ski 7.1 miles to Skinner Hut and gain 2100 ft, mostly in the last 3 miles after having dropped back down to 10,000 ft in the valley; the hut sits around 11,600 ft. The third day is 10.9 miles back to the TH, but with only 900 ft. of gain and long sections of downhill.

(The section between Uncle Bud's and Skinner hut is very grueling, prone to deep snow, and hard to follow at times. Snowshoes or nordic skis are not recommended due to the steepness of the terrain.)

Between the two huts, Uncle Bud's has better views and better sleeping quarters, the skiing is arguably better at Skinner Hut though. Both huts come stocked with padded mattresses, wood stoves & fuel, propane burners, all cookware and utensils, some games/puzzles/books, large sitting and eating areas, and a sense of remoteness not found in other rustic cabins.

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Features

Snowboarding
Skiing
Snowshoeing
Backpacking
Bathrooms
Easy Parking
Forest
Groups
Lake
Scenic

Reviews

I went to Uncle Bud's Hut, and it is a rewarding, remote, world-class hut in a winter wonderland of skiing and mountain scenery. Once at the hut, I enjoyed many group meals, read books, built a puzzle, and enjoyed the view.

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

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