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

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.