Activities

Thru Hiking: Eliminate the weight on this 34 mile trip with a start at the top of Last Dollar Pass (10,700′) just outside of Telluride. Hike all the way to Ouray. Big views, stream crossings and wildflowers abound on this trek. The trail starts on the southwest corner of the Sneffels Range, enters the “Mt. Sneffels Wilderness Area” and traverses the entire North Slope of the Sneffels range.

Peak Bagging: Use the huts as ‘base camps’ for summiting the spectacular peaks of the Sneffels Range. With 20 plus peaks over 13,000′ and Mt. Sneffles capping the range at 14,150′ it’s easy to wear off a lot of boot sole here! From the Classics of the Snake Couloir and the North Buttress on the North Face of Mt. Sneffels, remote routes on Dallas and Wollcott, days and days of climbing can be done here!

Trail Running: Stretch your legs out and kick it up a notch on the historic Alder Creek and Dallas Trails. Mountain runners can use the same trails connecting these four huts (North Pole, Blue Lakes, Ridgway, and Burn) that the hikers use and that Backcountry Skiers have used for 22 years.

The Graham Ranch Hut, perched at the far Northwest end of the Uncompahgre Plateau, offers superb Trail Running potential with a huge network of trails fanning out in all directions. An area not to be missed!

Mountain Biking: Just as when using the huts for Hiking or Trail Running, there are a number of ways to use the huts for Mountain Biking. There are loops, A to B traverses and ‘out and backs’. Difficulty levels range from short day, easy beginner rides to huge days of very advanced technical riding with incredibly sustained downhill runs! Think about driving out to The Graham Ranch and basing there for several days.

Horseback Riding:

New Potential Use!  San Juan Hut Systems is attempting to obtain a Permit for 2 night/3 day trail ride via horseback along the Dallas Trail/Alder Creek Trail system with overnights at Ridgway Hut and North Pole Hut ending at Last Dollar Pass.  Stay tuned for details!

Located out on the Northwest prow of the Uncomphagre Plateau is a gem of an area of Western Colorado. Endless miles of trails weave through this wild and scenic historic country that has been ranched for nearly 140 years. Rock walled canyons, Ponderosa Pine forest and Aspen Glades truly make this terrain an adventure to explore by Horseback. The Graham Ranch is the center of this landscape.

Boating: Catch spring boating on The Dolores River. Put in at the San Miguel/Dolores confluence and float 35 miles to Gateway (Class II water). Spend the night at the Gateway Hut on the river’s edge (200 feet from the river). The next day float 30 miles down to Dewey Bridge at the confluence with the Colorado River (Class II, III water).

By utilizing the hut and what is provided it is possible to travel super light and fast in an open canoe or sea kayak. Without the camping weight it is easy to portage around the rapids if necessary. The water moves quick through this section in April, May and June.

Special Events: Use the huts as a location for Family Reunions and Get Togethers. Get out of town and go for a hike, a climb, a run, a ride or a paddle. Or dig this…use the huts for Triathlon Training!