The Graham Ranch Hut: (elev.8,300'): The Graham Ranch Hut serves as a hub for many activities on the nearby Uncompahgre National Forest and BLM public lands. A working ‘cow camp' dating back to the turn of the century, it sits amongst Ponderosa Pine, Aspen glades and Sage-brush/grass meadows. Trails abound in all directions from this ranch located high on the Uncompahgre Plateau. The topographic relief is impressive, a very rugged area of Colorado. Mountain biking, hiking and trail running could go on forever from this ranch. For early risers, great wildlife viewing exists here.
If you are looking for Horseback trail riding this is as good as it gets in Colorado! The ranch has fenced pastures, corals, and a round pen. Huge trail rides happen here with some of the most spectacular vistas found anywhere in the western US. So, trailer your horse and head on up here! Study your maps, figure out where you want to ride, saddle your horse and GO! You choose where you want to go and you are out here on your own with nothing but the sky above you.
The Gateway Hut: (elev. 4,560') This hut sits on a ranch below the town of Gateway, right on the banks of the Dolores River. In fact, in the summer on the Telluride to Moab mountain bike ride, riders frequently walk the 200 feet to take a cool plunge into the Dolores River. The next day, float 30 miles down the Dolores River to the confluence with the Colorado River (Class II, III water). An easy walk to the Gateway market can supply the food for the night's dinner and the next day's breakfast and lunch. Here's an option...rent mountain bikes from the Gateway Outpost and pedal from the hut down a ranch road along the river and climb the spectacular “Palisade”, or book a horseback trail ride through Gateway Outpost! Call for more details.
Springtime at the Gateway Hut offers Mountain Biking on nearby trails and remote canyon hiking in huge red-walled sandstone canyons. There are also a couple hundred technical rock climbing routes in the Unaweep Canyon as well as straight up Crack-Climbing routes in the Dolores River Canyon.
The North Pole Hut: (elev. 9,960') Located beside large beaver ponds and meadows it sits beneath North Pole Peak and the north face of Hayden Peak. It can be reached from Last Dollar Pass (10,700')to the south via the Alder Creek Trail which runs through the Mt. Sneffels Wilderness Area or the east via the Dallas Trail. Peak acsents of Hayden Peak and Dark Horse Peak give great views of the Island Ranges of Utah to the west as well as incredible views of the 14,000' (+) peaks of the Wilsons to the south.
The Blue Lakes Hut: (elev. 9,380') Sitting below the north face of Mt. Sneffels this is a phenomenal site for climbs of Mt. Sneffels (14,150') and several other high 13'ers. An early start from the hut would help insure climbers avoid afternoon thunderstorm buildup.
How about this one? A trail running Circumnavigation of Mt. Sneffels via Blue Lakes Pass and The Lavender Col. Truly a classic mountain run. Or ratcheting it up a little bit, hike to Blue Lakes Pass, climb Mt. Sneffels via the seldom-climbed South Ridge and traverse the summit by descending the Lavendar Couloir to the Lavender Col and returning to the hut through Blaine Basin. Classic technical routes of Mt. Sneffels North Face can be started from the Blue Lakes Hut with an “alpine” start---a crampon and ice axe ascent of the Snake Couloir or a rock climb of the North Buttress. Loops and traverses by Mountain Bikers can take great advantage of the Blue Lakes Hut's central position in the heart of the Mt. Sneffels range. Come check it out!
The Ridgway Hut: (elev. 10,200') Several Mountain Bike options pass through here going both directions, east or west. There are good loop potentials utilizing this hut as well. Ascents of Reconnoiter Peak (12,900'), right above the hut, gives the most unique and all-encompassing view of the North Face of Mt. Sneffels and the hidden and high peaks of Blaine Basin. Consider a grand traverse from the hut into upper East Blaine Basin and then a passage through one of the high cols between the peaks and a descent to Camp Bird Road, dropping into Ouray.
The Burn Hut: (elev. 9,940') Finish your Mountain Bike traverse that may have started at the “National Forest Access” for West Dallas Creek with an outrageous single track descent down the east end of the Dallas Trail into Ouray. Drop this last 2,400' of vertical, very challenging single track in only 3 1/2 miles of trail and then go soak in the Ouray Hot Springs Pool. Climbing the Northeast Shoulder of Corbett Peak (13,072') is a quick access into the 13,000' zone of high peaks. The Burn Hut is at the base of this shoulder.