Burn Backcountry Hiking Hut

Layout

The Burn Hut accommodates eight people via padded bunk-style beds, sleeping bags* (Guests who use SJHS sleeping bags need to use their own sleeping bag liner), and Crazy Creek Chairs. The Hut includes a propane stove, propane lamp, wood stove, cookware, and utensils.

*Sleeping bags are not provided for part of October, all of November, and May. 

Water

There is a creek 250 yards west of the hut. Hut users are responsible for treating water with iodine, pump/filter, or UV scanner.

Location

The Burn hut sits at 9,940′ on a slope gladed by an old forest fire with views of the Sneffles Range. The Burn Hut is the farthest east of all our Hiking Huts and closest to the mountain town of Ouray. It is frequently used in conjunction with the Ridgway hut for multi-day adventures.

Dates & Prices

From June 1 through November, we only book the Burn Hut in the 4-night/5-day Sneffels Traverse. The Sneffels Traverse is $275 per person and includes your shuttle to the start of the hike.

*We will open up the month of November for custom bookings on November 1st. 

During “Off-Season” or the months of May and November, we allow custom bookings in the Hiking Huts. During these months, the huts are $30 per person per night and SLEEPING BAGS AREN’T PROVIDED!

Please call or email the office with any specific questions!

Access

A short drive (approx. 5 miles) on CR5 out of Ridgway takes you to the junction of CR5 and CR5A. From this point, a 5.4 mile 4×4 road leads you to the Burn Hut. This 4×4 road can be impassable when wet. The Burn Hut can also be accessed via the Dallas Trail. This access is the eastern terminus of the Dallas Trail and is approximately 7 miles south on the ‘frontage road’ CR 17.

Hiking around the Burn Hut is enjoyable for people of all abilities, this is due not only to the variety of the terrain, but to the views of both the Cimmaron and the Sneffels ranges as well as the La Sals out in Utah.

Access the Ridgway Hut, 2-3 Hours, Intermediate

Travel on 4×4 roads and then the Dallas Trail that leads to the Ridgway Hut.

Ouray, 2.5-4 Hours, Moderate

Hike east on the Dallas Trail descending through aspen groves, meadows, and along sandstone cliffs down into the mountain town of Ouray where natural hot springs, pubs, and ice cream all await.

East End Loop, 2 Days/5-6 Hours, Intermediate

This is hands down our favorite weekend ride! Although this loop can be done in one push, we find it far more enjoyable to make a weekend out of it. You start your climb right from the town of Ridgway and are primarily on single lane dirt and 4×4 roads up to the Burn Hut passing through parks and aspen groves with views of the entire Sneffels Range. The next day’s ride is all on the east end of the Dallas Trail and downhill to the town of Ouray where natural hot springs, pubs and ice cream await. You can either leave a vehicle here, or ride the 20 minutes on dirt road back to Ridgway. Basing out of a B&B in Ridgway or Ouray makes this a real weekend treat. There is additional single track around Ridgway if you want to get a few more miles in on either end of your trip.