General Hiking Info - San Juan Hut Systems

Backcountry Hiking Huts

Hike The Sneffels Traverse

The Sneffels Traverse, the ultimate hiking adventure: Complete the whole Sneffels Traverse starting at Last Dollar Pass above Telluride, CO and ending in Ouray, CO. Hike through the Sneffels Wilderness area and spend one night at each of the four huts. Five to nine miles of alpine hiking trails a day provide some of the very best views in the state. You will hike through alpine meadows, aspen groves, and beneath jagged peaks.

A food drop can be arranged at Blue Lakes Hut, which is half way through the Sneffels Traverse, to insure you never have to carry more than a couple days of food. This trip is perfect for those looking for a lightweight and more secure and comfortable backpacking experience or for mountaineers looking to cover a lot of rugged terrain with minimal weight.

Come to the San Juan Mountains, the trail hiking mecca of Colorado with 360 degrees of hiking! Our 4 backcountry Hiking huts traverse the north side of the Sneffels Range, below 14,000 foot alpine peaks.The routes between most huts are suitable for fit individuals with intermediate backcountry experience, while above the huts there is remote and rugged terrain for more technical peak bagging and mountaineering. Variations exist to accommodate most levels of fitness and experience.

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During June through November*, you must book the full 4 night/5 day hut-to-hut traverse. We look forward to working with you to help create an adventure for you and your group to have an excellent experience.

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

Hiking Hut Facilities

San Juan Huts accommodate eight people per night. The wooden huts are equipped with padded bunks, sleeping bags*, Crazy Creek Chairs, a propane cook stove, propane lights, wood stove, and necessary utensils and cookware. Each hut is equipped with a composting toilet facility. Hikers will need to bring their own food and personal gear.

Additional supplies stocked at each hut:

Paper towels, paper plates, toilet paper, cleaning supplies, bleach, dish soap, dish towels, hand sanitizer, lighters, olive oil, hot sauces, salt and pepper, coffee filters, percolators, pour-overs, and fire extinguishers.

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

Backcountry Awareness

The hut system is designed to accommodate various levels of hiker ability. All hikers should be familiar with changing mountain weather conditions and must be adequately prepared. Hikers should possess route finding abilities, be physically fit, and general backcountry awareness.

Booking Information

From June 1 through November*, we only book the Hiking Huts 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.

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!

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

Please call or email the office with any specific questions!

Maps

Hiking Hut Info

Maximum 8 people per night
June through November, the 4 night/ 5 day Sneffels Traverse is $275 per person. This includes your shuttle to the start.

*We will open up the month of November for independent bookings on November 1.
During May and November, or the "Off Season", we allow custom bookings. The Hiking Huts are $30 per person per night during "Off Season."

Be Prepared

Adequate rain gear and warm clothing are necessary due to variable weather conditions. The average mountain elevation is 9,500+ feet. Temperatures can range from extreme heat to below freezing during any summer month. Springs along the trail are available for water between huts, although filtering is recommended. A carrying capacity of two liters per hiker per day is strongly advised.