The Continental Divide Cabin

Continental Divide Cabin winter

Continental Divide Cabin is a privately owned hut booked by 10th Mountain. This hut, aptly named, is relatively easy to get to and also serves as a connection between the 10th Mountain Division Hut, Sangree’s Hut, and Vance’s Cabin. Plus, there are over fifteen miles of rewarding beginner to intermediate cross country ski trails close by, and other opportunities for rewarding day trips. Nearby Chicago Ridge and Ski Cooper offer the closest “turns”.

Layout and capacity: Single story cabin sleeps eight (8). Two private bedrooms each sleeping two people and an additional four beds in the common area. Continental Divide Cabin has two Pack ‘N Plays for infants. There is a small solar powered refrigerator, solar lighting, a wood burning heat stove with oven, a two burner propane cook top, and outdoor propane BBQ grill. Water is obtained from snowmelt and the cabin provides additional water from a cistern / hand pump system. It is recommended you filter the water before drinking.

Hut Location: The Continental Divide Cabin is located at 10,500’ near the top of the Continental Divide in the Rocky Mountains of central Colorado. The distance from the trailhead on Tennessee Pass (Hwy. 24) to the cabin is less than one (1) mile. The closest town is Leadville. [locator map]

  • More Info
  • Winter Routes & Trailheads
  • Summer Routes & Trailheads
  • Photos

Maps:

  • Official 10th Mountain, Winter: Chicago Ridge or Galena Mountain
  • Official 10th Mountain, Summer: Summer Eastside
  • USGS Map: Leadville North Quadrangle
  • USFS Forest Visitor's Map: San Isabel National Forest

Dates Open: Summer: May 25th through Thanksgiving. Winter: Thanksgiving through 30 April

Owned By: privately owned Oven: woodburning Sauna: No Outdoor Fire Ring: No

Outdoor Propane BBQ: Yes

The main winter route into the Continental Divide Cabin follows the Colorado Trail southeast from Tennessee Pass for approximately .5 miles. It then turns off on a well marked side trail that takes you the last .3 miles to the hut.

Winter Trail Access

  • Trailhead: Tennessee Pass, Elevation: 10,424' Route: Via Colorado Trail and 10th Mountain marked ski trail. Total Mileage: .8
  • Trailhead: Crane Park, Elevation: 10,137' Route: Via 10th Mountain marked ski trail and the Colorado Trail. Total Mileage: 2.6
  • Trailhead: 10th Mounatin Hut, Elevation: 11,370' Route: Via 10th Mountain marked ski trail and the Colorado Trail. Total Mileage: 4.9
  • Trailhead: Vances Cabin, Elevation: 10,980' Route: Via 10th Mountain marked ski trail and the Colorado Trail. Total Mileage: 3.9
  • Trailhead: Sangree Froelicher Hut, Elevation: 11,700' Route: Via 10th Mountain marked ski trail and the Colorado Trail. Total Mileage: 6.6

To hike or bike into the Continental Divide Cabin in the summer you can simply follow the winter ski trail. There is no vehicle access to this hut in the summer.

For day hikes around the Continental Divide Cabin you can follow the Colorado Trail southeast from the hut or you can explore the network of trails near the hut that are used for cross-country skiing in the winter and mountain biking or hiking in the summer.

Click here for summer water source information

Summer Trail Access

  • Trailhead: Tennessee Pass, Elevation: 10,424' Route: Via Colorado Trail and 10th Mountain marked ski trail. Total Mileage: .8

10th Mountain Division Huts