The Peter Estin Hut

Estin Hut Winter
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Built in 1985, the Peter Estin Hut was the third publicly funded hut added to the 10th Mountain Division system. This hut represents the “standard” for early 10th Mountain Huts. It stands two stories high, with a commodious deck jutting from the front door. Plenty of glass faces the sunny southern views toward the Elk and Williams Ranges, where a trail descends to Lime Park, making a beautiful connection to the Gates Hut and the Upper Frying Pan Valley. The Estin Hut is also linked by trail north to the Polar Star Hut.

Funds were donated by the Estin family in memory of Peter Estin, who attended Dartmouth College, where he was a member of the ski team from 1944 to 1947. Later, Peter Estin brought his skills to Sugarbush Valley in Warren, Vermont where he was director of the ski school. During summers up north, Peter preferred winters down south where he served as director of the ski school in Portillo, Chile. His dream to start a ski school at Aspen Highlands was beginning to become a reality when Peter died in 1962. In addition to being a beautiful skier, Peter Estin was a cartoonist for the New Yorker and author of “Skiing the American Way.”

Layout and capacity: 4 single beds downstairs, 2 private bedrooms upstairs with one double bed each, plus 8 beds in a communal sleeping area upstairs. Capacity 16.

Hut Location: Peter Estin Hut is located in a clearing on a timbered saddle just northwest of Charles Peak (12,050 feet), with a clear view of the Elk and Williams mountains to the south. Centered in a vast forested area, the hut provides access to myriad trails, dirt roads, and one alpine ridge. [locator map]

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

Maps:

Dates Open: Summer: 1 July through 30 September. Winter: Thanksgiving through 30 April

Owned By: 10th Mountain Division Hut Association Oven: Woodburning Sauna: No

The most common route into the Peter Estin hut is via the Ironedge Trail which begins near Yeoman Park. The first part of the trail follows a snow covered road up to the Fulford Cave campground, which is closed during the winter. From there you follow the Ironedge trail as it climbs steeply up to the hut.

Winter Trail Access

In the summertime you can access the Peter Estin Hut by hiking up the Ironedge trail or by driving in from either Sylvan Lake or Yeoman Park to the designated parking area approximately 1/4 mile from the hut. You can also drive in from the Fryingpan River Road on FS 400 and FS 416 but be aware that FS 400 can be very slick and dangerous when wet so watch the weather if you are planning on using it to access the hut. Vehicle access is never guaranteed to any hut at any time.

There are numerous hiking options around the Peter Estin Hut. You can follow the trail along the ridge towards Charles Peak or drop down toward Mystic Island Lake. For a long day of hiking you can drop down from the top of Charles Peak towards Woods Lake as well.

During the Summer of 2023 the Forest Service will be replacing a failing culvert located on East Brush Creek Road (NFSR 415.1) at approximately mile marker 3.0. East Brush Creek Road (NSFR 415.1) will be closed to all traffic from MP 2.5 to 4.1 from August 1 to September 1, 2023. The closure will require an alternate route to access the private land of Fulford, other private lands above Fulford, Yeoman and Fulford Campgrounds, the Peter Estin hut, the Polar Star Inn, the Seipel Hut and the surrounding recreational trail accesses in those areas. The recommended alternative route is to use the Eagle Thomasville Road (NSFR 400.1) and Hat Creek Road (NSFR 416.1). You can find more information here, East Brush Creek Road Closure Info.

Click here for summer water source information

Summer Trail Access

  • Trailhead: Yeoman Park, Elevation: 9,060' Route: F.S. road 416 to the hut, Total Mileage: 7.6
  • Trailhead: Yeoman Park Elevation: 9,060' Route: F.S. road 415, F.S. Trail 1873 (Ironedge Trail) to the hut Total Mileage: 4.4
  • Trailhead: Sylvan Lake, Elevation: 8,558' Route: F.S. roads 400, F.S. road 416 to the hut, Total Mileage: 10.2
  • Trailhead: Harry Gates Hut, Elevation: 9,700 Route: F.S. road 400, F.S. road 416 to the hut, Total Mileage: 10.8
  • Trailhead: Polar Star Inn, Elevation: 11,040' Route: F.S. road 418, F.S. road 415, Trail 1873 to the hut, Total Mileage: 13.5
  • Trailhead: Polar Star Inn, Elevation: 11,040' Route: F.S. road 418, F.S. road 416 to the hut, Total Mileage: 16.7