The High Lonesome Hut

High Lonesome Hut winter

High Lonesome hut is nestled on a timbered mountainside, built on an historic logging claim and operated by the father/son team of Andy and Skyler Miller. Andy, a contractor in Grand County for 25 years, designed and built this hybrid timber frame hut in 1995 with tight interior log work for a cabin feel. Miller grew up in a family-owned lodge – the Idlewild Inn at Winter Park – so he has made sure that High Lonesome extends the same family-style mountain experience. Andy’s two sons helped their father as young children. “When I was five, I remember pounding nails for floorboards,” reflects Skyler, who is a builder in his own right.

The hut sits on a wooded peninsula at the edge of meadow and is named for a nearby mountain where ski touring is inviting through conifer forests and open glades, and where routes go off the property onto Forest lands opening to vistas of the Front Range and surrounding ranges.

High Lonesome is an ideal beginner/intermediate hut trip given its moderate altitude of 9,300 feet when compared to most of the far higher 10th Mountain Huts. Many High Lonesome visitors are first time hut users because the Hut is accessible to anyone in good physical condition and is an excellent playground for children. The trail is a short 2.5 miles over rolling terrain that climbs 600 feet.

Another unique aspect of the hut is that dogs are welcome. This is the only hut reserved by 10th Mountain that allows dogs.

Layout and capacity: Upstairs: 3 singles and 1 double in a communal sleeping area, 2 singles and 1 double in a separate room. Main Level: Bunk bed (2 singles). Downstairs: Bunk bed (2 singles). Capacity 12.

Additional Amenities: High Lonesome has solar lights, an enclosed entryway and covered porch, flush toilet, hot shower and running, potable water. A propane range with oven is provided for cooking. A wood-burning stove is the main source of heat, so the smell of wood smoke flavors the atmosphere and lends a rustic quality. There is neither cell nor wifi at the hut in the interest of keeping the experience rural and remote but there is a cd player and guitar.

Hut Location: The High Lonesome Hut is located at 9,300’ east of US 40 between Fraser and Tabernash, near Meadow Creek Reservoir, about 65 miles west of Denver and 15 minutes west of Winter Park. From US Hwy 40, drive County Road 83 to CR 84 to the Trailhead Parking area (4 miles). [Trailhead Directions] [locator map]

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

Maps:

  • Official 10th Mountain, Winter & Summer Trail Access: PDF (For the most accurate results when printing choose "no scaling" on your print options.)
  • Official 10th Mountain, Winter & Summer Driving Directions: PDF (For the most accurate results when printing choose "no scaling" on your print options.)
  • USGS Map: Strawberry Lake Quadrangle
  • USFS Forest Visitor's Map: Arapaho National Forest

Dates Open: Summer: June 1st through August 30th. Winter: November 10th through May 31st

Owned By: Privately Owned Oven: Propane Sauna: No Heat Stove: Wood

The route to the High Lonesome Hut in winter is 2.5 miles of generally flat, rolling terrain through picturesque meadows and open timber. There is limited downhill skiing around the hut but the gentle, rolling terrain offers numerous cross-country touring options.

Winter Trail Access

  • Trailhead: Meadow Creek, Elevation: 9,128' Route: Via ski trail, Total Mileage: 2.5

In the summer you can get to the High Lonesome Hut by hiking the winter trail. There are numerous day hiking and mountain biking options around the hut in summer.

Click here for summer water source information

Summer Trail Access

  • Trailhead: Meadow Creek, Elevation: 9,128' Route: Via summer hiking trail, Total Mileage: 2.5