The Huts > 10th Mountain Division Hut Association > Margy’s Hut

Margy’s Hut

Built in 1982, Margy’s Hut (along with the McNamara Hut) was one of the first two huts in the 10th Mountain system. The building of these two huts represented a major step for the fledgling organization, which had to promise the Forest Service that the huts would be razed if they were not used. Hut construction was funded by Robert McNamara (former secretary of defense) and friends, in memorial to Robert’s wife Margy.

Hut Information

Owned By

10th Mountain Division Hut Association

Open

Summer / Winter

Winter Mileage*

5.8

Closest Town

Aspen

Hut Elevation

11,300 '

Cumulative Elevation Gain *

2,615'

Layout

Main Level: Bunk room that sleeps 4. Upstairs: 1 room with a double bed, 10 single beds in a communal sleeping area.

*from Lenado Trailhead

Amenities

Heat

Wood

Oven

Wood

Refrigeration

No

Water

Stream*, Snow Melt**

Toilet

Outhouse

Ada Accessible

No

Sauna

No

Fire Ring

Yes*

Grill

No

Dogs

No

Charging

None

Gear Cart

Yes*

* Summer only
** Winter only

Details

  • Firewood, starter paper, matches, axes
  • Propane for burners
  • Cupboard or closet for cold food storage
  • Snow collection buckets and large pot for melting snow on wood-burning heat stove (suggested use of snowmelt water is for drinking, cooking and cleaning)
  • Pots, pans, potholders, dishware, cooking and eating utensils, percolator, salt & pepper
  • Paper towels, dishwashing soap, hand sanitizer, cleaning supplies, trash bags, toilet paper
  • Photovoltaic (solar powered) lighting
  • Mattresses, pillows

Book This Hut

Capacity

16

Price

$37/person/night*
*Children 12 & Under 50% Off

Visit our Online Booking Platform to search for availability and book this hut.

Location

39.275253, -106.713470

Official 10th Mountain Division Map

CalTopo

Winter Map : Mt. Yeckel N/S Map

View / Print

National Geographic

Map : Holy Cross/Ruedi Reservoir

USFS

Map : White River National Forest

Trailheads/Routes

There several fine routes into Margy’s Hut. The most frequently-used winter route is from the Lenado Trailhead via Johnson Creek and follows clearly-defined road and trail platforms to the hut, with magnificent views to the south along the way. A less frequently-used route from the Norrie Trailhead (which offers ample parking) is a bit longer, requires more navigation skills, is more remote, and has stellar views especially at the top of Sawmill Park. A third choice is from the Lenado Trailhead via Woody Creek and Spruce Creek drainages which requires strong navigation skills and trailbreaking capabilities.

Winter Hut Information PDF

Routes

Margy's Hut from Lenado Trailhead via Johnson Creek/Standard Winter Route

Total Mileage

5.8

Trailhead Elevation

8,640'

Cumulative Elevation Gain

2,615'

Margy's Hut from Norrie Trailhead

Total Mileage

7.4

Trailhead Elevation

8,440'

Cumulative Elevation Gain

3,147'

Margy's Hut from Granite Lakes Trailhead

Total Mileage

8.9

Trailhead Elevation

8,760'

Cumulative Elevation Gain

3,061'

Cumulative Elevation Loss

475'

Margy's Hut from Lenado Trailhead via Woody Creek and Spruce Creek

Trailhead Elevation

8,640'

Hut to Hut/Margy's Hut to McNamara Hut

Total Mileage

8.2

Trailhead Elevation

11,300'

Cumulative Elevation Gain

1,153'

Cumulative Elevation Loss

2,087'

During the summer, Margy’s can be reached by driving in along FS Road 103 to the summer closure gate approximately 1/4 mile from the hut. Alternatively, for a beautiful, secluded hike you can follow the Woody Creek to Spruce Creek to Sawmill Park and follow the Mt. Yeckel trail to the hut. Vehicle access is never guaranteed to any hut at any time.

From Margy’s Hut you can hike to the top of Mt. Yeckel for stunning views of the Fryingpan River Valley to the north and the Elk Mountains to the south. There is also an extensive network of Forest Service roads that extend west into Kobey Park that make for some fun mountain biking.

Summer Water Source Information
Summer Hut Information PDF

Routes

Hike on Trail to Margy's Hut from Woody Creek Trailhead via FS Trails 1994, 1927 & 1927.2

Total Mileage

6.2

Trailhead Elevation

8,640'

Cumulative Elevation Gain

2,660'

4WD High Clearance to Margy's Hut from Lenado via FS Rds 103 & 526

Trailhead Elevation

0'

Hike on Trail to Margy's Hut from Twin Meadows Trailhead via Foster Gulch/FS Trails 1927 & 1927.2

Total Mileage

4.6

Trailhead Elevation

9,430'

Hut-Specific Weather

Overnight : Mostly clear, with a low around 19. East southeast wind around 5 mph.

Tuesday : Sunny, with a high near 39. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

Tuesday Night : A slight chance of rain and snow showers before 9pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 20. East southeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Wednesday : A slight chance of snow showers between noon and 3pm, then a slight chance of rain and snow showers. Sunny, with a high near 39. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Wednesday Night : Mostly clear, with a low around 19. West wind 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday : Mostly sunny, with a high near 40.

Thursday Night : A slight chance of rain and snow showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 21. Chance of precipitation is 20%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Friday : A chance of snow showers after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 40.

Friday Night : A slight chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24.

Saturday : A chance of snow showers after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 40.

Saturday Night : A chance of snow showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Sunday : Snow showers. Cloudy, with a high near 33. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Sunday Night : Snow showers. Cloudy, with a low around 16. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Monday : Snow showers. Cloudy, with a high near 28. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Contents

Notices

Avalanche Hazard Information

Colorado is known for its avalanche prone snowpack. A number of the suggested routes to 10th Mountain Division Huts pass through or are next to terrain that may be prone to avalanches. Accordingly, pick the suggested route that most suits your group and its abilities, carry appropriate equipment, and always exercise prudent backcountry travel techniques when passing through avalanche prone terrain. Remember, avalanches can occur in forested areas and can run into forested areas from open slopes. Moreover, a number of huts booked are situated in the midst of extreme avalanche terrain. Many other huts, while located in more modest terrain, still have access routes that cross avalanche paths.

We strongly suggest that someone in every group be experienced in evaluating avalanche and snow stability hazards and practicing prudent backcountry and winter mountain travel techniques. For up-to-date avalanche information for all of Colorado, visit the website for the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC). Another excellent resource is the Forest Service National Avalanche Center website. While this site doesn’t have local forecasts, it does have a wealth of information on backcountry travel in avalanche terrain and snow science, as well as tutorials on some basic skills and snow science.

We recommend that you start checking the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) website regularly before your trip to see how conditions are evolving. Study your maps to see what type of terrain you will be traveling through to see if there are alternative routes that might be feasible if snow stability conditions deteriorate. During most of the winter, travel to the huts, other than those in the Braun Hut System and the Friends’ Hut, is possible with a relatively minor degree of risk. However, if your trip falls within a period or cycle of high or extreme instability, you must make the decision of whether or not to go. The huts are not closed for avalanche hazard reasons.

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