The Huts > 10th Mountain Division Hut Association > McNamara Hut

McNamara Hut

Built in 1982, McNamara hut was one of the original two huts in the 10th Mountain system (the other is Margy’s, built during the same summer). The hut is a memorial to Margy McNamara (as Margy’s Hut is as well). Funds to build the hut were donated by Margy’s husband Robert, who served as secretary of defense. The hut is only open during the winter season.

Hut Information

Owned By

10th Mountain Division Hut Association

Open

Winter

Winter Mileage*

6.25

Closest Town

Aspen

Hut Elevation

10,360 '

Cumulative Elevation Gain *

2,285'

Layout

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

*from Hunter Creek Trailhead

Amenities

Heat

Wood

Oven

Wood

Refrigeration

No

Water

Snow Melt**

Toilet

Outhouse, Covered Walkway

Ada Accessible

No

Sauna

No

Fire Ring

No

Grill

No

Dogs

No

Charging

None

Gear Cart

No


** Winter only

Details

  • Firewood, starter paper, matches, axes
  • Propane for kitchen 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, dish soap, hand sanitizer, cleaning supplies, trash bags, toilet paper
  • Solar powered lights
  • 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

39.233116, -106.738876

Official 10th Mountain Division Map

CalTopo

Winter Map : Mt. Yeckel N/S Map

View / Print

National Geographic

Map : Aspen/Independence Pass

USFS

Map : White River National Forest

Trailheads/Routes

The main winter route into the McNamara Hut follows a jeep trail up to the hut. The lower sections of the trail are crossed by other popular day use trails so be mindful of signs and blue diamonds at the different intersections. For a more adventurous journey, consider connecting from Margy’s Hut or the Benedict Huts. Note that much of the trail from the Benedict Huts is in Primitive Wilderness and trail markers are not allowed. Abilities to navigate and break trail are strongly recommended.

Winter Hut Information PDF

Routes

McNamara Hut from Hunter Creek Trailhead/Standard Winter Route

Total Mileage

6.25

Trailhead Elevation

8,380'

Cumulative Elevation Gain

2,285'

McNamara Hut from Upper Hunter Creek Skier Drop-Off Limited Parking

Total Mileage

4.7

Trailhead Elevation

8,691'

Cumulative Elevation Gain

1,839'

Hut to Hut/McNamara Hut to Margy's Hut

Total Mileage

7.9

Trailhead Elevation

10,360'

Cumulative Elevation Gain

2,087'

Cumulative Elevation Loss

1,153'

Hut-Specific Weather

Tonight : Mostly clear, with a low around 23. East northeast wind around 5 mph.

Tuesday : Isolated snow showers between 4pm and 5pm. Sunny, with a high near 44. East northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Tuesday Night : Partly cloudy, with a low around 24. Southeast wind around 5 mph.

Wednesday : A slight chance of snow showers after noon. Sunny, with a high near 43. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Wednesday Night : Mostly clear, with a low around 23. West wind 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday : Mostly sunny, with a high near 44.

Thursday Night : A slight chance of snow showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Friday : A chance of snow showers after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 44.

Friday Night : Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27.

Saturday : A chance of snow showers after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 44.

Saturday Night : A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Sunday : Snow showers. Cloudy, with a high near 37. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Sunday Night : Snow showers likely. Cloudy, with a low around 20. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Monday : Snow showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 31. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 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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