The Sangree M. Froelicher Hut

Sangree Froelicher Hut winter

Formerly the privately owned Belvedere Hut, the Sangree M. Froelicher Hut was purchased in 2003 by 10th Mountain, thanks to the generous support of many donors. The hut's name honors Staff Sergeant Sangree Mitchell Froelicher, 1st Platoon, Company B, 1st Battalion, 86th Mountain Infantry, who was killed in action in Sassomalare, Italy, on March 4, 1945. The hut was built in 1998. 10th Mountain is also pleased to offer the Alpine Resource Center at Sangree's Hut. The Alpine Resource Center is a unique 600 square foot area with its own heat stove, and a comfortable reading, study, and seminar area on the lower level of the hut. Note: the Center will only be available for educational non-profits participating in our Backcountry Exploration Program.

Layout and capacity: Upstairs has 1 room with a double bed, 1 room with 4 single beds, and 10 single beds in a communal sleeping area. Capacity 16.

Hut Location: Sangree M. Froelicher Hut is located at 11,700' in central Colorado, about 10 miles north of the City of Leadville, just southeast of Cooper Hill ski area. [locator map]

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

Maps:

Extended History

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

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

New Parking for Sangree M. Froelicher
Parking is not available at the former parking area or along Buckeye Gulch Road and violators may be towed at their expense. The new parking lot for the Sangree M. Froelicher Hut is on the north side of Highway 91 between mile markers 4 and 5. It is 4.5 miles from the junction of Highways 24 and 91 in Leadville, and 19.5 miles from Highway 91 and I-70 (Copper Mountain). Relative to the former parking area (located at the base of Buckeye Gulch Road), the new parking area is 0.2 mile toward the summit of Fremont Pass on the same side of highway. It is marked with "Public Parking" signs and the suggested route from the parking lot to Buckeye Gulch Road is marked with blue diamonds. Please note that if you depart from this section of the suggested route, you will likely be trespassing on private property. Respect private property and do not trespass. Also, as you ski or hike along Buckeye Gulch Road, expect and respect other users, including vehicles, because this also serves as a driveway for local residents.

The main winter route into the Sangree M. Froelicher Hut follows a combinations of ski trails and old road cuts. Most of the climbing is in the first 2/3rds of the ski in. The first part of the ski trail in crosses private property so please be respectful and stay on the marked trail.

Winter Trail Access

  • Trailhead: Buckeye Gulch, Elevation: 10,160' Route: Via 10th Mountain marked ski trail. Total Mileage: 3.1
  • Trailhead: Ski Cooper, Elevation: 10,570' Route: Via 10th Mountain marked ski trail. Total Mileage: 5.2

The best access into the Sangree Froelicher Hut during the summer is hiking along the marked winter ski trail. The Mt Zion Road does run near the hut but is extremely rough even for 4wd vehicles and is not recommended for summer access. Vehicle access is never guaranteed to any hut at any time.

For day hikes around Sangree Froelicher you drop down into the basin below Buckeye Peak and hike to Buckeye Lake or hike to the top of Buckeye Peak itself for beautiful views of the Sawatch Range.

Click here for summer water source information

Summer Trail Access

  • Trailhead: Buckeye Gulch, Elevation: 10,160' Route: Via 10th Mountain marked ski trail. Total Mileage: 3.1

10th Mountain Division Huts