AVALANCHE HAZARD INFORMATION

Colorado is known for its avalanche prone snowpack. A number of the suggested routes to 10th Mountain 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 by 10th Mountain, but not part of the actual 10th Mountain system, 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).

Below are listed locations where avalanche debris has been found across 10th Mountain’s suggested routes and routes to the Braun huts and Friend’s Hut. We do not have any recorded information regarding terrain around the huts or routes that are not marked. Keep in mind that history does not predict the future and that these records only reflect avalanche activity in the years since each hut was built. Routes with no observations listed should still be traveled with caution and prudence.

We recommend that you start checking the avalanche advisory reports (see phone numbers below) 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 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 always open. While deep snow, bad weather, and white-out conditions are to be anticipated on any trip, a hut credit may be issued if a trip is cancelled due to avalanche danger associated with an extreme avalanche cycle. To be considered for a hut credit, please send us a detailed letter and we will respond in writing as soon as we can. We are sorry, but hut credits can not be approved over the phone.

The following observations were collected from staff members, guides and hut users. We welcome new information. Avalanche size classifications are based on the Canadian Classification system (a hectare is approx. 2.5 acres).

Size Description

• Class(Destructive Potential) 1 Relatively harmless to humans
• Class(Destructive Potential) 2 Could bury or injure a person
• Class(Destructive Potential) 3 Could bury a car, destroy a small building, or break a few trees
• Class(Destructive Potential) 4 Could destroy a railroad car, large truck, several buildings, or a forest up to 4 hectares
• Class(Destructive Potential) 5 Largest snow avalanches known, could destroy a village or a forest of 40 hectares

LOCATIONS OF REPORTED OR OBSERVED AVALANCHE ACTIVITY
ALONG SUGGESTED ROUTES

(Elevations indicate approx. elevation where slide crossed the trail, not starting zones.)

10th Mountain System

Burro Trail to Francie’s

-Approx. 2.5 miles from trailhead, slope on skier’s right (10,400’). Class 1.

Union Creek (Copper Mountain) to Janet’s

-1.78 miles from trailhead on skier’s right. Class 2.

Vail Pass to Janet’s

No avalanche activity observed.

Breckenridge to Section House

No avalanche activity observed.

Como to Section House

No avalanche activity observed.

Vail Pass to Shrine Mountain Inn

No avalanche activity observed.

Commando Run to Shrine Mountain Inn

No avalanche activity observed.

Shrine Mountain Inn to Redcliff

No avalanche activity observed.

Shrine Mountain Inn to Fowler-Hilliard

No avalanche activity observed.

Pando (McAlister Gulch) to Fowler-Hilliard

No avalanche activity observed.

Camp Hale (Resolution Creek) to Fowler-Hilliard

No avalanche activity observed.

Fowler-Hilliard to Jackal

No avalanche activity observed.

Camp Hale (Pearl Creek) to Jackal

No avalanche activity observed.

South Camp Hale (Ranch Creek) to Jackal

No avalanche activity observed.

South Camp Hale (Cataract Creek) to Jackal

-Approx. 1 3/4 mile up Cataract Creek on the Colorado Trail, small bank on skier’s left (10,240’). Class 1-2.

Jackal to Vance’s

No avalanche activity observed.

Tennessee Pass to Vance’s

No avalanche activity observed.

Tennessee Pass to 10th Mountain

No avalanche activity observed.

Crane Park to 10th Mountain

No avalanche activity observed.

10th Mountain to Uncle Bud’s

• Approx. 2 3/4 miles before Uncle Bud’s Hut, as the trail climbs out of Long’s Gulch, gully on skier’s left (11,200’). Class 2.
• Approx. 1.5 miles before Uncle Bud’s Hut, as the trail begins to climb out of Porcupine Gulch, slope on skier’s right (11,600’). Class 2.

Turquoise Lake to Uncle Bud’s

No avalanche activity observed.

Uncle Bud’s to Skinner

No avalanche activity observed.

Turquoise Lake to Skinner

No avalanche activity observed.

Skinner to Betty Bear

No avalanche activity observed.

Road 505 to Betty Bear

No avalanche activity observed.

Hunter Creek to Benedict

No avalanche activity observed.

Benedict to McNamara

No avalanche activity observed.

Hunter Creek to McNamara

No avalanche activity observed.

McNamara to Margy’s

-Approx. 1/4 mile up Spruce Creek from the Spruce Creek/Woody Creek junction, steep hillside on skier’s right (9,480’). Class 2.

Approx. 1/2 mile up Spruce Creek from the Spruce Creek/Woody Creek junction, steep hillside on skier’s left (9,600’). Class 2.

Lenado to Margy’s

• Approx. 1/2 mile up from the trailhead, steep hillside on skier’s right (9,000’). Class 2.
• The trail leaves the road approx. 1 mile up from the trailhead. Just beyond this point, large gully on skier’s left (9,080’). Class 4.
• Approx. 1/4 mile beyond where the trail leaves the road, short path on skier’s right (9,100’). Class 1.
• Approx. 1/2 mile beyond where the trail leaves the road, 2 large gullies (100 yards apart) on skier’s left (9,200’). Class 3-4.
• Approx. 1/2 mile up from where the trail crosses Silver Creek, small slope on skier’s left (8,760’). Class 1.

Norrie/Diamond J to Margy’s

-Approx. 1.5 miles from Norrie along the road to Twin Meadows, steep hillside on skier’s right (8,760’). Class 3.

Granite Lakes to Margy’s

-Approx. 2.5 miles up from the trailhead along the Chapman Road, gully on skier’s left, (9,360’). Class 2-3.

Diamond J to Gates

No avalanche activity observed.

Spring Creek to Gates

-At the junction of the Eagle-Thomasville and Burnt Mountain Roads (5.6 miles from trailhead), small bank on skier’s left (9,320’). Class 1.

Sylvan Lake to Gates

-At Crooked Creek Reservoir, small bank on skier’s right (9,400’). Class 1-2.

Gates to Estin

No avalanche activity observed.

Yeoman Park (Ironedge) to Estin

• Approx. 1/2 mile beyond the Fulford Cave Campground, just beyond the creek crossing, two slopes on skier’s left (9,520’). Class 2.
• Approx. 3/4 mile beyond the Fulford Cave Campground, large slope on skier’s right (9,600’). Class 3-4.

Yeoman Park (Hat Creek) to Estin

No avalanche activity observed.

Sylvan Lake to Estin

No avalanche activity observed.

Estin to Polar Star

No avalanche activity observed.

Yeoman Park to Polar Star

No avalanche activity observed.

West Lake Creek to Polar Star

No avalanche activity observed.

Spraddle Creek to Eiseman

No avalanche activity observed.

Red Sandstone Rd to Eiseman

No avalanche activity observed.

Buckeye Gulch to Sangree M. Froelicher

No avalanche activity observed.

Alfred Braun Huts & The Friends' Hut

Numerous class 3-4 avalanches cross the trails to the huts each year. Some large avalanches have been observed more than 50 times. Avoiding avalanche terrain is not a possibility when accessing some of the huts.

Sundeck (top of Aspen Mountain) to Barnard

No avalanche activity observed.

Barnard to Goodwin-Greene

-1/2 mile past the Barnard Hut, large gully on skier’s right (11,600’). Class 3.

Ashcroft (Express Creek) to Goodwin-Greene

• At 1/2, 3/4, 1, 1.25 and 2 miles up from Ashcroft there are very large slopes and gullies and one area where there was a recorded slide through the trees on skier’s left. All Class 3 or 4.
• At 1/2, 1.25, and 2 miles beyond the Markley Hut on skier’s left. Class 3-4.

Ashcroft (Express Creek) to Markley

-At 1/2, 3/4, 1, 1.25 and 2 miles up from Ashcroft there are very large gullies and one area where there was a recorded slide through the trees on skier’s left. All Class 3 or 4.

Ashcroft to Lindley

• 2.75 miles from the trailhead, skier’s left (9,860’). Class 3.
• 1 mile beyond gate at Cooper Creek, skier’s left (10,200’). Class 2.

Ashcroft to Tagert/Green Wilson

• 1/2 mile beyond the Pine Creek Cookhouse, skier’s right. Class 4.
• 1/4 mile beyond the Cooper Creek and Castle Creek Road junction (2 miles from trailhead), skier’s right. Class 4.
• 3/4 mile beyond the Cooper Creek and Castle Creek Road junction (2 miles from trailhead), skier’s right. Class 4.
• Where the trail crosses Castle Creek (footbridge at 10,160’), skier’s right. Class 4. Observed four times.
• 1/4 mile beyond the footbridge, skier’s right. Class 4.
• 1/2 mile beyond the footbridge, skier’s left. Class 3.
• 3/4 mile beyond the footbridge, skier’s left. Class 3.
• 1.25 miles beyond the footbridge, skier’s left. Class 4.
• 1.5 miles beyond the footbridge, skier’s left. Class 4.
• 200 yards beyond the Mace Hut, Skier’s left. Class 4.
• 1/2 mile beyond the Mace Hut, skier’s left. Class 5.

Tagert/Green Wilson to Friend’s

Many unavoidable slopes (class 2-3) exist as you approach and descend from Pearl Pass. There are many small slopes and gullies enroute whch require expert map, compass, and navigation skills to avoid. Most of the route is above treeline.

Friends' to Crested Butte (Brush Creek Trailhead)

Many class 4 slopes exist in the East Brush Creek Drainage. Many class 3 slopes and gullies exist in the Middle Brush Creek Drainage.

Avalanche Observation Dates

Observations have been made since the first season each hut was open for reservations: