BETTY BEAR HUT

Betty Bear Hut is a terrific destination for intermediate backcountry skiers, although the steep section from Road 505 to the hut can be challenging for skiers with less than strong intermediate skiing skills on the ascent and descent. It's located near the Continental Divide, surrounded by a variety of terrain, and accessed via a long, snow-covered road that's a beautiful run on light touring equipment (albeit with the aforementioned short, steeper climb as the final test before reaching the hut).

Hut Elevation: 11,100'

Layout and capacity: 3 private rooms with double beds (one has a curtain instead of a door), 1 single bunk (up and down), and 8 beds in a communal sleeping area. Capacity 16.

Hut Location: Betty Bear Hut is located in central Colorado, between the cities of Leadville and Aspen, on the western slope of the Continental Divide near Hagerman Pass. [locator map]

Maps:
Official 10th Mountain, Winter: Upper Fryingpan [example]
Official 10th Mountain, Summer: Aspen
USGS Map: Nast Quadrangle
USFS Forest Visitor's Map: White River National Forest

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

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

Winter Trail Access

• Trailhead: Road 505, elevation 9,120' Route: F.S. road 505, ski trail to the hut, Total Mileage 6.9
Spring Snow Plowing of U.S. Forest Service Road 505
Each spring, the Bureau of Reclamation plows roads in the Upper Fryingpan River Drainage to facilitate work on the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project water diversion facilities prior to spring snowmelt. Plowing occurs annually during the months of March or April, depending upon snowpack and work requirements. Hut users accessing Betty Bear via the Road 505 trailhead during this time may be affected. The suggested parking for this route is at the designated Road 505 trailhead, regardless of plowing status. For detailed information, including an up-to-date plowing schedule, please contact the U.S. Forest Service Sopris Ranger District at 970-963-2266.

• Trailhead: Skinner Hut, elevation 11,620', Total Mileage 4.4

Summer Trail Access         [click here for summer water source information]

• Trailhead: Road 105, elevation 9,140' Route: F.S. road 105, F.S. road 527 to the hut, Total Mileage 17.3

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Trailhead: Skinner Hut, elevation 11,620' Route: F.S. road 105, F.S. road 527 to the hut, Total Mileage 10.9

• Trailhead: Road 505, elevation 9,120' Route: F.S. road 505, Trail 1907 to the hut, Total Mileage 6.5

(For trailhead details, please see left-hand menu at top of page.)