UNCLE BUD'S HUT

Uncle Bud's Hut is named after war hero.

Uncle Bud's Hut, owned by 10th Mountain, is similar in aspect and construction to the 10th Mountain Division Hut. Views from the south window-wall include a panorama of 14,421-foot Mount Massive and the bare pate of Bald Eagle Mountain. The hut was built as a memorial to 10th Mountain Division veteran Bud Winter (1925-1945), who was killed in action in Italy during World War II, and was one of 33 soldiers who completed the legendary "trooper traverse" winter ski crossing from Leadville to Aspen in February of 1944. Funds for the hut were given by Bud's brother, Dr. Fred Winter. His sister Laura contributed the proceeds from her poetry book Laura's Lines.

Burdell "Bud" Winter during training with 10th Mountain Division.

This hut, combined with the Skinner Hut and BettyBear Hut, allows travel over Hagerman Pass to the Frying Pan drainage, thus forming a huge loop that strong skiers can enjoy. Uncle Bud's Hut is very accessible from Leadville via a moderate trailhead-to-hut route from Turquoise Lake. Use this route to reach the hut quickly, then spend a few days base skiing. Or if you're learning backcountry skiing, use this route as a step on your ladder of learning.

Hut Elevation: 11,380'

Layout and capacity: Capacity 16.

Hut Location: Uncle Bud's Hut is is another of 10th Mountain's more alpine hostels. It sits just under the Continental Divide, about 10 miles northwest of the town of Leadville, in central Colorado. [locator map]

Maps:
Official 10th Mountain, Winter: Galena Mountain, also shown on Continental Divide [example]
Official 10th Mountain, Summer: Leadville
USGS Map: Homestake Reservoir Quadrangle
USFS Forest Visitor's Map: San Isabel 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: Turquoise Lake, elevation 9,760' Route: F.S. road 104, F.S. road 107 to the hut, Total Mileage 5.9

• Trailhead: Skinner Hut, elevation 11,620' Route: Glacier Creek Trail, Colorado Trail to the hut, Total Mileage 7

• Trailhead: 10th Mountain Division Hut, elevation 11,370', Total Mileage 7.3

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

• Trailhead: Turquoise Lake, elevation 9,800' Route: F.S. road 104, F.S. road 107 to the hut, Total Mileage 5.9

• Trailhead: West Turquoise Lake, elevation 10,030' Route: Colorado Trail to the hut, Total Mileage 4

• Trailhead: 10th Mountain Division Hut, elevation 11,370' Route: F.S. road 100, Colorado Trail to the hut, Total Mileage 11.3

• Trailhead: Skinner Hut, elevation 11,620' Route: F.S. road 105, F.S. road 104 (Turquoise Lake Road), F.S. road 107 to the hut, Total Mileage 17.7

• Trailhead: Crane Park, elevation 10,137' Route: F.S. road 100, Colorado Trail to the hut, Total Mileage 9.1

• Trailhead: Tennessee Pass, elevation 10,424' Route: Colorado Trail to the hut, Total Mileage 9.7

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