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IMPORTANT! Check out the web page at www.huts.org and click on "what's new" prior to your trip for any last minute changes to parking, routes, access or huts. The Section House was built in 1882 to house the railroad men and their families who took care of a section of the Denver South Park & Pacific narrow gauge railway that ran from Denver to Leadville over Boreas Pass. This historic building, listed with the National Register of Historic Places, was carefully restored from 1992-97. The Section House is equipped with a wood burning heat stove and a cookstove, firewood, propane cook tops, solar and wind powered lights, antique furnishings, sleeping pads and pillows, and other typical hut supplies to accommodate up to 12 guests. You are responsible for your meal preparation, dish-washing, hauling out your food and trash, and keeping and leaving the Section House clean. No Dogs: Because of social, aesthetic and wildlife concerns, and because of the need to melt snow for water, dogs are not permitted near the huts. Motorized Restrictions: Boreas Pass Road leading to the Section House has historically seen very little snowmobile use as it has long been popular with cross country skiers and snowshoers. Please help maintain the quiet, non-motorized experience that the huts provide by not using a snowmobile to haul you or your gear. Motorized vehicles, including snowmobiles, are restricted to a designated route in the vicinity of the Section House and may not approach the Section House. Check-In/Check-Out Time is 1:00 p.m.: Hut turnover time is 1:00 p.m. Please time your travels so you arrive at the Section House after 1:00 p.m. Upon departure, have your bags packed, cabin clean and other items on the "Before Departure - DO" list, which is posted at the check-in area in the cabin, and be ready to depart by 1:00 p.m. USE OF THE SECTION HOUSE BY ONE GROUP: SHA realizes that groups that reserve all of the spaces at the hut are seeking privacy. However, SHA is not able to prevent volunteers or hutmasters from staying in the Hutmaster's Room of cabin when one group has booked the hut. Groups that reserve the entire hut are asked to not overcrowd the cabin by bringing more guests than the reservation allows (maximum 12 guests). Overcrowding causes significant maintenance problems and drains the resources of the cabin. HANDICAP ACCESS: The Section House accommodates persons with disabilities, however, the access to the cabin is still considered a backcountry experience. For more information, please contact SHA at 970-453-8583. SELF-RELIANCE REQUIRED: You are on your own on the trail and at the Section House. You must be self-reliant and prepared for emergencies. Plan ahead and be prepared to execute a self-rescue. The County Sheriff should be contacted in the event of an emergency (call 911). When on the East Slope, contact the Park County Sheriff at 719-836-2771. When on the West Slope, contact the Summit County Sheriff at 970-453-2232, or Summit County Dispatch at 970-668-8600. ACCESS TO THE SECTION HOUSE: There are a number of ways to access the Section House. Recommended routes are shown on the map of the Section House area, which is available for sale from 10th Mountain Division Hut Association (970-925-5775) or from Mountain Outfitters, 112 S. Ridge Street, Breckenridge (970-453-2201). Those of you familiar with the area may know of other routes. The Section House sits at the top of Boreas Pass on the Continental Divide at an elevation of 11,481'. Any nearby trees were cut long ago for railroad and mining operations. Frequent strong winds can make for white-out conditions and low wind-chill temperatures. Be sure to carry a map and compass with you to aid in navigation, especially during times of adverse weather. Please do not leave valuables in your vehicle when parked at the trailheads. FROM BRECKENRIDGE (West Slope of Continental
Divide) Boreas Pass Road: This popular route climbs gradually along the old railroad grade, approximately 6 1/2 miles from the trailhead on Boreas Pass Road. Please park in the designated area for overnight parking at the Boreas Pass Trailhead.
Indiana Creek: There is no public parking at the end of the pavement at Spruce Valley Ranch in Indiana Creek. Overnight parking at this trailhead is not permitted. Therefore, this trailhead and route is not recommended and is not shown on the map.
FROM COMO (East Slope of Continental Divide)
Gold Dust Trail: This five-mile single-track follows old ditches and wagon roads, providing an interesting alternative to Boreas Pass Road. It also allows East Slope skiers to make a loop to come and go from the Section House by using Boreas Pass Road. The Gold Dust Trail is intermittently marked with blue diamonds. For more information, contact:
Summit Huts Association PO Box 2830, Breckenridge, CO 80424 970-453-8583 summithuts@colorado.net Section House is located in the Pike-San Isabel National Forest and operates under special use permit from the Forest Service -- USDA. SHA is an equal opportunity service provider. 10th
MOUNTAIN DIVISION HUT ASSOCIATION |