The Huts > Privately Owned > Emmelyn Hut
Emmelyn Hut
Emmelyn Hut is the latest addition to the 10th Mountain Hut System. Built and owned by Leadville resident Cannon Shockley, the 10-person hut is memorialized to Shockley’s paternal grandmother, Emmelyn, who was a guiding force in Shockley’s life. The hut also recognizes Shockley’s love of the mountains surrounding his chosen home and pays homage with sweeping views of the Sawatch Range, from Mt. of the Holy Cross to Mt. Elbert, the highest peak among the Colorado Fourteeners.
Situated north of Leadville at 11,150 feet in the East Tennessee Creek drainage, Emmelyn Hut links Sangree’s Hut and Ski Cooper. The unique Al Beyer design utilizes timber frame construction and includes the latest energy efficiency with solar lighting, composting toilets, and a wood-burning stove. The two-level hut faces southwest.
Hut Information
Owned By
Privately Owned
Open
Summer / Winter
Winter Mileage*
3.4
Closest Town
Leadville
Hut Elevation
11,150 '
Cumulative Elevation Gain *
1,164'
Layout
Main level: 1 private bedroom with a double bed. Upstairs: 1 private bedroom with a double bed and a communal sleeping area with 1 double-bed bunk, 1 double bed and 1 single bed.
*from East Tennessee Trailhead
Amenities
Heat
Wood
Oven
Wood
Refrigeration
No
Water
Cistern, Stream*, Snow Melt**
Toilet
Composting Toilet
Ada Accessible
No
Sauna
No
Fire Ring
No
Grill
No
Dogs
No
Charging
USB
Gear Cart
Yes*
* Summer only
** Winter only
Details
- Firewood, starter paper, matches, axes
- Propane for kitchen burners
- Wood-burning heat stove has small oven box
- Indoor composting toilet, toilet paper
- Hand pump in kitchen dispenses water from cistern filled with roof-catchment system (suggested use of cistern water is for cleaning only)
- Pots, pans, potholders, dishware, cooking and eating utensils, percolator or French press, salt & pepper
- Paper towels, dish soap, hand sanitizer, cleaning supplies, trash bags
- Solar powered lights and USB charging ports
- Mattresses, pillows
Book This Hut
Visit our Online Booking Platform to search for availability and book this hut.
Location
Official 10th Mountain Division Map
CalTopo
Winter Map : Continental Divide E/W + Betty Bear Map
View / PrintNational Geographic
Map : Pending
USFS
Map : San Isabel National Forest
Trailheads/Routes
The suggested winter route from the East Tennessee Trailhead is a very pleasant ski or snowshoe as it climbs very gently across the valley floor and proceeds more steeply to the hut. For the first part of the trail, use narrow, short skins if you have them or consider Nordic kick wax. These methods might work for the steeper sections of trail closer to the hut depending on abilities and stubbornness. Wider and longer skins are recommended for day trips from the hut, especially if heading up to Mt. Zion or connecting across to Sangree’s Hut.
Routes
Emmelyn Hut from East Tennessee Trailhead/Standard Winter Route
Total Mileage
3.4
Trailhead Elevation
10,007'
Cumulative Elevation Gain
1,164'
Hut to Hut/Emmelyn Hut to Sangree M. Froelicher Hut
Total Mileage
2.7
Trailhead Elevation
11,150'
Cumulative Elevation Gain
934'
Cumulative Elevation Loss
415'
In summer guests can hike or mountain bike FS Road 102. There are no established summer hiking trails to this hut. If using a vehicle, FS Road 102 is an Extreme 4WD high clearance access road. Vehicle access is never guaranteed to any hut at any time.
Summer Water Source Information
Summer Hut Information PDF
Routes
Hike on Dirt Road to Emmelyn Hut from East Tennessee Summer Trailhead via FS Rd 102
Total Mileage
3.5
Trailhead Elevation
10,007'
Cumulative Elevation Gain
1,164'
Extreme 4WD High Clearance to Emmelyn Hut via FS Rd 102
Total Mileage
3.25
Trailhead Elevation
10,007'
Cumulative Elevation Gain
1,164'
Hut-Specific Weather
Overnight : Mostly clear, with a low around 26. South wind around 5 mph.
Saturday : A slight chance of snow showers between 11am and noon, then a slight chance of snow showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms between noon and 1pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 1pm and 2pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 2pm and 5pm, then a chance of thunderstorms and a chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 53. South southwest wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Saturday Night : A chance of thunderstorms and a chance of rain and snow showers before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. South wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Sunday : A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 54. South wind 10 to 25 mph.
Sunday Night : A slight chance of thunderstorms and rain and snow showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24. Southwest wind 20 to 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of around one inch possible.
Monday : A chance of snow showers before 9am, then a chance of snow showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 35. West wind 20 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Monday Night : A chance of snow showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24. West wind 25 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Tuesday : A chance of snow showers before noon, then a chance of snow showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 38. West wind 20 to 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Tuesday Night : A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 19. West wind 15 to 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.
Wednesday : A slight chance of snow showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 36. West wind 15 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Wednesday Night : A chance of snow showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 19. West northwest wind 10 to 15 mph.
Thursday : A chance of snow showers before noon, then a chance of snow showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 41. South wind 10 to 15 mph. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Thursday Night : A chance of snow showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
Friday : A chance of snow showers before noon, then snow showers likely and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 43. South southwest wind 10 to 15 mph. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.
Contents
Notices
Avalanche Hazard Information
Colorado is known for its avalanche prone snowpack. A number of the suggested routes to 10th Mountain Division 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 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). Another excellent resource is the Forest Service National Avalanche Center website. While this site doesn’t have local forecasts it does have a wealth of information on backcountry travel in avalanche terrain and snow science, as well as tutorials on some basic skills and snow science.
We recommend that you start checking the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) Website 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, other than those in the Braun Hut System and the Friends’ Hut, 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 not closed for avalanche hazard reasons.