The Huts > 10th Mountain Division Hut Association > Peter Estin Hut

Peter Estin Hut

Built in 1985, the Peter Estin Hut was the third publicly funded hut added to the 10th Mountain Division system. This hut represents the “standard” for early 10th Mountain Huts. It stands two stories high, with a commodious deck jutting from the front door. Plenty of glass faces the sunny southern views toward the Elk and Williams Ranges, where a trail descends to Lime Park, making a beautiful connection to the Gates Hut and the Upper Frying Pan Valley. The Estin Hut is also linked by trail north to the Polar Star Hut.

Funds were donated by the Estin family in memory of Peter Estin, who attended Dartmouth College, where he was a member of the ski team from 1944 to 1947. Later, Peter Estin brought his skills to Sugarbush Valley in Warren, Vermont where he was director of the ski school. During summers up north, Peter preferred winters down south where he served as director of the ski school in Portillo, Chile. His dream to start a ski school at Aspen Highlands was beginning to become a reality when Peter died in 1962. In addition to being a beautiful skier, Peter Estin was a cartoonist for the New Yorker and author of “Skiing the American Way.”

Hut Information

Owned By

10th Mountain Division Hut Association

Open

Summer / Winter

Winter Mileage*

4.0

Closest Town

Eagle

Hut Elevation

11,200 '

Cumulative Elevation Gain *

2,156'

Layout

Downstairs: 4 single beds. Upstairs: 2 private bedrooms with one double bed each, plus 8 beds in a communal sleeping area.

*from Yeoman Park Trailhead (Winter)

Amenities

Heat

Wood

Oven

Wood

Refrigeration

No

Water

Cistern, Stream*, Snow Melt**

Toilet

Outhouse

Ada Accessible

No

Sauna

No

Fire Ring

Yes*

Grill

No

Dogs

No

Charging

None

Gear Cart

Yes*

* Summer only
** Winter only

Details

  • Firewood, starter paper, matches, axes
  • Propane for kitchen burners
  • Cupboard or closet for cold food storage
  • Snow collection buckets and large pot for melting snow on wood-burning heat stove (suggested use of snowmelt water is for drinking)
  • Hand pump located just outside the hut dispenses water from spring-fed cistern (suggested use of cistern water is for drinking if filtered, and cleaning)
  • Pots, pans, potholders, dishware, cooking and eating utensils, percolator, salt & pepper
  • Paper towels, dish soap, hand sanitizer, cleaning supplies, trash bags, toilet paper
  • Solar powered lights
  • Mattresses, pillows

Book This Hut

Capacity

16

Price

$37/person/night*
*Children 12 & Under 50% Off

Visit our Online Booking Platform to search for availability and book this hut.

Location

39.464958, -106.649437

Official 10th Mountain Division Map

CalTopo

Winter Map : Charles Peak N/S Map

View / Print

National Geographic

Map : Eagles Nest/Holy Cross; Holy Cross/Ruedi Reservoir

USFS

Map : White River National Forest

Trailheads/Routes

The most common route into the Peter Estin hut is via the Ironedge Trail which begins near Yeoman Park. An alternative route is via Hat Creek Road which is longer but less steep. If you are pulling a sled with gear or child, Hat Creek Road is usually the smarter choice.

Winter Hut Information PDF

Routes

Peter Estin Hut from Yeoman Park Trailhead via Ironedge/Standard Winter Route

Total Mileage

4.0

Trailhead Elevation

9,060'

Cumulative Elevation Gain

2,156'

Peter Estin Hut from Yeoman Park Trailhead via Hat Creek Road

Total Mileage

7.1

Trailhead Elevation

9,060'

Cumulative Elevation Gain

2,228'

Peter Estin Hut from Sylvan Lake Trailhead

Total Mileage

9.3

Trailhead Elevation

8,558'

Cumulative Elevation Gain

2,778'

Hut to Hut/Peter Estin Hut to Harry Gates Hut

Total Mileage

7.1

Trailhead Elevation

11,200'

Cumulative Elevation Gain

752'

Cumulative Elevation Loss

2,257'

Hut to Hut/Peter Estin to Polar Star Inn & Seipel Hut via Ironedge and Newcomer Spring

Total Mileage

7.5

Trailhead Elevation

11,200'

Cumulative Elevation Gain

2,123'

Cumulative Elevation Loss

2,266'

Hut to Hut/Peter Estin Hut to Polar Star Inn & Seipel Hut via Hat Creek and Fulford Road

Total Mileage

13.0

Trailhead Elevation

11,200'

Cumulative Elevation Gain

2,203'

Cumulative Elevation Loss

2,349'

In the summertime you can access the Peter Estin Hut by hiking up the Ironedge trail or by driving in from either Sylvan Lake or Yeoman Park to the designated parking area approximately 1/4 mile from the hut. You can also drive in from the Fryingpan River Road on FS 400 and FS 416 but be aware that FS 400 can be very slick and dangerous when wet so watch the weather if you are planning on using it to access the hut. Vehicle access is never guaranteed to any hut at any time.

There are numerous hiking options around the Peter Estin Hut. You can follow the trail along the ridge towards Charles Peak or drop down toward Mystic Island Lake. For a long day of hiking you can drop down from the top of Charles Peak towards Woods Lake as well.

Summer Water Source Information
Summer Hut Information PDF

Routes

Hike on Trail to Peter Estin Hut from Fulford Cave Trailhead via FS Trail 1873 (aka Ironedge Trail)

Trailhead Elevation

9,446'

4WD High Clearance to Peter Estin Hut from Basalt via FS Rds 400 & 416

Trailhead Elevation

0'

4WD High Clearance to Peter Estin Hut from Eagle/Sylvan Lake via FS Rds 400 & 416

Trailhead Elevation

0'

4WD High Clearance to Peter Estin Hut from Eagle/Yeoman Park via FS Rd 416 (aka Hat Creek Rd)

Trailhead Elevation

0'

Hut-Specific Weather

Today : Snow showers likely before 11am, then snow showers likely and patchy blowing snow between 11am and noon, then snow showers and patchy blowing snow and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 29. Southwest wind 10 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

Tonight : Snow showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 21. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of around one inch possible.

Saturday : A slight chance of snow showers before 10am, then patchy blowing snow and a slight chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 34. South southwest wind 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

Saturday Night : A chance of snow showers and patchy blowing snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22. South southwest wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Sunday : Snow showers likely and areas of blowing snow before noon, then snow showers and areas of blowing snow and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 29. Southwest wind around 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Sunday Night : A chance of snow showers and patchy blowing snow and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 13. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Monday : Snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 26. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Monday Night : A chance of snow showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 12.

Tuesday : Mostly sunny, with a high near 30.

Tuesday Night : Mostly clear, with a low around 16.

Wednesday : Sunny, with a high near 37.

Wednesday Night : Mostly clear, with a low around 19.

Thursday : A slight chance of rain and snow showers after noon. Sunny, with a high near 39.

Thursday Night : A chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24. 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.

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