The Huts > 10th Mountain Division Hut Association > Fowler-Hilliard Hut

Fowler-Hilliard Hut

The Fowler/Hilliard Hut, owned and operated by 10th Mountain, was originally constructed in the summer of 1988. It was named for Ann Fowler and Ed Hilliard, avid mountaineers tragically killed in a climbing accident on North Maroon Peak near Aspen. Hut construction was generously funded by the Fowler and Hilliard families, and family friends. The hut site was first scouted in April 1984 and the hut proposal was formally approved in a June 1988 decision by the US Forest Service. It was available to the public the following winter, and has proven to be one of the most popular huts in the 10th Mountain Division Hut System.  10th Mountain rebuilt the Fowler/Hilliard Hut in the summer of 2010 because the original hut burned in September 2009.

Hut Information

Owned By

10th Mountain Division Hut Association

Open

Summer / Winter

Winter Mileage*

5.2

Closest Town

Leadville

Hut Elevation

11,500 '

Cumulative Elevation Gain *

2,539'

Layout

Upstairs: 1 room with a double bed and 2 single mattresses, 1 room with 3 single beds, and 10 single beds in a communal sleeping area.

*from Pando Trailhead

Amenities

Heat

Wood

Oven

Wood

Refrigeration

No

Water

Cistern, Stream*, Snow Melt**

Toilet

Outhouse

Ada Accessible

Yes

Sauna

No

Fire Ring

Yes*

Grill

No

Dogs

No

Charging

None

Gear Cart

Yes*

* Summer only
** Winter only
Applies to the hut structure, not to route considerations

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 and on propane-fired snowmelt burner (suggested use of snowmelt water is for drinking and cooking)
  • 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, salt & pepper
  • Paper towels, dish soap, hand sanitizer, cleaning supplies, trash bags, toilet paper
  • Solar powered lights
  • Mattresses, pillow

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

39.492912, -106.290154

Official 10th Mountain Division Map

CalTopo

Winter Map : Camp Hale N/S Map

View / Print

National Geographic

Map : Eagles Nest/Holy Cross; Breckenridge/Tennessee Pass

USFS

Map : White River National Forest

Trailheads/Routes

The main winter route into the Fowler-Hilliard Hut follows a snow-covered road up McCallister Gulch which is closed to motorized use during the winter. For a slight longer and more gradual ski in, you can follow the road along Resolution Creek (groomed for snowmobiles – expect and respect all users) for about 3 1/2 miles before leaving the road to switchback up to the hut.

This hut is located in the Vail Pass Winter Recreation Area. Use of this hut during the winter requires payment of additional fees to the U.S. Forest service that will be charged at the time you make your reservation. This is not a parking fee and it applies regardless of which trailhead is used. The $10.00 per person per night fee is in effect from Thanksgiving through the end of April, children 15 and under are free.

Winter Hut Information PDF

Routes

Fowler-Hilliard Hut from Pando Trailhead via McCallister Gulch/Standard Winter Route

Total Mileage

5.2

Trailhead Elevation

9,200'

Cumulative Elevation Gain

2,539'

Cumulative Elevation Loss

243'

Fowler-Hilliard Hut from Camp Hale Trailhead via Resolution Road and Resolution Mtn

Total Mileage

6.4

Trailhead Elevation

9,250'

Cumulative Elevation Gain

2,496'

Fowler-Hilliard Hut from Red Cliff Trailhead

Total Mileage

8.0

Trailhead Elevation

8,809'

Cumulative Elevation Gain

3,214'

Hut to Hut/Fowler-Hilliard Hut to Shrine Mountain Inn

Total Mileage

6.6

Trailhead Elevation

11,500'

Cumulative Elevation Gain

1,014'

Cumulative Elevation Loss

1,320'

Hut to Hut/Fowler-Hilliard Hut to Jackal Hut

Total Mileage

7.8

Trailhead Elevation

11,500'

Cumulative Elevation Gain

2,097'

Cumulative Elevation Loss

2,232'

The main summer access to the Fowler-Hilliard Hut is by hiking, biking or driving up Resolution Creek Road to the summer closure gate approximately 1/4 mile from the hut. There are no established hiking trails to the Fowler-Hilliard Hut and most of the other roads leading in are very rough and not recommended for vehicle access. Vehicle access is never guaranteed to any hut at any time.

For day hiking you can head to the top of Resolution Mountain or over towards Ptarmigan Hill. The numerous roads and jeep trails in the area can make for some fine mountain bike loops.

Summer Water Source Information
Summer Hut Information PDF

Routes

4WD High Clearance to Fowler-Hilliard Hut via FS Rds 714, 702 & 751

Total Mileage

8.0

Trailhead Elevation

0'

Cumulative Elevation Gain

2,250'

Hut-Specific Weather

Tonight : Mostly clear, with a low around 15. Southwest wind around 5 mph.

Tuesday : Isolated rain and snow showers after 3pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 37. West northwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Tuesday Night : Partly cloudy, with a low around 16. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday : A chance of snow showers after noon. Sunny, with a high near 35. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Wednesday Night : Mostly clear, with a low around 16. West northwest wind around 10 mph.

Thursday : Mostly sunny, with a high near 36.

Thursday Night : A slight chance of snow showers before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 19. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Friday : A chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 37. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

Friday Night : A slight chance of snow showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 21. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Saturday : A chance of snow showers after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 37.

Saturday Night : A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Sunday : Snow showers. Cloudy, with a high near 30. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Sunday Night : Snow showers. Cloudy, with a low around 15. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Monday : Snow showers. Cloudy, with a high near 24. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches 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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