The Huts > 10th Mountain Division Hut Association > Jackal Hut

Jackal Hut

Located near timberline in an area used by 10th Mountain troops during their war training in the 1940s, Jackal Hut has good nearby skiing and terrific views of several stunning 14,000-foot peaks. The hut was built with money donated by Jack Schuss and Al Zesiger, two strong supporters of 10th Mountain (the name is an eponymous combo of Jack-Al).

Hut Information

Owned By

10th Mountain Division Hut Association

Open

Summer / Winter

Winter Mileage*

3.8

Closest Town

Leadville

Hut Elevation

11,660 '

Cumulative Elevation Gain *

2,436'

Layout

Upstairs: 1 room with 3 single beds, 1 room with 4 single beds, and 10 single beds in a communal sleeping area.

*from South Camp Hale Trailhead

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

No

* 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 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, 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

39.438282, -106.277618

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 Jackal Hut follows FS Road 755 which climbs very steeply out of South Camp Hale. Although this route is only 3.8 miles it gains over 2500 feet of elevation so be prepared for the steep climb. A more gentle, albeit longer, access route is via Resolution road and Pearl Creek. Resolution road is groomed and is heavily used by snowmobiles.

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 US 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

Jackal Hut from South Camp Hale Trailhead/Standard Winter Route

Total Mileage

3.8

Trailhead Elevation

9,280'

Cumulative Elevation Gain

2,436'

Jackal Hut from Camp Hale Trailhead via Pearl Creek

Total Mileage

6.7

Trailhead Elevation

9,250'

Cumulative Elevation Gain

2,487'

Hut to Hut/Jackal Hut to Fowler-Hilliard Hut

Total Mileage

7.8

Trailhead Elevation

11,660'

Cumulative Elevation Gain

2,097'

Cumulative Elevation Loss

2,232'

Hut to Hut/Jackal Hut to Vance's Cabin

Total Mileage

8.4

Trailhead Elevation

11,660'

Cumulative Elevation Gain

1,637'

Cumulative Elevation Loss

2,317'

Hut to Hut/Jackal Hut to Janet's Cabin via Tim's Traverse

Trailhead Elevation

11,660'

The main summer access to the Jackal Hut is by hiking, biking or driving up FS Road 755. Motorized vehicles must park at the summer closure approximately 1/8 mile from the hut. There is no established summer hiking trail to this hut. Be aware that this road is very steep and rough and not recommended for vehicle access. The other route is driving up FS Road 715 to where it ends, and then hiking 1.3 miles on a mix of single-track and abandoned jeep trails to the hut. Vehicle access is never guaranteed to any hut at any time.

For day hikes around the Jackal Hut your best bet is to explore Chicago Ridge and keep an eye out for old machine gun nests and relics from when the area was used for training by the WWII 10th Mountain Division troops.

Summer Water Source Information
Summer Hut Information PDF

Routes

Extreme 4WD High Clearance to Jackal Hut via FS Rds 714 & 755 (aka Ranch Creek Rd)

Trailhead Elevation

0'

Hut-Specific Weather

Overnight : Mostly clear, with a low around 12. South southwest wind around 5 mph.

Thursday : A slight chance of snow showers after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 37. Southwest wind 10 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Thursday Night : Snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24. Southwest wind 10 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Friday : Snow showers likely before noon, then snow showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms between noon and 1pm, then snow showers and patchy blowing snow and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 35. Southwest wind 10 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Friday Night : Snow showers likely and patchy blowing snow and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23. Southwest wind 10 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

Saturday : A chance of snow showers before 9am, then snow showers likely and patchy blowing snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 38. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

Saturday Night : A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

Sunday : Snow showers likely before noon, then snow showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms between noon and 4pm, then snow showers and patchy blowing snow and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Sunday Night : Snow showers likely and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Monday : Snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 31. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Monday Night : A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 14. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Tuesday : A slight chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 36.

Tuesday Night : Partly cloudy, with a low around 18.

Wednesday : A slight chance of snow showers after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 41.

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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