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San Juan Hut to Hut Traverse

June 26 - June 30

        Hike through majestic snow peaked mountains surrounded by wildflowers, waterfalls, and alpine lakes. Leave your tent at home & snuggle up by the wood burning stove in the heated huts as we traverse 5 days of gorgeous hiking through what’s known as the “Switzerland of America.”

Trip Details

Trip Type: 5-day/4-night Guided Backpacking Trip

Trail Section: San Juan Hut Systems, Ouray Colorado

Highlights:

  • Hike the “Switzerland of America” and see what’s known as Colorado’s BEST view
  • Beautiful blue alpine lakes, rushing rivers, and breathtaking waterfalls
  • 4 primitive huts with ALL of the primitive comforts
  • Day packs ONLY- No need to carry a 30lb pack on this trip

When: June 26th, 2023

Trip difficulty: ★★★★★

Mileage: 32 trail miles with 8 miles of optional side trips

Group Size: 6 guests per hut

Cost: $1900 (payment plans available)

Trip Itinerary

Day 1

Meet at East Dallas Trailhead in Ouray. Shuttle will arrive at 7:30am to deliver us to the starting trailhead.

Section: 

Hike from Last Dollar Pass

Starting Elevation: 10,610ft. Ending Elevation: 9,960ft. Elevation Gain 1,550ft. Elevation Loss 2,270ft.

Hiking Distance: 

8.3 miles 

Highlights: 

  • You can see out to the La Sal Mountains in Utah! 
  • Sleep at the North Pole Hut nestled below jagged peaks
  • You will enjoy spectacular views as you traverse close to the tree line
  • Stunning views and remote alpine scenery

Day 2

Section: 

North Pole Hut to Blue Lakes Hut

Starting Elevation: 9,960ft. Ending Elevation: 9,430ft. Elevation Gain: 1,160ft. Elevation Loss 1,700ft.

Hiking Distance: 

7.5 Miles

Highlights: 

  • Chill day traversing through meadows and aspen groves
  • Wildflowers are plentiful this section
  • Views of the Cimarron Mountains

Day 3

Section: 

Blue Lakes Hut to Ridgway Hut

Starting Elevation: 9,430ft. Ending Elevation: 10,250ft. Elevation Gain: 1,640ft. Elevation Loss: 1,090ft

Hiking Distance: 

5 Miles 

OPTIONAL side trip to Lower Blue Lakes

7 miles round trip

Starting Elevation: 9,430 Ending Elevation: 11,030ft

Highlights: 

  • One of the best views in all of Colorado
  • Views of Mount Sneffels all day long
  • Side trip to stunning Alpine lakes
  • Wildlife sightings

Day 4

Section: 

Ridgway Hut to Burn Hut

Starting Elevation: 10,250ft, Ending Elevation: 9,920ft, Elevation Gain: 730ft, Elevation Loss 1,070ft.

Hiking Distance: 5 miles

Highlights:

  • Cimmaron and the Sneffels ranges as well as the La Sals out in Utah.
  • Free time at the  Burn hut to chill
  • Cross ‘Last Drink Draw’ 

Day 5: 

Section: 

Burn Hut to Eastern Terminus of the Dallas Trail

Starting Elevation: 9,920ft, Ending Elevation 7,600ft: Elevation Gain: 340ft. Elevation Loss: 2,660ft.

Start the day off hiking through steep meadows while taking in spectacular views of the Cimarrons. 

Hiking Distance: 4.6 miles

Highlights:

  • Spectacular views of the Cimarron Mountains
  • More views of the “Switzerland of America”
  • Red sandstone cliffs.
  • Moonshine Park

What’s Included

  • 4 nights in primitive huts including sleeping bags, sleeping mats and general cooking gear
  • Shuttle from Ouray to the trailhead
  • 2 food drops, one drop on day two and one on day four
  • Two professional, knowledgeable, backcountry guides who are Certified Wilderness First Responders or Wilderness first Aid Certified 
  • 2 ZOOM sessio
  • Sneffels Wilderness land use fees and permits
  • Emergency equipment including trauma kits, satellite communication devices and mountain walkie talkies

 

What’s Not Included –

  • Travel to Ouray, CO
  • Hotel Stay in Ouray the night prior to shuttle
  • Backpacking Equipment
  • Meals
  • Guide gratuity – Tipping is optional but customary. (Industry recommends 10-20% of trip cost)

 

Join the trip!

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Terms and Conditions-

“Trips are subject to itinerary changes based on a variety of circumstances beyond our control, including, but not limited to permit or campsite availability, snowpack, river crossings, wildlife, park or land closures, and forest fires. The price of a hiking trip will never change due to itinerary changes. Payments are not refundable for itinerary changes or park or land closures. If a trip is cancelled due to circumstances beyond our control and no alternate itinerary is available a trip credit will be issued equal to the full amount paid minus any nonrefundable expenses incurred by the Company.”

Details

Start:
June 26
End:
June 30

Location

Ouray, Colorado
ouray, colorado

Other

Trip Highlights:
Hike through majestic snow peaked mountains surrounded by wildflowers, waterfalls, and alpine lakes.
Trip Difficulty:
★★★☆☆
Group Size:
6 to 10 guests