San Juan Hut to Hut Traverse

        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 26^th, 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)

 

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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.”