Ridgway Hut

Hello, adventurous Coloradoans and those seeking an authentic wilderness experience off the beaten path! If your idea of a perfect getaway involves stunning mountain scenery, self-reliance, and direct access to unparalleled backcountry terrain, then the Ridgway Hut is a destination you absolutely need to know about. This isn't your typical roadside campground with RV hookups; it's a true backcountry hut, part of the extensive San Juan Hut Systems, designed for independent outdoor enthusiasts who are ready to immerse themselves deeply in the San Juan Mountains. Located at a high elevation under the north slopes of Reconnoiter Peak, Ridgway Hut offers a unique, rustic, and incredibly rewarding experience for hikers, bikers, and especially backcountry skiers looking for solitude and adventure in one of Colorado's most majestic ranges.

The Ridgway Hut is located within the vast wilderness of the San Juan Mountains, with its nearest postal address being Ridgway, CO 81432, USA. However, it's crucial to understand that this is a backcountry hut, meaning it's not directly accessible by vehicle, especially in winter. The hut sits at an elevation of 10,257 feet, under the north slopes of Reconnoiter Peak (12,980 feet). Accessing the Ridgway Hut requires a journey. From the town of Ridgway, a short 5-mile drive on County Road 5 leads you to the trailhead for both the Ridgway and Burn Huts. From there, it's an approximately 6.7-mile ski or hike (depending on the season) along a summer dirt road and then the Dallas Trail to reach the hut. While the hut itself is nestled within a spruce forest, gaining elevation above the tree line opens up breathtaking views of the rugged San Juan peaks, including the entire Sneffels Range. This remote yet accessible location makes it a prime starting point for exploring the surrounding wilderness.

As a backcountry hut, Ridgway Hut offers essential services and amenities designed to support independent adventurers, rather than providing the extensive facilities of a traditional campground. The focus is on functionality and self-sufficiency in a remote setting.

• Basic Shelter: The hut provides a sturdy, secure shelter for up to 8 people via padded bunk-style beds. Guests need to bring their own sleeping bags (though sleeping bags may be provided during summer months).
• Cooking Facilities: The hut includes cookware, utensils, propane burners, and propane for cooking. Guests are expected to bring and prepare their own food. There is no oven or outdoor grill.
• Heat Source: A wood stove provides indoor heat, with firewood supplied for winter use. In summer, guests are expected to gather their own wood.
• Water Source: In winter, water is obtained by melting snow. In summer, water is available from a spring, stream, or lake within 1/4 mile, but it is non-potable and must be filtered or treated. The provided review specifically advises bringing a good water filter in the summer.
• Outdoor Toilet: An outhouse with a composting toilet is available a short distance from the hut.
• Lighting: Propane lighting is provided within the hut. There are no electrical outlets.
• Route Information: San Juan Hut Systems provides detailed route information for accessing the hut and for various backcountry activities in the surrounding area.
• Pet-Friendly (with approval): Dogs are allowed year-round, but guests bringing dogs need to coordinate with San Juan Hut Systems staff beforehand.
• Cleaning Supplies: Cleaning supplies and trash bags are provided, as guests are expected to clean the hut before departure and carry out all their trash.

Ridgway Hut offers a unique set of features and highlights that appeal to experienced outdoor enthusiasts seeking an authentic and challenging Colorado mountain experience.

• Prime Backcountry Location: Its setting at 10,257 feet under Reconnoiter Peak provides direct access to high-quality terrain for backcountry skiing, hiking, and biking. Views open to rugged peaks once above the tree line.
• Hut-to-Hut Network: Ridgway Hut is part of the extensive San Juan Hut Systems, allowing for multi-day hut-to-hut adventures by linking it with other huts like Blue Lakes Hut and Burn Hut, creating a unique trekking or skiing experience.
• High-Quality Skiing: For winter visitors, the hut is renowned for excellent backcountry skiing, including intermediate tree skiing and advanced chutes with 1,000 to 2,000 vertical feet of descent, making it a dream for telemark and alpine touring enthusiasts.
• Secluded Wilderness Experience: As a remote hut, it offers profound solitude and a deep immersion in the wilderness, far from crowds and developed areas.
• Rustic Comforts: Despite its remote nature, the hut provides essential comforts like a warm shelter, cooking facilities, and beds, making multi-day trips feasible and more comfortable than primitive camping.
• Stunning Mountain Views: The approach to the hut, and the views once above the immediate spruce forest, offer awesome vistas of the entire Sneffels Range and surrounding San Juan peaks.
• Year-Round Accessibility for Adventurers: The hut is open year-round, offering distinct experiences for winter sports (Nov 25 - Jun 1) and summer hiking/biking.
• Self-Reliant Adventure: It caters to self-reliant individuals or groups, providing the framework for an adventurous trip where participants manage their own food, water, and safety.

For inquiries, reservations, or more information about Ridgway Hut and the San Juan Hut Systems, please use the following contact details. It is essential to book well in advance, as hut capacity is limited and popular dates fill quickly.

Address: The mailing address for San Juan Hut Systems is PO BOX 773, Ridgway, CO 81432. The physical office is at 618 N. Cora Street, Ridgway, CO 81432. The hut itself is in the backcountry, not at this physical address.

Phone: (970) 626-3033

Email: info@sanjuanhuts.com

Website: It is highly recommended to visit the official San Juan Hut Systems website (sanjuanhuts.com) for the most up-to-date information on booking, hut conditions, routes, and required gear. Given the backcountry nature of this accommodation, thorough planning and communication with the hut system are paramount for a safe and enjoyable trip.

For Colorado locals, Ridgway Hut offers an unparalleled opportunity to truly immerse themselves in the heart of their state's legendary San Juan Mountains. This isn't just a "campground" in the traditional sense; it's a gateway to authentic backcountry adventure, making it uniquely suitable for residents who cherish the rugged, untamed beauty of Colorado. Its appeal lies in its challenge and reward: accessing the hut requires effort, but the payoff is an intimate, secluded experience far from the crowds of more accessible parks. For experienced hikers, mountain bikers, and especially backcountry skiers, Ridgway Hut provides direct access to some of the highest quality terrain and unparalleled views in the state. The hut-to-hut system itself offers a unique way for Coloradoans to explore vast stretches of wilderness on multi-day treks or ski tours, fostering self-reliance and deep appreciation for the landscape. The need to filter water and carry out trash reinforces a commitment to Leave No Trace principles, aligning with the values of many environmentally conscious locals. For those who seek genuine wilderness, significant physical challenge, and the profound quiet of the high mountains, Ridgway Hut is more than suitable – it's an essential Colorado experience that allows you to truly live the state's outdoor ethos.