10th (Tenth) Mountain Division Huts and Summit Huts Online Guidebook
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Vail Pass Trailhead
Elevation: 10,550 feet
Hutski.com map: ??
USGS 7.5 min map: Vail Pass
10th Mountain Huts map: Resolution Mountain
GPS: 395 324 E, 43 76 098 N (middle of parking complex)
Huts accessed: Shrine Mountain Inn

As the second highest point on I-70, Vail Pass is known for its severe winter driving conditions. Take chain and snow tire laws seriously.

To reach the Vail Pass Trailhead, drive Interstate Highway 70 for 14 miles E from Vail or 5 miles W from Copper Mountain Resort. Take Exit 190 at the summit of the pass and park at the large parking area (the Vail Pass Rest Area) just east of the overpass.

To find the actual trail beginning, look for signs indicating Shrine Pass Road. Head up Shrine Pass Road a short distance to a switchback, the well marked skier's trail leaves from a signboard here.

If the designated skier's trail is not broken out, you may be tempted to use the Shrine Pas Road since it reaches the same destination as the trail. This is ill advised as use of both routes is restricted to human and motor power, respectively. If you ski on the Shrine Road, you may be fined or at least scolded. Likewise, if you snowmobile on the skier's trail you will be strapped down with climbing skins and tickled with a ski pole. As of this writing we don't know if walking the road is allowed or not, and we suspect the legalities of this situation might not be as dire as they sound, since every time we're up there we see people walking on the road.

 
 
 
 
This book goes great with our maps, highly recommended for any hut skier.
 
   
   
 
 
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Please note: The information in this website is based on the experience and research of the site owners and their sources, may not be accurate, and might not be perceived as accurate by other persons. Therefore, extreme care should be taken when following any of the backcountry skiing 10th Mountain Huts, Summit Huts and Braun Huts routes described in this website. This website is not intended to be instructional but rather is a guide for backcountry users who already have the requisite training, experience, and knowledge for the activities they choose. An advanced level of expertise and physical conditioning is necessary for even the "easiest" of the routes and activities described herein. Proper clothing and equipment is essential. Failure to have the necessary knowledge, equipment, and conditioning will subject you to physical danger, injury, or death. Some backcountry skiing routes for 10th Mountain Huts, Summit Huts and Braun Huts have changed and others will change; avalanche hazards may have expanded or new hazards may have formed since this website's publication.

Mission statement: The mission of HutSki.com is to provide backcountry skiers and other Colorado hut users with a complete set of high quality free topo maps, plentiful how-to information, and brief route descriptions that include alternate routes as well as standard trails.