We know your secret…
What you really want is to pick up, right now, and walk off into the mountains, without having to worry about shelter and fuel, or having to carry it all on your back. You want to see nature in its most primitive form, to breathe air that’s pure and refreshing, to stand on peaks that have rarely been seen by mankind, to separate yourself from the ordinary things you do every day and really experience something unique and challenging.
So what if we told you that you could do just that, and still have a comfortable place to rest at the end of the day? What if we told you that you could grab a jacket, some water, and your GPS, and head into the remote backcountry of Colorado’s mountain ranges?
Back in 1987, a couple of friends made that very opportunity available by creating the San Juan Huts System. What began as a handful of huts along the historic Dallas Trail has developed into a system of huts and trails that now stretches for hundreds of of miles from the high mountains around Ouray, Telluride & Durango, toward Moab, Utah. Remote terrain in the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, Gunnison and Manti La Sal National Forests is now available year-round to people like you: adventurous hikers, mountain bikers, backcountry skiers and snowshoers.
The best part: you can leave nearly all your gear at home.
It’s true that there is no food and no ground water available (unless listed on the cue sheet), so you should carry your meals and a hydration pack. There is also no sag wagon, no guide, no cook, and very minimal cell service, but isn’t minimalism the point?
The San Juan Hut System does provide all the stuff you need but don’t want to haul around, especially fuel for the stove, and bedding (the typical hut sleeps 8 people). You’ll have day-by-day maps, directions, and GPS waypoints to ensure a safe journey. Take several days to discovering just one region with the hut as your base, as the traditional Europeans and Canadians do, or ski, bike, or hike from hut to hut. However you choose to stay, you’ll have gorgeous views and a fresh perspective on the world.
Some advice as you plan your escape: don’t count on passing motorists to save you in an emergency – you could go several days without seeing another soul even though these are public roads. All the huts have their own trailhead access but if you need to fix your body or your bike on the trail be aware that it’s a long walk out. (If you are bringing in friends from sea level, advise them to arrive a day or two early to acclimate to the altitude.) There are, of course, trail options to challenge every level of experience and fitness, but you should always hike/ride with caution.
Go on. Give in to your craving for adventure. We know you want to.
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