10th (Tenth) Mountain Division Huts and Summit Huts Online Guidebook
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Continental Divide Cabin
ELEVATION: 10,500 feet
HUTSKI.COM FREE MAP: Vance's Cabin (see below)
GPS: 386 115 E, 43 57 265 N
Trailhead: Tennessee Pass
USGS 7.5 min map: Leadville North
10th Mountain Huts map: Chicago Ridge

Continental Divide Cabin is located near timberline.

Located near the Continental Divide north of Leadville (central Colorado), Continental Divide Cabin is one of the more accessible lodgings in the 10th Mountain System -- it being less than a mile from the Tennessee Pass Trailhead and 2 1/2 miles from Crane Park Trailhead.

The hut is located in good ski touring terrain (of the low angled variety), with access to numerous marked trails that are part of the Tennessee Pass ski touring trail system. Scenic tours can be had up on the Continental Divide, and you might find a few turns up there as well, but this is more of a ski touring location than it is a backcountry skiing "climb for turns" area.

That said, with a bit of range you can access the same alpine terrain people use near the 10th Mountain Division Hut, so that's an option if you're looking for more excitement.

The quickest route to Continental Divide Cabin is via marked trails from Tennessee Pass, but it can also be reached from Crane Park Trailhead. The location is perfect if you need connector lodging for ski-through style trips involving Vance's Cabin, 10th Mountain Division Hut or Sangree M. Froelicher Hut. (This hut is new to the 10th Mountain System for 2007.)

Vance's Cabin and Continental Divide Cabin map below connects to Jackal Hut on the top (north), 10th Mountain Hut on the left (west) and Sangree Hut on lower right (southeast). If you have trouble viewing or printing this map, please try our Vances Cabin PDF. Our complete map index is here.
 

Tennessee Pass Trailhead — Continental Divide Cabin
DIFFICULTY: Novice
HUTSKI.COM FREE MAP: Vance's Cabin (see above)
TIME: Under an hour
DISTANCE: 1 mile
ELEVATION GAIN: 50 feet
GPS Track .txt
GPS Track .gpx
(Right click tracks and "save target as.")

Start at Tennessee Pass Trailhead. Use nordic wax.

At the southerly edge of the parking area, just a few feet from Highway 24, you'll find a Forest Service "double post" trailhead sign, check here for a current map and other information.

Take the trail starting at the "double post" trailhead,and follow the trail marked as the Continental Divide Trail and Colorado Trail. (small white triangles). This trail is also marked with the usual blue diamonds.

Ski for just under a mile through lodgepole pine forest to the well signed right (west) turnoff for Continental Divide Cabin.

Crane Park Trailhead— Continental Divide Cabin
DIFFICULTY: Novice
HUTSKI.COM FREE MAP: Vance's Cabin (see above)
TIME: 2 hours
DISTANCE: 2 1/2 miles
ELEVATION GAIN: 400 feet

Park at the Crane Park Trailhead. Ski or walk up the gravel pit road from Crane Park to the obvious intersection of the Wurts Ditch Road. If you end up at the gravel pit, you have gone too far. The Wurts Ditch Road is usually well signed, but signs have a way of changing. Ski up the well-traveled, snow-covered Wurts Ditch Road just over 1/4 mile to 10,400 feet. Here you take the Colorado Trail northerly 1 3/4 mile to the Continental Divide Cabin.

Ski-Through Routes

For ski-throughs involving Vance's Cabin, Sangree M. Froelicher or 10th Mountain Division Hut, simply use connecting routes described in those sections of this website (see "Huts" dropdown menu above).



 
 
 
 
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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.