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Mountain Biking: Colorado > Colorado Backcountry Huts

Quick Facts

San Juan Hut System

Capacity:	8 individuals People
Difficulty:	Moderate More difficult terrain can be found at various sites along the route.
Elevation:	varies between 11,000 and 8,200
Intermediate Terrain:	route connecting huts
Length:	206 Miles (343.33 Kilometers) Telluride to Moab
Number of Sites:	6 shelters
Reservation Contact:	970.728.6935 San Juan Hut System
Reservation Status:	Required
Usage:	Heavy
Vehicle Accessibility:	Passenger Vehicle often four-wheel drive is necessary during winter months

General Description

The San Juan Hut System designed for mountain biking consists of a series of six huts that stretch from Telluride, Colorado, to Moab, Utah. The huts are owned and operated by Mike Turrin and Joe Ryan of Telluride, Colorado. The shelters lie in dramatically changing terrain that begins in the rugged Rocky Mountains and ends in the high desert.

The huts along this 206-mile bike route are of wooden construction and fully equipped to accommodate eight people. Amenities include bedding, cooking and eating utensils, a wood stove, fire wood, a propane stove, lamps and drinking water. Depending on your needs the cabins can be outfitted with food as well.

The huts lie at generally thirty-five mile intervals. The bike route was designed at an intermediate level and relies heavily on stamina rather than technical skills. It follows well-graded forest service roads for most of the distance and descends in elevation for the majority of the route. The trip is usually one-way and riders will need to arrange a shuttle.

Directions from Telluride: Last Dollar Hut lies closest to Telluride and is accessible from Forest Road 638 via Forest Road 639 from Highway 145.

Directions from Gateway: The Gateway Hut lies in the community of Gateway and is accessible via Highway 141.

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Recreation Opportunities

Activity		Remarks	On Site
	Fishing	San Juan Hut System	Yes
	Bird Identification	San Juan Hut System	Yes
	Plant Identification	San Juan Hut System	Yes
	Lodging	San Juan Mountain Bike Hut System	Yes
	Mountain Biking	San Juan Hut System	Yes
	Viewing Scenery	San Juan Hut System	Yes

Related Activities

Alfred A. Braun Hut System - The Alfred A. Braun system of huts was the first to be established in Colorado shortly after World War II. These sites are recommended for intermediate and advanced backcountry skiers only.

Friends Hut, Elkton Cabins, Forrest Queen Cabin - Five backcountry cabins are accessible from the Crested Butte area. The backcountry in this region is particularly prone to avalanches, due to the steepness of the terrain.

Hinsdale Haute Route - This yurt system lies south of Lake City in the Gunnison and Rio Grande National Forests. It provides opportunities for beginner, intermediate and advanced backcountry skiers.

Never Summer Yurts - This hut system is open through all seasons for biking, backpacking, snowshoeing and skiing. It lies within Colorado State Forest State Park.

San Juan Hut System - This hut system consists of five huts in the northern San Juan Mountains. Terrain includes appropriate beginner, intermediate and expert slopes.

Summit Hut System - This hut association maintains four backcountry cabins (and growing) in Summit County, Colorado. Reservations can be made through the Tenth Mountain Division Hut Association in Aspen.

Tenth Mountain Division Hut System - This hut system is the most popular in the state and consists of 20 backcountry cabins. The terrain surrounding these shelters is some of the highest in the state.