The Tundra Hut provides access to fantastic skiing around the Leavenworth Basin. One of our guests created a great map documenting some of the many winter powder stashes and spring mountaineering lines in the area. We’ve given a quick overview of what you might find skiing around the hut.
The Hut Lap
Finding powder stashes in the open glades above the Tundra Hut.
Farming powder above the hut.
All the best ski huts in Colorado have a ski run just outside the front door for folks looking to stay close to the woodstove, water, and snacks. The Tundra Hut is no different, just above the hut are several gullies that provide fun terrain and moderate slope angles. If you explore this area you will also find open trees and glade runs. Walking this area in the summer, many of the openings are due to logging in the area, probably in the 1906 season when the railway was built to Waldorf.
Powder Stashes
For those willing to venture a bit further from the hut, crossing Leavenworth Creek to the slopes below Otter Mountain and Wilcox provides great glade runs with a more northerly aspect. This terrain protects fresh snow from the sun keeping it soft in case it hasn’t snowed recently. This is a slightly longer approach but worth it to find the goods.
Ski Mountaineering
Looking at our tracks down Mine Shaft Couloir accessed from the Tundra Hut.
Corn skiing down big spring lines nearby the the hut.
Bootpacking it up the slopes to access the goods!
There are countless ski mountaineering runs that can be accessed from the hut. Most notably from Fritz Sperry’s Making Turns in Colorados Front Range Volume 1: South of Interstate 70 guidebook is Mine Shaft above the old Santiago Mine. In many years, it is not possible to drive to Waldorf until the summer, so guests at the hut generally have these types of runs all to themselves as it is a long approach from Guanella Pass Rd.
The hut is accessed via Leavenworth Creek Road. Detailed directions will be emailed to you after signing a liability waiver two days prior to your trip. The road is not plowed and must be approached on skis, snowshoes, or snowmobile in the winter. In many years, the road is passable by an offroad vehicle until November, but storms earlier in the season may require hiking or other methods to approach the hut. The first quarter to half mile is the roughest section. We have seen many Jeeps, Tacomas, and 4Runners on the road.
What is the booking process?
After booking the hut here, you will receive an email to sign a liability waiver. This must be signed by everyone in your party. Seven days prior to your trip you will get an email with more detailed information to access the hut.
What activities are around the hut?
There are plenty of activities around the hut every season of the year. The winter is a fantastic time for backcountry skiing, ski mountaineering, and snowshoeing. When snow does not cover the ground there is hiking, cycling, trail running, and OHV access all around the basin. You can also access Grays and Torreys via McClellan or Argentine Pass.
What is at the hut?
The hut has a kitchen (with dishes, cutlery etc), stove, oven, percolators to make coffee, a wood stove with split wood, and beds.
What is the water situation?
In the summer bring your own water for drinking, cooking, and dishes. There are rain barrels however it is not guaranteed that there will be water.
In the winter, melt snow in the large pots that sit on the woodstove – do not put anything in the pots but snow (no hands, fingers, or water filters). Only melt snow on the wood burning stove, do not use the propane stove. In shoulder season (i.e., when you can’t drive to the hut to bring water, and there isn’t enough snow to melt) there are two springs on the property. The first runs until mid-July and is located about 100 ft up the road from the hut and the other is year-round and about 700 feet down the road from the hut. This water has not been tested. We suggest you bring a filter.
What about beds? How many people does the hut sleep?
The hut comfortably sleeps 8 people but can fit more in emergency situations. There are two bedrooms and additional beds available. The beds have sheets covering the mattresses. Please bring your own bedding or sleeping bags and pillowcases.
In September 2021, Garth and Peggy Fasano became the new caretakers of the Tundra Hut. They carry on Tom and Amy’s legacy at the Tundra Hut, an adventure basecamp high in the Argentine Basin, close to Colorado’s Front Range. Tom and Amy had a bold vision to build a hut that would give visitors a unique backcountry experience. They named it after their favorite four-legged companion, Tundra. When the two couples met, Garth and Peggy brought their dog, Tagert, named after the Tagert & Green Wilson Huts where Garth proposed to Peggy. The two couples’ visions for the future of the Tundra Hut were aligned. Garth and Peggy were immediately attracted to the activities the area provided along with the unique craftsmanship of the hut.
Amy and Tom with Garth and Peggy near Denver going over details of the Tundra Hut.Stocking the hut for the winter season ahead.Driving up Leavenworth road with the fall colors.
Multi-Season Adventure Basecamp
The surrounding area provides adventures every season. The winter and spring have mellow mid-winter ski lines as well as aggressive mountaineering routes descending the continental divide and nearby peaks. The approach is generally protected from avalanche terrain as steep sections are guarded by dense trees. Summer and fall seasons offer cycling and trail running along the Argentine Central Railway path. Hidden single-track can be found from the remains of culverts between the townsite and Pavilion Point, a lodge developed in the early 1900s. The hut is in close proximity to Grays and Torrey’s peaks and can be linked up in a variety of ways for a spectacular ridge run.
An Authentic and Convenient Hut Experience
Tom and Amy passionately worked to realize their vision of a modern and convenient hut while retaining the authentic atmosphere hut enthusiasts expect. A few of the distinguishing features are a propane oven for baking bread and treats, an indoor toilet to avoid the dreaded middle of the night trips to the outhouse, wall mounted light switches, two private bedrooms, and massive windows to take in the views of the Argentine Basin. The hut was built with concrete log siding, a recent method to hut building that provides fire resistance and low maintenance – a great investment to ensure the Tundra Hut stands for years to come.
A modern layout and amenities in an authentic hut experiance.
Rich Local History at 11,954 ft
The Waldorf townsite, ¼ mile above the hut once boasted a population over 300 people. It was a premier tourist attraction for visitors from Denver. Visitors would take a train to Silver Plume and then transfer to the Argentine Central Railway. This train climbed to the summit of Mt. McCellan at 13,587 ft, although the railroad claimed it was 14,007 ft. In 1908, Edward Wilcox, the railway owner hauled snow from Mt. McCellan’s summit to the Democratic National Convention in Denver. William J Bryan, the democratic nominee, took a trip to the summit before going on tour.
Summit of the Argentine Central Railway at the summit of Mt. McClellan. The railway was used to bring tourists from Denver to 14,007 ft. Although the summit is now considered to be 13,587 ft.
The Future of the Tundra Hut
Garth and Peggy are excited to steer Tundra Hut’s next chapter. Early fall weekends were filled with activity prepping supplies and organizing the hut for the coming winter. Things are finally ready. As the new caretakers, they plan to carry on Tom and Amy’s vision. You may notice small differences but they do not plan to significantly change the way the hut has operated.
Family snowshoes from the early 40s next to the wood stove.Peggy’s grandmother’s skis now hang on the wall above the big windows.
