Location
The hut sits in its own remote valley in the alpine tundra at 11,600 feet outside of Georgetown, Colorado. Surrounded by national forest, the hut enjoys unbelievable vistas right at treeline. It is close to famed 14ers of Grays and Torreys and beautiful Guenella Pass.
Approach
Getting to the hut changes with the seasons. During the summer, you can drive, while once it snows, you can ski or snowmobile to the hut.
The dirt road to the hut is a high clearance 4×4 road, we highly recommend a high clearance vehicle with all-wheel or even better 4×4. This is a great moderate 4×4 road to gain some experience or enjoy being outside.
It is 5.8 miles and 1,900 feet vertical gain on the dirt road, Leavenworth Creek Rd, to the hut. The majority of the approach is on an old railroad with a nice gradual approach at 3% grade to the hut.
Getting to the Trailhead
Approaching from I-70:
Take I-70 to Exit 228 (Georgetown). From the roundabout just south of I-70 head west on Argentine St. Follow it until it dead ends at 6th Street. Turn left onto 6th St. Turn right onto Rose St. until it dead ends at 2nd Street. Turn left up Guanella Pass Rd. Go 2.5 miles to the top of the “S” switchback. On your right is the start of Leavenworth Creek Rd. (aka) FSR 248.1. There is a green sign on a tree “Leavenworth Creek Rd.”
Approaching from Highway 285:
Turn north off of Highway 285 onto Guanella Pass Rd. Drive on Guanella Pass Rd for ~30 miles, you will drive over the summit of Guanella pass. At 30 miles, on your left will be the start of Leavenworth Creek Rd. (aka) FSR 248.1. There is a green sign on a tree “Leavenworth Creek Rd.” Please note: Guanella pass road is closed from this direction during the winter, check closures before going this route)
Approach
Begin your tour south up Leavenworth Creek Rd. In general, the first ½ mile is by far the roughest section of the road to the hut.
At .2 miles you’ll pass a left hand turn, continue straight (right).
At .3 miles you will cross over the creek (culvert) and head up a short hill.
At .4 miles take the switchback to the right (north)
At .6 miles follow the switchback to the left (south).
At .9 miles follow the switchback to the right up the hill (north).
At the top of this hill at 1.1 miles, take the sharp left switchback to the south. (DO NOT continue north. This road looks well-traveled. Not recommended! Too narrow for regular vehicles. Remember this intersection, on your return downhill to the trailhead.) Continue a gradual ascent south all the way to the Tundra Hut. You will stay on the main road the remainder of the way
Tundra Hut is 40 ft. off the the left (east) side of the road. You can’t miss it!
Total distance to the hut = approx. 5.8 miles one way
For reference only if needed:
At 2.6 miles to the hut, there’s a downhill rd. to the left FSR 248.1P. DO NOT TAKE
At 4.7 miles there’s a downhill rd. to the left FSR 248.1A, and uphill to the right is
248.1K. DO NOT TAKE. When you are ½ mile from the hut, you’ll pass a road on the left with a sign that says Dead End. DO NOT TAKE.
When you see the sign stating you are entering alpine tundra, you are 1 mile from the hut.
The winter approach is around 5 miles and 1,900 feet vertical gain. The majority of the approach is on an old railroad with a nice gradual approach at 3% grade to the hut.
There are two recommended ways to get to the hut during the winter, which you choose depends on whether you are hiking or on snowmobiles.
On-Foot approach = 5 miles
Snowmobile approach = 5.4 miles
Getting to the Trailhead
Take I-70 to Exit 228 (Georgetown). From the roundabout just south of I-70 head west on Argentine St. Follow it until it dead ends at 6th Street. Turn left onto 6th St. Turn right onto Rose St. until it dead ends at 2nd Street. Turn left up Guanella Pass Rd. Go 2.5 miles to the start of Leavenworth Creek Rd. (aka) FSR 248.1. There is a green sign on a tree “Leavenworth Creek Rd.” This is your trailhead. You can park here while you unload people and your gear. DO NOT park here overnight.
Parking: Overnight/trailer parking is at the base of the “S” switchback just downhill from the start of Leavenworth Creek Road on Guanella Pass Rd.
Approach
The winter approach follows the orange line on the maps below. The snowmobile approach deviates from the on-foot for one switchback (shown in pink below)
Begin your tour south up Leavenworth Creek Rd.
At 0.2 miles you’ll pass a left hand turn, continue straight (right).
At 0.3 miles you will cross over the creek (culvert) and head up a short hill.
At 0.4 miles, you have two options, one recommended for on-foot, the other for snowmobile.
On-Foot (orange) – continue straight up the hill continuing to parallel the creek up valley
Snowmobile (pink) – follow the switchback to the right (north). At .6 miles follow the switchback back to the left (south). At 0.9 miles continue straight, you are now paralleling the creek up the valley same as the on-foot approach
At ~1.4 miles (on-foot) / ~1.8 miles (snowmobile) you’ll come to a Y in the road. Turn right (uphill) and leave the creek. Follow it uphill approximately .1 miles until it merges with
Leavenworth Creek Rd. again. Continue SW on 248.1 (Leavenworth Creek Rd), you will stay on this road until you arrive at the Tundra Hut.
Do not take any roads that deviate off the Leavenworth Creek road (At 2.2/2.6 miles to the left is FSR 248.1P, at 4.2/4.6 miles there is a downhill road, 248.1A and uphill road 248.1K, 0.5 miles from the hut a downhill road)
At 1 mile from the hut, there is a sign stating you are entering alpine tundra.
The hut is on the left side, 40 feet off the road, you can’t miss it!
