Fowler-Hilliard to Janet’s

On the traverse between the Fowler-Hilliard Hut and Janet’s Cabin in the northern-Sawatch.

Several years back I got an invite to join on J, Brandon and Co’s annual “Hardman Hut Trip” (some years are harder than others but there are always plenty of men). From 10th Mountain to Uncle Bud’s to Skinner we went, covering around 30 miles between the three huts with a few good turns mixed in along the way. This same crew of long-time friends has continued with this style of trip every year for the past decade or so, and I was happy to join again for this year’s outing as soon as I got the invite.

The Fowler-Hilliard hut at sunrise.

This year the plan was to start at Camp Hale and hit the Fowler-Hilliard Hut first, then traverse over the Continental Divide to Janet’s Cabin above Copper. With two nights at Janet’s on the docket, we would get to ski all day from the hut in between without having to worry about getting to another hut. Less traversing and more skiing? Sounds pretty good to me…

Night one festivities.

Being the last ones to leave Camp Hale, Dylan and I skinned most of the 2,500 ft up to the hut in the dark. We arrived just as the temps really started to drop for the night and were thankful the crew had kept the place nice and warm and had also left us some dinner. After a relatively early evening we left Fowler-Hilliard around 10am the following morning and began the traverse to Janet’s.

Fowler-Hilliard sits at 11,500 ft on top of the ridgeline west of Ptarmigan Hill. It was named after Ann Fowler and Ed Hilliard, a pair of mountaineers who died in a climbing accident on North Maroon Peak in 1971.

While most of us chose a high traverse over to Ptarmigan Hill, Dylan, J, Chuck and I decided to open up the day with a 1,300 ft run from the front deck of the hut down a large glade to the Resolution Road. From there we climbed in a straight line up to the crest of the Continental Divide and met up with the rest of the crew as they traversed from Ptarmigan Pass out towards Sugarloaf Peak.

Straddling the dividing line between Eagle and Summit Counties as we searched for a safe place to drop in to upper-Stafford Creek.

After skiing off the ridge we made a short traverse over into Guller Creek and skied down to Janet’s from there. With afternoon temps starting to drop it was nice to get inside, warm the place up and drink a beer.

Janet’s Cabin is one the larger huts in the 10th Mountain System. At three stories and 3,000 square feet it can sleep up to 20 people. The hut is dedicated to Janet Boyd Tyler, a Vail resident and avid skier who passed away in 1988. Upon the hut’s construction, her ski pass was sealed within the foundation of the cabin.

Dinner is served. Compliments to Nico for arranging and cooking the dinners. As per usual good food tastes even better at 11,600 ft.

The following morning we again broke up into smaller groups as a few of us had to leave early and head out to Copper. The rest of the crew skinned up to explore the terrain around Searle Pass while Dylan and I decided to climb Elk Mountain to the west of the hut.

Piecing together an avy safe route up the peak.

We made quick work of the 1,100 ft ascent from the hut to the summit. Elk Mountain is a ranked Gore 12er that sits on the ridge to the north of Corbett Peak directly west of Searle Pass and Jacque Peak. On a clear day I imagine the views west towards Holy Cross, Massive and Elbert are top notch.

Elk Mountain summit at 12,693 ft, looking north.

After a short stay we skied off the peak and back down into Guller Creek. From there we caught up with the rest of the crew at the top of their skin track, then spent the rest of the afternoon skiing low-angle glades off the ridgeline to the northeast of the hut. It was fun to have so many people out there breaking off into smaller groups and exploring different lines, all of us staying within radio contact and having a hut to stop off at to eat and warm up.

Skiing in an open glade above the hut.

Skinning up for another lap.

Dylan catching some air.

Time to head in for après.

Then it was down to more card games, another dinner feast, drinks and a sauna rotation…

“Nancy’s Sauna” back behind the main cabin. Chop up some wood, stick it in the furnace, toss some snow on top and voila, you’ve got yourself a backcountry sweat lodge.

The next morning Dylan and I said our goodbyes and headed out early, intent on skiing back to Pando/Camp Hale in order to avoid having to shuttle all the way back around from Copper. We were able to put a nice route together up and over Elk Ridge to the north of Sugarloaf and down to the Resolution Road. From there it was a 30 minute skate/ski back to the trailhead.

Views towards Peak 1 and 2 from above Janet’s on the skin out.

Ascending up to Elk Ridge, the final piece of the puzzle.

And a parting shot of the crew.

Happy hut tripping and cheers to the winter that keeps on giving 🙂