About the Hut
Location and access:
The trailhead is on the north side of Highway 50 in the small town of Garfield, which is about twelve miles west of the intersection of highways 285 and 50 in Poncha Springs, and four miles east of Monarch Ski Area. The trail starts just behind and to the left/west of the Monarch Tours' building (snomobile rentals). Please do not park in Monarch Tours' lot. Parking is to the left of the trailhead, past the trailhead parking signs.
The elevation at the trailhead is 9657 feet. The hut is at 10878 feet, so the total elevation gain is 1221 feet over a distance of 2.6 miles. The trail is a dirt road that goes along Middle Fork Creek and that is also the Continental Divide Trail for part of the way. The first half mile is the steepest--going up about 450 feet in elevation. The remaining two miles go up about 770 feet with several gentle grades interspersed. The trail continues beyond the hut another 3.2 miles to Chalk Creek pass, from which you can drop down to the ghost town of St. Elmo and beyond.
Note: The road leading to the hut is 4-wheel drive only. In the summer, you can reach the hut with a good 4-wheel drive vehicle or by hiking; in the winter, plan to snowshoe or ski in.
The trailhead is on the north side of Highway 50 in the small town of Garfield, which is about twelve miles west of the intersection of highways 285 and 50 in Poncha Springs, and four miles east of Monarch Ski Area. The trail starts just behind and to the left/west of the Monarch Tours' building (snomobile rentals). Please do not park in Monarch Tours' lot. Parking is to the left of the trailhead, past the trailhead parking signs.
The elevation at the trailhead is 9657 feet. The hut is at 10878 feet, so the total elevation gain is 1221 feet over a distance of 2.6 miles. The trail is a dirt road that goes along Middle Fork Creek and that is also the Continental Divide Trail for part of the way. The first half mile is the steepest--going up about 450 feet in elevation. The remaining two miles go up about 770 feet with several gentle grades interspersed. The trail continues beyond the hut another 3.2 miles to Chalk Creek pass, from which you can drop down to the ghost town of St. Elmo and beyond.
Note: The road leading to the hut is 4-wheel drive only. In the summer, you can reach the hut with a good 4-wheel drive vehicle or by hiking; in the winter, plan to snowshoe or ski in.
Maps:
Amenities:
You need only bring your personal gear, a sleeping bag, food, and whatever other amenities you need/like.
- Trails Illustrated #130 (Salida, St. Elmo, Shavano Peak)
- Trails Illustrated #139 (LaGarita Wilderness/Cochetopa Hills)
- USGS Garfield
Amenities:
- Beds with nylon-covered mattresses
- Propane for the cooking stove and split wood for the heating stove
- All cooking and eating equipment and utensils, dish towels, and trash bags
- Water jugs for collecting water from the adjacent spring
- Outhouse with toilet paper
- Cleaning supplies
- Some books and games
- Light (there is a PV panel that powers compact fluorescent bulbs in each room)
- Musical instruments (guitar, banjo, mandolin - tuned for bluegrass :)
You need only bring your personal gear, a sleeping bag, food, and whatever other amenities you need/like.
Lost Wonder Hut, LLC
PO Box 4914 - Buena Vista, CO - 81211 - contact@lostwonderhut.com - (fax) 719-694-2700
