HIGH LONESOME HUT

Activity – Hike or Bicycle

Level of Difficulty – 1 (on a scale of 1-5, 1 being the easiest)

One-way Mileage – 2.3 miles

One-way Touring Time – 1 hour (hike), less than 1 hour (bike)

Altitude, GPS Reading at Trailhead – 9135′, 40°01’51″N, 105°48’23″W

Altitude, GPS Reading at Hut – 9148′, 40°03’30″N, 105°48’30″W

Trail Fee Required – No

Dogs are permitted without leash

Trailhead Location – On US Hwy 40, east of Tabernash, between mile markers 224 and 225 (closer to 224), turn east on CR 83. Follow CR 83 for .4 miles to the fork. Turn left on CR 84, which turns into FDR 129. Follow CR 84 (FDR 129) for 3.9 miles to a pullout on the left and the “High Lonesome Hut” sign (1).

Trail Description – This trail crosses both public and private property. Pass around the gate beside the “High Lonesome Hut” sign and descend through the woods on the Strawberry trail to a series of meadows. The largest meadow (2) was the site of a logging operation and flume in the early 1900s and remnants of the flume are still visible in the woods. Cross the bridge over the creek and after this meadow, head into the woods. Climb steadily and follow the creek bed filled with willows, which is on the left. The creek bed parallels the trail and then disappears into the woods. Ascend to the top of a hill, which is the high point of the trail (9302′). Descend through the woods to a fork (3). The Strawberry trail continues straight and Woody Hill Top is to the right. (Woody Hill Top is the home of the Huck Forest mountain bike park. This is a great place to explore as a side trip, however the bike features are dangerous and may only be ridden with the permission of Andrew or Forest Miller of High Lonesome Hut at (970) 726-4099.) From the Woody Hill top fork, remain straight on the Strawberry trail. At the next fork (4), the Strawberry trail continues straight and the High Lonesome Hut is to the right. Turn right and follow the trail a short distance to the hut (5). To use the hut for an overnight stay, visit http://www.lonesome-hut.com or call (970) 726-4099.

For a longer hike, return to the fork (4) and turn right onto the Strawberry trail and parallel the creek upstream where it intersects several other trails including the Caribou Trail.

Backcountry Tip of the Week – Always protect against sunburn. The sun’s rays are much more intense at higher elevations. Wear a brimmed hat and glasses with UVA or UVB protection and wear plenty of sunscreen.

More trails and information are available in “Hiking Grand County, Colorado” and “Winter Park and Fraser, Colorado Mountain Bike Map”. The book and map are available locally in many retail outlets, gift shops, sporting goods stores, and coffee shops or visit our Web site at http://backcountrybound.home.mindspring.com/. This column is a partnership with Headwaters Trails Alliance (www.headwaterstrails.com), who works to plan, build, preserve and maintain multi-use trails in Grand County.