San Juan Hut Route
San Juans, CO
Elevation Profile
Current Conditions
Bottom Line
Considerable danger rated across all elevations with no specific problems identified — an unusual and somewhat ambiguous bulletin for early November in the San Juans. The real issue right now is near-zero snowpack: SNOTEL stations at Annie Springs and Long Lake show 0 inches depth and 0.2" SWE, meaning you're touring on basically nothing. Snow showers Wednesday (73% precip chance) will add a thin new load to what's likely a marginal base. This trip is a season-opener reconnaissance at best.
34°/12°F · Sunny
Considerable (3/5)
0" depth
Elevated flows · 5 gauges
No active fires within 50 miles
10h 32m daylight · Sunrise 6:39 AM · Sunset 5:11 PM
Full Briefing
The CAIC is calling Considerable danger across all elevations with zero identified avalanche problems — that combination usually signals an early-season bulletin where the danger is less about specific weak layers and more about unpredictable, thin, and poorly bonded snow over a complex early-season substrate. In the San Juans in early November, that means rocks, vegetation, and ice lurking under whatever snow exists. The SNOTEL data confirms the picture: Annie Springs (6,021 ft) shows 0 inches of snow depth with only 0.2" SWE, and McNeil Canyon shows nothing at all. You're not skiing a snowpack right now — you're skiing a preview of one.
Wednesday is the key weather event. A 73% chance of snow showers with temps at 32°F during the day and dropping to 12°F overnight will add new snow to whatever's on the ground. That new load — even if it's just 2-4 inches — lands on a suspect early-season base of refrozen crust, rocks, and bare ground. That's a textbook storm slab setup on steep terrain, and it's why the CAIC is sitting at Considerable even without calling out a named problem. On Wednesday, treat any slope above 30 degrees with suspicion, especially north-facing terrain that won't see any solar stabilization. Thursday clears out with sun and light SSW winds, but the new snow will still be raw — don't let the bluebird conditions fool you into pushing steep lines.
Stream crossing data is pulled from California gauges and is not relevant to the San Juan Hut Route corridor — ignore it. Daylight is your other limiting factor: 10.5 hours with sunset at 5:11 PM means a strict turnaround discipline. The hut route has long travel days; if you're not moving by 7:30 AM you're eating into your margin, especially Wednesday when weather will slow travel.
Best approach for this trip: treat today and Thursday as the travel days and plan to be hunkered in the hut Wednesday during the snow shower window. If you're moving Wednesday, stay on low-angle terrain under 30 degrees and below treeline. Don't push exposed ridge travel or steep aprons until Thursday's sun has had a few hours to work. The skiing will be thin and punchy, but the objective hazard is manageable if you treat this like the early-season shakedown it is.
Waypoints
Ouray Departure
Begin the traverse from the Ouray area. Shuttle service available.
9,098 ft
First San Juan Hut
First hut along the route. Warm up by the wood stove after a big approach day.
10,991 ft
Ridgeline Pass
High point of the traverse. Exposed ridge—be prepared for wind.
12,795 ft
Last Dollar Hut
Final hut before the descent to Telluride. Sunset views are remarkable.
10,499 ft
Telluride Finish
Arrive in Telluride. Celebrate at a local brewery.
8,750 ft
Route Details
Distance
22.0 mi
Elevation Gain
7,999 ft
Elevation Loss
8,497 ft
Max Elevation
12,795 ft
Estimated Days
5
Trailhead
Ouray Trailhead
Best Season
January through March for best conditions. Huts booked well in advance.
Permit Required
Hut reservations required through San Juan Hut Systems. Book 3-6 months ahead.
About This Route
The San Juan Hut Route is a multi-day ski touring traverse through Colorado's San Juan Mountains, connecting a series of backcountry huts between Ouray and Telluride. This is one of the premier hut-to-hut ski experiences in North America. The route traverses through high alpine terrain above 10,000 feet, crossing several passes and ridgelines with spectacular views of the San Juan range. Each hut is fully equipped with bunks, a wood stove, cooking supplies, and basic provisions. The terrain between huts varies from mellow touring to steeper descents into valleys. Advanced backcountry skills are essential—navigation, avalanche assessment, and winter camping proficiency. The San Juan Avalanche Center provides forecasts. Hut reservations are required and book months in advance for peak season.
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