San Juan Hut Route
San Juans, CO
Elevation Profile
Current Conditions
Bottom Line
Low danger across all elevations, no avalanche problems identified — clean bulletin for a May tour. The main thing to manage this weekend is afternoon wet snow as temps hit the mid-40s and a series of small overnight snow showers that could add light new snow by Monday and Tuesday. Get moving early each day and you're in great shape.
46°/23°F · Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Snow Showers
Low (1/5)
42" depth
Normal flows · 5 gauges
No active fires within 50 miles
13h 50m daylight · Sunrise 6:13 AM · Sunset 8:04 PM
Full Briefing
Avalanche conditions are as good as they get: Low (1/5) across all elevations with zero identified problems from CAIC. No persistent slabs, no wind slabs, no storm slabs — the snowpack is in a stable late-season state. The bulletin's only note is the standard 'watch for isolated terrain features' language that's always there. Ignore it for route-planning purposes; it's not signaling a real problem. Ski the terrain you want to ski.
The weather pattern is what needs your attention over the three days. Today's high is 46°F with light 5-10 mph westerly winds and only a 23% chance of snow showers — fine for travel. Tonight flips to Snow Showers Likely (59%) with a low of 28°F and SW winds at 10 mph. Monday brings a Chance of Snow Showers with highs back to 46°F and winds picking up to 10-20 mph SW. Tuesday mirrors Monday — mid-40s, 50% chance of showers in the afternoon, then Snow Showers Likely again Tuesday night at 68%. None of these events look like significant loading cycles, but you may be breaking trail through a few inches of new snow on morning skinning each day.
The bigger daily management issue is afternoon wet snow. With highs in the mid-40s at what appears to be valley-floor level, ridgeline and upper elevation temps will be close to freezing by midday. May sun angle in the San Juans is aggressive. South and southwest aspects will soften and get heavy quickly after about noon. Plan your descents on solar aspects before 12:30 PM. North-facing lines will stay cold and skiable longer — prioritize those for afternoon turns. The 10-20 mph SW winds Monday and Tuesday are worth noting but are well below the threshold for meaningful wind slab formation, especially with no identified wind slab problem in the bulletin.
SNOTEL data for this specific area is unreliable for your elevation range — the listed stations are at 840 ft and 6,021 ft and don't represent San Juan Hut Route terrain. Your 42-inch snowpack depth on-site is solid for early May. Nearly 14 hours of daylight gives you a massive weather window — use the early morning hours for uphill travel on sun-exposed aspects and save the descents for when conditions tell you the surface is right, not when the clock says so.
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.
Plan This Route
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