Where: San Juan Huts, Ridgway, Colorado, http://sanjuanhuts.com Hiked the Sneffels Traverse in late August, from Last Dollar Hut to Silverton, staying in four huts.

Amenities: The huts are basic, but comfortable. They have good cooking facilities, wood stove (which we didn’t need in August), nice areas for seating outside, and great outdoor settings.

Trip description: Four of us made the delightful 30 mile trek and thoroughly enjoyed hiking day after day at tree-line, circling around Mt. Sneffels though the woodlands and pastures. On the first two days we gathered lots of Chantrelle mushrooms, which enriched our risotto and other meals. We happened to be hiking in parallel with two couples, who were great company. The huts offer basic comfort, conviviality, and a chance to rest and recreate after a nice days walk.

Highly recommended for hut-to-hut hiking and would be great for skiing too! Maybe someday we’ll do the bike route too!

Tips: f you like a pillow, bring a pillowcase and stuff it with your down vest or other clothing. Make sure you’ve cleaned your water filter. Don’t miss the spur to “the greatest view in Colorado”, it is spectacular indeed. Distances between huts are short (about 5-6 miles) so you don’t have to get a super early start! Opportunities to do peak-bagging or visit Blue Lake make for longer days, so staying two days in one hut as base camp is a good possibility. The written directions are occasionally confusing (and in one case plain wrong), but anyone with basic map/compass skills can figure it out.

Submitted by Laurel Bradley