Grand Huts Association is Committed to Creating an Eco-Friendly Hut System in Grand County

If you've ever hiked up from the Second Creek Trailhead to the Continental Divide, you know the gem that is the Broome Hut. A few switchbacks up the pass from Winter Park and the first of a master-planned, trail-connected hut system spanning from Berthoud to Grand Lake, the "hut" moniker doesn't fully do the Broome Hut justice. At 1,800 square feet, the structure can accommodate up to 16 people overnight and offers a separate daytime pit stop for hikers. Created with sustainability in mind, it's solar panels, compost toilets, and pellet stove make the Broome Hut a mountain haven that can last for years to come with minimal impact on the natural beauty that surrounds it.

The overnight side's two bunk rooms and two private rooms are complete with two propane stove tops, dishes, pots, pans, electric lighting (no outlets), indoor composting toilets, guitars, and board games. Well-stocked, you'll even find a french press for coffee if you poke around the cupboards! All guests need to pack is food, drinking water, and sleeping bags! And the day-use side is a great stop for hikers - warm up in the winter, enjoy a meal at the outdoor picnic table in the summer, and use the indoor compost toilets free of charge. 

The hut sits on the Continental Divide, a little over a mile hike from the Second Creek parking area at mile-marker 240 on Berthoud Pass. The 800 foot climb up a well-marked trail lands you at the Broome Hut, 11,350 feet above sea level.

This off-the-beaten bath dwelling wasn't easy to construct and stock. A mass of volunteer hours (6,000+) and several helicopter trips made the dream a reality. And we have local nonprofit Grand Huts Association to thank!

THE VISION

Grand Huts Association had its inception in 2006 when a group of local  backcountry enthusiasts recognized the importance of the condemned Second Creek Cabin. The construction of the Broome Hut to replace the Second Creek Cabin was the first step in their dream of linking the Grand County backcountry with a system of eco-friendly huts that can be used year-round for cross country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, biking and other non-motorized outdoor pursuits by diverse populations.

FUTURE HUTS

The backcountry system GHA envisions consists of nine huts total: Broome Hut, three additional existing huts (First Creek Hut, High Lonesome Hut, and Twin Creek Hut), and five newly proposed huts. 

Their current project is one of the newly proposed huts: the Schowalter Hut in the Hamilton Creek drainage area in Tabernash. It will be similar to the Broome Hut in layout and will even have running water. We're hopeful to get to enjoy this new addition to the system in the next couple of years!

SUPPORT

Grand Huts Association relies on volunteers and donations as they work toward realizing their vision.  It truly takes a village, and watching our community come together to give time and funds in the construction of the Broome Hut was a picture of what makes this place so special. Donations of construction materials and expertise by local professionals, partial helicopter fees by Winter Park Resort, and space to construct by Rendezvous. The Grand Foundation granted a large portion of the funds needed to complete the project, local governments contributed resources, and private donors (like Paul Broome, for whom the hut is named) gave financially to make the 13-years-in-the-making dream a reality. 

If you'd like to be a part of the work GHA is doing here in Grand County, you can donate financially, volunteer as a hut master, donate supplies, or pledge to volunteer your time on the next project! 

We love this community and the way it comes together to make Grand County an even better place to call home. If owning property and putting down roots in our little mountain community is on your radar, we'd love to share even more about what makes this place special and the ins-and-outs of real estate in Grand County! Reach out to set up a time to get together, get on listing alerts, and share your vision - we can't wait to connect with you!


Posted by Leah Bishop on

Tags

Email Send a link to post via Email

Leave A Comment

e.g. yourwebsitename.com
Please note that your email address is kept private upon posting.