San Juan Huts Blog

Punch Cards for Ski Huts

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 12:13:18 -0700

Punch Cards for the 2008-2009 Ski Season

Skiers can purchase a 10 punch card for $250.00!
This punch card offers one punch per night, per skier for any one of our five ski huts!

Our rate for individual skiers per night is $30.00! The punch card, a $300.00 value for $250.00!
For larger groups, inquire about our "8 for 6" or "4 for 3" rates!

"Labor Day Special"

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 11:50:24 -0700

SAVE $200!!!!!!!
Avoid the 2009 Rate Increase!
The First 20 callers will receive a discounted rate of $650.00 to book a
ride on either route!

The 2009 bike season rate will increase to $850.00. Secure your reservation now with payment in full and save $200.00!

For those interested in Group Rates, take advantage of our "8 for 6" or our "4 for 3" rates for 2008 and make your deposit now! These rates will also be subjected to an increase in 2009.

Rider Comments

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 12:07:19 -0700

From the Rectanus Group that recently completed the Telluride to Moab Route:
" Thanks for the Amazing Experience!"

From Dan Lockwood who recently completed the Durango to Moab Route:
"Joe, We had a killer time on the Durango-Moab route! Everyone in the crew appreciated the well crafted huts and amply stocked huts."

Over Achiever Patrick Zarrick

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 12:02:56 -0700

Rider Patrick Zarrick ,who has completed the Telluride to Moab route 4 or 5 times over the past ten years, has decided to take his adventure one step further...and do both routes back to back! Leaving the Telluride trailhead on July 5, he completed the route, shuttled back, gave himself one day turnaround time and took off on the Durango Route yesterday! Happy trails Patrick!

Durango Alternate Routes

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 09:00:47 -0700

The Alternate Route available the first day of riding on the Durango Route is open! Riders have reported that the Alternate Route on the second day was wet and muddy and encounter only patches of snow.

Another Happy Rider

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:43:19 -0700

Nikki,

Thanks for the San Juan Huts! This was, by far, the most strenuous but BEST vacation I've ever had! I'll be back in 2009 for the Telluride to Moab route. Tonight I'll start downloading my pictures and writing entries for my bike blog. I had a GREAT time and was fortunate to have four great companions for the week.

Thanks for everything! If you ever need someone to direct potential riders who might have questions, I'd be happy to help.

~Chris~

Happy Trails!

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 08:36:36 -0700

Hi Joe,

My name is Tyler Lucas. I just wanted to drop you a line and say thank you for providing us with the opportunity to ride mountain bikes on a multi day tour with minimal impact!! I've made the Telluride to Moab trip 3 times with Patrick Zarrick (he is a professor at my former high school - St. Louis University High).
After living in Boulder for 4 years, I have been in Crested Butte for the past 3 years, biking in the summer and skiing in the winter. The Telluride to Moab trips helped encourage me to pursue an active mountain lifestyle and career. I now work selling mountain adventures (winter and summer) to large groups. I love where I live and am thankful for the opportunity to get out in the hills for a little high country solitude.

Today, Patrick is probably sitting outside Last Dollar Hut enjoying the sunset (and thunderstorms?) from the top of the pass. I'll be joining him in Durango next week to start the new route (I couldn't swing 2 weeks off). I'm really looking forward to it and can't wait.
Hope we get to see you and the dogs somewhere in between!

Regards,

Tyler Lucas

Monopod Mountain Bike Madness

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 13:32:27 -0700

On June 7^th, 2008 the San Juan Hut Systems donated a free Telluride to Moab hut trip to Bret Weitzel and his team toward his efforts to raise money for the Children's Cancer Fund of New Mexico. Brett is a cancer survivor and made the ride just eight months after having his right leg amputated following a 13-year battle with cancer. You can visit Brett's web site here and read more about his story.

Click through here to see the article about the trip that appeared tin the Moab Times newspaper

Carrying Systems

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 13:04:29 -0700

One of the most common questions asked by riders is "what kind of carry system should I use?" Joe Ryan owner of the San Juan Hut Systems offers this advice.

You basically have 3 options, pannier bags, trailers, and backpacks.

I recommend panniers and a solid rack like those made by Old Man Mountain (see our resource tip here). Stay away from seat post racks at all costs. They just plain can't handle this terrain and will break. We have had several calls from riders telling us their seat post rack broke and they had to leave gear in a hut. Old Man Mountain racks are available through our local shop Peak to Peak Bicycles .

Trailers, why bring a trailer? You shouldn't need that much stuff. That's why you signed up for a San Juan Hut Systems trip. We provide most everything you need. Trailers also are not a good option in mud. On spring and monsoon season trips (around July 10 to about September 10) you will see a lot of mud. The mud you encounter on routes is not your typical mud; it is the super gooey stuff that will gum up a trailer in no time leaving you in a world of hurt. Trailers will also prevent you from having maximum fun on the alternate single track routes.

A good backpack or hydration pack is a fine option as long as you aren't carrying too much. If you can travel ultra light this is all you should need. A big heavy pack on your back however is a sure way to take the fun out of a trip. It will throw you off balance and cause you serious pain.

Route Conditions

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 20:13:57 -0700

The weather in the San Juan's has been great! Lots of snow melt and minimal rain. The Durango Route has packed snow on the east side of Bolam Pass. Riders currently have to walk 3-4 miles over snow pack to get to the Bolam Pass Hut on the first day. Heading out on the second day, riders will experience another 3-4 miles of the same snow packed conditions before making it to the road.

Telluride Route...is beautiful. No snow on the route and mud conditions are minimal!

Update on Route Conditions

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 12:29:15 -0700

The weather has been great in Colorado! We have had very little rain and lots of snow melt! On the Durango Route, riders will experience 4-5 miles of packed snow leading up to the first hut at Bolam Pass. Again, this snow is packed and can be walked on. Several groups have headed out already so the trail is easily found. Heading down to the road from Bolam Pass Hut on day two, riders will experience 3-4 miles of the same packed snow conditions.

Telluride Route....looking great! No snow on trail!

Telluride Snow Conditions

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 14:06:48 -0700

Jeremy and Joe have been out in the field all week. They have indicated that the snow at Last Dollar Hut is quickly melting! The ground is muddy, but the trail is open for riding. Our first trip of the season went out on June 1st!

Hut Improvements

Fri, 30 May 2008 14:31:42 -0700

Preparing for the 2008 season has left us with little free time! Recent improvements to the huts include the installation of Food Composting Bins, new kitchen sinks (with drains), and the Gateway Hut now has a sleeping/sitting deck!

Photo Contest Winners!

Tue, 13 May 2008 15:18:00 -0700

A big thanks to all of you that entered our first photo contest. Choosing winners was not easy, but we have made our picks for the first, second, and third place winners.

3rd place goes to Cobun Keegan for this image captioned;

"Shafts of light fall on Steve and Ryan as they lead through the trees. "

Cobun you win a coupon for a 1/2 price off trip on either of the San Juan Hut System's bike routes.

2nd place goes to Jim Mercure for this image captioned:

"Our 2006 mountain biking trip from Telluride, CO to Moab, UT

Jim, you win a coupon for a free trip for one on either of the San Juan Hut System's bike routes.

And our

1st Prize winner is Do200 (you need to send us your name!) for this image captioned;

"Last day coming out of the La Sal Hut. It was all green the day before. Got 6" of snow overnight."

Do200, you win a coupon for a free trip for two on either of the San Juan Hut System's bike routes.

Congratulations to all the winners. Please contact us to receive your prizes.

Click here to go to the San Juan Hut System's flicker pool if you would like to see all the entries.

Photo Contest Update

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 13:22:24 -0700

Remember the entry deadline in May 1st for the San Juan Hut Systems Photo Contest. Don't miss your chance to win a FREE trip on the SJHS bike routes. Click here to see the entries posted on the SJHS's Flickr group so far, and add yours before the closing deadline.

Rules and entry details for the contest are posted on the San Juan Hut Systems web site on the Photo Album page.

Prizes:

First Prize: Free trip for two people on either route (based on availability)

Second Prize: Free trip for one person on either route (based on availability)

Third Prize: Ω price for one person on either route (based on availability)