Polar Star Inn

Last weekend we were lucky enough to get invited up to the Polar Star Inn, part of the 10th Mountain Division hut system.  The trail head was located about an hour south of Edwards, CO.  Our approach route (Newcomer Spring) was a beautiful six miles in, with around 2,000' vertical gain.  As we gained elevation towards the hut, the  snow coverage improved drastically, and during the last couple miles we enjoyed big flakes falling steadily.

The hut itself was fantastic.  It sleeps 18 comfortably and was very clean and spacious.  The outhouses were completetly managable, and running water eases snow-melting chores.  It snowed off and on all weekend, and I'd say two feet fell over the three days.  Half the crew skinned in Friday, with the remaining nine coming in Saturday morning.  You can imagine our mood in the hut as dark fell on Saturday night and all nine of our late crew were unaccounted for.

Soon two headlamps appeared from the forest, and two hungry hikers entered the hut.  Our friends Tiller and Suzie.  They had news that Mike and Tiffany had been forced to abandon the hut weekend the day before, but we still had five people unaccounted for.  90 minutes later the remaining five showed up in pitch black, in suprisingly good spirits.  I was glad to see them, but it meant our meal crew had to do double dish duty.  But I guess I'd rather do dishes than form a search party...

The terrain around the hut was great, and snow condition were killer.  Everyone was super excited to get some good powder action in this sorry, sorry snow year for the Front Range.

Here's the good pics:
    PHOTO GALLERY

Here's a teaser video until I get all the footage

          VIDEO