Hike to & Stay at Francie's Cabin
Details
Distance
1.09 miles
Elevation Gain
1000 ft
Route Type
Point-to-Point
Added by Josiah Roe
Great views of the 10 Mile Range and easy access to the Crystal Lakes and Mohawk Lake's Basin, complete with a sauna.
Located at 11,360' and owned by the 10th Mountain Division Hut Association, Francies Cabin was built in memory of Frances Lockwood Bailey in 1994 and is located just a short distance (5 mile drive, 1.05 mile hike) from town of Breckenridge, Colorado.
It has a summer and winter capacity of 20 people and includes a wood burning sauna. To stay at Francie's Cabin you must make a reservation as day-use is not allowed except in cases of emergency.
To get there drive south out of Breckenridge on 9 and go right on Spruce Creek Road just past Goose Pasture Tarn on your left. Stay to your left all the way till the road ends in a large parking area.
In the summer 4WD vehicles can continue onwards, shortening the route. Hikers should take the shorter but much more difficult Crystal Lake's trail / 4WD road to the right. The trail is clearly marked, including the turnoff to Francie's.
Cell phone service is unreliable at the cabin and in winter months the 4WD roads are unusable.
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Reviews
Leave a ReviewClose and yet so far away
This cabin was my first proper foray into backcountry exploration and definitely won’t be my last. Being one of the larger cabins in the hut system in Colorado it comfortably slept 12 of us and I think it can accommodate much more then that. The hike to the hut is beautiful albeit a bit short depending on where you are starting from. I accomplished the feat in the winter with snowshoes. The hut itself has a large deck, “full” kitchen, wood burning stove, clean restroom facilities, and a separate building with sauna! The views are unmatched! Be safe. Have fun.
5.0
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