Peter Estin Hut to Harry Gates Hut

Dogs No Dogs

Features Fall Colors · Lake · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This is Part 2 of a four-day, three-night trek from above Eagle and Edwards, Colorado, across to Lenado, Colorado, near Aspen. With a friend coming into town, I looked for a multi-day hut trip that would allow us to hit some moderate peaks and move from near Vail, Colorado, to Aspen.

New York Mountain from this trailhead is a very accessible 12,550-foot peak that includes views from Eagle, Hardscrabble Mountain, and Red Table Mountain to the west, Edwards to the north, and a variety of 12,000- and 13,000-foot peaks to the east and south.

Noland Lake lies to the southwest of New York Mountain and is an attractive mountain lake surrounded by high peaks.

The three selected huts -- Peter Estin, Harry Gates, and Margy's -- form a bucket brigade of stopovers with views, facilities, and overnight comfort.

There are additional potential start points and other stops that can be had along the way.

Our visit in the fall added pure yellow Aspen and Birch tree vistas in every direction.

The Peter Estin Hut looks out onto a wide open field that slopes downward in what must be a great winter downhill skiing section. At the advice of a 10th Mountain team member, we headed straight down this field until encountering the more frequently used horse trail that joined from higher up. Lots of places to twist an ankle or create a foot-trap, but beautiful views all around.

After regaining a clear trail, we wound through opens fields and forest before popping out into the clear at Woods Lake. Here we joined the Forest Service road for a while following the GPS track at the junctions. A relatively mild uphill climb leads you to the parking area for the hut, and at 0.25 miles along, the structure appears.