Frequently Asked Questions
The distance to the yurt is a little less than 2 1/2 miles from Highway 17. The elevation change is approximately 400 feet from the trailhead at the highway, to the yurt, which is at 10,600 feet elevation.
SHEETS, BLANKETS & PILLOWS, ARE NOT BE PROVIDED AT THE YURT. GUESTS MUST BRING THEIR OWN BEDDING. WE WILL HAVE KITCHEN TOWELS, DISHCLOTHES & SPONGES FOR YOUR USE. PLEASE PLACE USED KITCHEN TOWELS AND DISHCLOTHES IN THE LAUNDRY BAG.
For your information, there is a queen bed, a double bed and two single beds.
WINTER: The snow is your drinking water! There is a “clean snow bucket” in the yurt to gather snow with and a large metal pan to melt your snow on top of the wood stove. Please make sure your treat your water or filter it. DON'T MAKE YELLOW SNOW! Keep the snow clean for everyone.
SUMMER/FALL: Guests will need to bring their own water. A cart will be provided for you to transport your water and supplies from the gate where you park the car, to the yurt 1/4 mile away.
WINTER: Out of consideration for everyone who stays at the yurt, please leave your dog at home. In the winter, the snow is your drinking water and it is important to keep it clean. We have a policy of “no yellow snow” (or other colors!) around the yurt.
SUMMER:
The time it takes to get to the yurt depends on many factors including the weather, the condition of the trail (broken or unbroken), your fitness level, the equipment you use or your group. In general, you can plan on 2 to 3 hours to get to the yurt. Plan extra time if you are using snowshoes, have children in your group or need to break trail after a storm. We recommend starting at the trailhead no later than noon, so that you can get to the yurt before the sun sets (yes it can set over the ridge by the yurt as early as 3 or 4 pm) and get a fire going before dark.
The north/south ridge behind the yurt, called Pinrealosa Mountain, is ideal for tele skiers looking for some blue runs. You can skin up the ridge and then crank some turns through the open glades back down to the highway, for about 800 to 900 feet of vertical. For more challenging terrain, there is a steeper run directly behind the yurt through the trees.
The area in Spruce Hole is a cross-country skier’s paradise with rolling hills, woods and open meadows and ridges. There is plenty of kick and glide country available and lots of four wheel drive roadbeds to follow. On the higher terrain, you’ll enjoy views of the Sangre de Cristo mountains, the Conejos River canyon and the South San Juan mountains.
The Spruce Hole Yurt is ideal for beginners. It is a short distance to the yurt and has little elevation gain. If you have never winter camped, though, we ask that you go to the yurt with someone who is experienced.
Check-in and Check-out time is the same - 12 noon.
If you want to get in a ski or walk in the area before leaving, make sure you remove all you items from the yurt and have cleaned it up by 12 noon, then you may put your gear under the yurt to retrieve later.
WINTER: You will park your car at the trailhead at Highway 17 and the turn-off to Spruce Hole Road(20 miles north of Chama). The Colorado Department of Transportation plows this area in the winter.
SUMMER: You will park your car outside the locked gate that is about a 1/4 mile away from the yurt, and about 2 miles from highway 17. Do not block the gate.