Elwood Cabin sits in a saddle along the San Juan Mountains overlooking an open meadow, offering guests a unique lodging opportunity. The cabin was built in 1911 by the Mountain States Telephone Company as a "line shack" to support crews maintaining the transcontinental telephone line. Remnants of this old telephone line are still found along Iron Creek to the southeast. The cabin was also used as a Forest Service Station from 1950 until 1962, serving as living quarters for Forest Service employees who worked on numerous projects in the area. Although the phone line has been abandoned, today the cabin is a high-altitude getaway for guests seeking relaxation and recreation in south-central Colorado. During summer months the cabin can be accessed by motorized travel. During winter months access to the cabin is by snowmobiles, cross country skiing or snow shoeing.
From Del Norte, take U.S. Highway 160 west to South Fork. Continue west on U.S. Highway 160 for 8 miles to Park Creek Road. Travel 15 miles on Park Creek Road to Summitville Road. Turn right on FSR 380, the cabin is about 2 miles on the left. From the junction of FSR 250 in the Alamosa Canyon and FSR 380, follow FSR 380 about 8 miles, the cabin is on the right. Access to the cabin in the summertime can be accomplished with just about any vehicle; however, when the dirt roads are wet they tend to get slick. In winter, the trail access to the Elwood Cabin is on the unplowed portion of Forest Road 380, which starts southeast from the junction, but makes a bend and continues south-southwest to the cabin. The 2 mile ski to the cabin is generally easy with a 400 foot elevation gain. The Elwood Cabin is visible below the road on a knoll projecting into a large open park. Allow from 1.5 - 2 hours or longer, depending on snow conditions, for the trip.
Water not available at this facility Guests should be aware of potential avalanche danger on the trip to Due to its remoteness and high elevation, Elwood Cabin is typically not accessible by automobile vehicles during the winter months. The only access is by a 22 mile snowmobile trip or by skiing or snowshoeing in that distance. During late spring and early summer, the road to Elwood Cabin may be plowed to within two miles of the cabin, but these last two miles will still have to be accessed by snowmobile or skiing or snowshoes. For a conditions report, including road conditions to Elwood Cabin, please contact the Conejos Peak Ranger District prior to booking your stay. Dress appropriately for winter conditions and pack enough food to last for at least 48 hours Access to the cabin is by a combination lock; call the Forest Service office at (719) 274-8971 one week before your stay to get the access combination Please contact the Ranger District prior to arriving at the cabin to check on any restrictions or conditions, such as fire or road closures, weather or storms that may affect the quality of your visit Do not leave food or trash outside the cabin; there are bears in the area All garbage and food must be packed out The cabin is a no-smoking facility Please clean cabin upon departure Make sure cabin is locked upon departure Drink plenty of water before arrival and during your stay to avoid altitude sickness Expect afternoon thunderstorms in the summer and below freezing temperatures in the spring, winter and fall Learn more about the Rio Grande National Forest Don't Move Firewood: Prevent the spread of tree-killing organisms by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org.
