Overnight at the Emma and Marceline Yurts, Leadville

Drive past the main downtown of Leadville and then head into the mountains south of town, following Mt. Sherman Road to the Yurt parking along a ridge before you come to the Black Cloud Mine. There are signs that say "Yurt Parking". Follow the road a little further down to a jeep road just before the mine. Take the jeep road to the right and look for the blue and silver trail markers.

The first ridge is a 500 ft climb where you will pass through public access and then into private property, some of which is leased through the Fish and Wildlife Service of Colorado. After the ridge, you will descend for a couple miles or so. Next you will cross through a meadow to the steep climb at about 4.5 miles in.

The next mile and a half was a long ascent of 1200 ft to the yurts. Once you reach the clearing, there is a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains and the yurts are just ahead.

The yurts are fully stocked. There is a gas grill/oven combo, a woodstove, 2 bunk beds, games and lots of odds and ends. Definitely hike the ridge above the yurts and take in the beautiful view of the Sawatch at sunset.

To descend back to the parking lot, you can take the same route, or in the winter you can descend over the high ridge behind the yurts and route find your way back to the trail.

There is a lot of skiing or hiking depending on the season all around the yurts. They are situated at 12,000 ft in a large open bowl behind Mt. Sherman.

For more information and to reserve the yurts, visit LeadvilleBackcountry.com to make your reservation.