We did the telluride-moab hut to hut trail ride this last September and had a terrific time. The huts were rustic, just the way we wanted. The views were outstanding and the riding a great challenge. It was one of my favorite trips that I have ever done. Now, i have to say that we were blessed with terrific weather the whole time. No rain, no heat or real cold. I can see the experience being quite different if the weather was otherwise.

But, hey, that's life and we keep pedaling. I recommend this trip for people who can handle adversity (potential weather changes), rustic living, and challenging biking. When I say challenging, I mean tough hill climbing, not technical riding. There wasn't a technical spot on the trail if you take the main road, not the optional side trails. We pulled BOB trailers to carry some of our stuff. These trailers even handled the short optional single track we did as we approached Moab on the last day.

Again, highly recommended. The only down side was a disappointing discount offered on their website. We signed up over the winter and the offer said that if two couples signed up, the cost would be half price for each couple. One couple signed up on one day, the other couple signed up the next day and they didn't honor the discount. They said they knew the rules of the offer (nowhere to be found on the website) and the offer was not good. After the first phone call, the other inquiries were not returned. No reply emails, no returned phone calls. We spent $1200 more than we thought we should, based on the offer. The only disappointing part of the trip. I hardly remember that problem now that we're back and had such a great time.

We met the owner and other helpers along the route and they were very friendly. The huts were not all stocked the same but we had plenty at each one to make great meals.

We went in summer to avoid the cold. It was "peak heat" they said. Well, that doesn't have anything on a Mississippi summer... so we were pleased with the "cool" temps. Humidity was like 4% so watch your water intake.

Huts have varying levels of food. Bacon/eggs were only at 1 hut, and there wasn't much.

Map is good. Paper directions contain errors, but by the time you learn the maps you can figure out the errors in the paper. Also.... why in the heck don't they have a gps data set? Or at least coordinates for the huts?

Route is dirt roads. FYI. Singletrack is available, but limited.

Also, see [--] for a few of our trip pics.

Would do again. Plan to take durango route next time. We drove from MS to CO nonstop (huge mistake) for this trip. Took 32 hours to get back, nonstop.

Was fun. Be sure to take tools to remove cassette so you can replace broken drive-side spoke. Leatheman plier tips will work in a pinch.

Graham ranch hut... what can I say. ENORMOUS mice infestation. Sleep outside if possible. It was like living in a hamster cage. UNREAL levels of rodents. Cannot stress this enough. But, there were hot showers here also.

One member took bob trailer. Mistake. Kept hitting rocks and it fishtailed at speed over 25mph. Expect speeds of 40-50 mph easily on the downhills.

Visit oldmanmountain for f/s compatible panniers. I bought front and rear.... excellent.

I concur with those reviewers who describe the condition of the huts as very inconsistent. One hut would be completely stocked with eggs, bacon, fruit, pasta, paper products, wine and beer and then the next would be severely lacking or devoid of many or most of these items. And the problems seemed to get worse as one rode further from Telluride, although some of the huts themselves were quite new and very clean. But we never starved or lacked for snacks for the next day's ride.

As a comparison, I live in NE, where the AMC maintains 8 high mountain huts. For about $80 / night you get a full, multi-course dinner and breakfast cooked for you AND the supplies and trash are packed in/out on the hut staff's backs. Compare this to the $100 plus per night at San Juan where the huts are resupplied by truck and all is self serve.

One of the more troubling nights was at Graham Ranch, where for some reason the composting toilet was locked and we were instructed to use the flush toilet in a little outbuilding. The well / spring had run dry and there was no water in the toilet tank so we had to use drinking water to flush the toilet. Not only potentially a big sanitary problem but we were forced to use the limited water supply and could have left the next group short. This is a serious problem and I am sure that local health officials would have a dim view of 8 folks a night not having proper toilet facilities.

The ride was very scenic and physically but not technically challenging. Having seen the number of roads and amount of federal land on which to camp, I would concur with Two Huskies that given a bit of planning and some strategic caching one could have had a similar adventure at much less cost and more within your control, although with more work.

All in all a nice trip but it could be better for the money. If you set your expectations accordingly you should have a fun time.

Having just come off an early Sept. run from Telluride to Moab I can say this outfit needs some competition.
Unfortunately, it is a Monopoly !
The food to survive is provided; but the basics/choices which are talked up by the company are often lacking. We arrived at a hut a few days into the ride which had recently been "Re-Stocked" as witnessed by the empty/new trash can liners. 1 roll of paper towel, no pasta and not a can of beer or wine was to be found ANYWHERE. This after 33 miles of dusty roads. When one of my fellow travelers called his wife and relayed this story to her she called the San Juan office. She later told us that we 7 had simply overlooked the 3 cases of beer which were under the bunkbeds! B. S. !!
I suspect the locally hired staff, of which there are 4, had simply kept them for himself. Either way, the consistency of this trip is the inconsistancy and constant degradation in cleanliness as one rides farther from the home office.
This company seems to think that service is not part of the business plan.
I would save my money and ride this part of the country without San Juans "Help". Bring a tent, cache a few food/beverage drops along the way and enjoy the knowledge that your dinner is what you want and not what's left after a summer of disregard.
PS. The scenery was beautiful. Good Luck !