THE BUTTERFLY HOUSE
Your Colorado Mountain Hostel
Located on Monarch Pass HWY 50, CO
We welcome all thru hikers and bikers
Just 2 miles by trail off the CT and CDT
Donation based - suggested $30 per night per person
No reservations are required - first come first serve.
Showers and Laundry are available
see below for directions and resupply packages
Directions
Hiking Southbound CT West / CDT
Going from segment 4 into segment 5 you will come to a sign for Boss Lake Trailhead.
Turn here following the butterfly signs.
Walk 2 miles down jeep road 230 then a side trail and you will reach the Butterfly House.
Hiking Northbound CT West / CDT
Going from segment 5 into segment 4 you will come to a sign for Boss Lake Trailhead.
Turn here following the butterfly signs.
Walk 2 miles down jeep road 230 then a side trail and you will reach the Butterfly House
Hiking Southbound CT East
At segment 15 you will reach HWY 50 at mile 253. You can hitch hike or hike the highway 2.4 miles up the pass (west) to the Butterfly House.
OR
Follow the butterfly sign just before reaching the highway taking a right on a dirt road keeping you above HWY 50.
This is a much nicer walk then going onto the highway. 2 miles up (west) and follow the butterfly signs leading you up the driveway.
Either way you go driveway is on the north side of the highway in the town of Garfield. Butterfly sign in a tree by the road is your landmark.
Go to top of driveway and its the first building at the top.
Hiking Northbound CT East
Segment 16 becomes 15 as you reach HWY 50 (Monarch Pass). Here you can hitchhike or hike up the highway (west) 2.4 miles.
OR
Cross the highway up the CT 0.1 miles you will come to a butterfly sign directing you to turn left on a dirt road that stays above HWY 50 for approx. 2 miles. Follow the butterfly signs.
Either way you go driveway is on the north side of the highway in the town of Garfield. Butterfly sign in a tree by the road is your landmark.
Go to top of driveway and its the first building at the top.
From Top of Monarch Pass
Hitchhike 6 miles down Monarch Pass, HWY 50 east bound towards Salida.
You will pass the Monarch Mountain Lodge hotel on your right and the hostel will be the second left driveway 0.2 miles after.
There is a butterfly sign at the bottom of driveway.
Walk to the top of driveway.
From Salida / Poncha Springs
Hitchhike 15 miles up Monarch Pass, HWY 50 West bound.
Sign for town of Garfield on your right.
The driveway is the second turn on the right after the Garfield sign.
There is a Butterfly Sign at the bottom of the driveway.
Walk to the top of the driveway.
Packages
Packages can be mailed to the Monarch Mountain Lodge which is right across the street from the hostel. Reason being UPS, FEDEX, USPS all know where the lodge is so packages won't get lost. The lodge does accept thru hiker packages
Address
Monarch Mountain Lodge (Your Name)
22720 W US HWY 50
Salida CO 81201
Shuttles/Resupply
Shuttles to and from trail heads and to town for resupply are NOT provided daily.
If and when our team is able we will offer rides to accommodate your needs and donations are appreciated.
Hitchhiking on Monarch Pass to Salida, trailheads, or the hostel is very easy with drivers being very familiar with seeing hikers and offering a lift.
Enjoy some photos from the 2020 hiker season
