Mount Hayden Backcountry Lodge

My wife and I spent two nights at Mount Hayden Backcountry Lodge, and those two nights were the best two nights of our honeymoon. We cannot recommend it highly enough. Here were our favorite parts of our stay: 1. The locale is breathtaking. The lodge is surrounded by lush forest, 13K peaks, meadows filled with wildflowers, and panoramic views of the valleys below. The area is incredibly beautiful. 2. The food was absolutely delicious. We were fed like kings and queens. Each breakfast and dinner comprised no fewer than five dishes—all extremely tasty. The food was nutritious, and there was lots of it, which fueled us for long days of hiking and left us going to sleep extremely satisfied. It's amazing that Eric is able to get so many high-quality groceries up there. 3. Eric and the guest hosts were extremely kind and welcoming. My wife and I greatly enjoyed getting to know them during meals. They really make you feel like welcomed guests in their home. 4. The amenities (e.g., wifi, shower, fresh spring water, hot tub) made the stay even more comfortable and fun. Again, we couldn't believe that we could have those things in the middle of the mountains. 5. Given that the lodge is so remote, the view of the stars at night was incredible. In summary, if you are in Colorado, you absolutely have to stay at Mount Hayden Backcountry Lodge. You will not regret it.

Shangri-La is no longer a fictional place thought to be in Tibet. Rather, Shangri-La can be found in the San Juan mountains of Colorado at around 11,000 feet looking over Telluride and Ouray. Eric, the owner, founder, visionary, care-taker, builder, chef, and host, has built an extraordinary "cabin" right at Colorado's timberline. This is a must visit and must see place. A few highlights (way to many to list them all): 1. The cabin is special. How it got built and how it is as comfortable and as sturdy as it is mind-bending. This is one of the last places on earth that is truly off the grid. That said, with solar, hydro-electric, clean mountain spring water and wood burning stoves, you'll get a nice shower, comfortable beds and great meals. 2. Speaking of meals, Eric is a 25-year veteran chef. The food is fresh (genuinely farm or back yard to table), healthy and hearty. 3. The backdrop is like none I've seen before... be it from the front porch of the 14K peaks in the distance or the backyard that opens into an immense (and beautiful) meadow nestled between two 13K peaks. This place is Shangri-La! 4. The hiking (my 9-year-old son and I went in the summer so it was not back-country skiing) was terrific. For flatlander's like us, the altitude was the only challenging part. The trails, and even off the trails, are perfect for day hikes or longer. If you want to challenge yourself, you can. However, there is plenty to see an do without getting too far out of your comfort zone. 5. If you're a 4X4 enthusiast, the trails are legendary. Imogene Pass is an obvious must do (especially since that is the only way to the cabin), but so are the offshoots, old mines (ghost towns), vistas, river crossing and terrain. Whether you're a 5-star "glamping" enthusiast or a hardcore outdoorsman, this is a must visit. You'll thoroughly enjoy it along with all of the cool people you'll meet while passing through.

Some of my best meals and best ski days have been at the Mount Hayden Backcountry Lodge. 10/10.

Awesome spot, awesome host, awesome food, cool guests.