Meet Kelly Ryan | Co-Owner and GM of San Juan Huts, Adventurer, and Mother

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kelly Ryan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kelly, how does your business help the community?
There are very few times in modern life when people get to unplug and rely on their bodies and minds to move through a beautiful and immense landscape for a week at time. We are so often consumed by emails, texts, social media, and to do lists that time passes without us taking much of substance into our lives. I also think these adventures are special because they are self-guided. It is really up to each person to ride, hike, or ski (depending on the route) from one hut to the next. I think most people end these adventures feeling rejuvenated, empowered, and connected to those they traveled with. It is something they will remember for the rest of their lives.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
We are a family-owned and operated business. We often do things the hard, like hauling propane tanks into huts in backpacks, because we enjoy it and it has the least impact on the lands we operate in. My father and I are both pretty stubborn which is the only reason the business has survived and is also likely the reason for some of our challenges. We love inspiring and facilitating backcountry adventures in our ‘neck of the woods’ with a minimal footprint.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well this is an easy question and a hard question at the same time for us. Obviously, we would suggest doing one of our bike or hiking routes, which are about a week long, but which one!!!!

If it was summer, I guess I would likley choose our Durango to Moab Mountain Bike Route because it covers some of the most stunning scenery I have seen anywhere in the world and it is so diverse from climbing over the San Juan Mountains, to rolling across the high mountain deserts, to canyon country, and finally back over the La Sals and down into Moab.

If it was spring or fall, definitely our Tour of the Canyons mixed surface ride through remote canyons of southwest Colorado and Utah. This is also a great option if they have a little less than a week and can be done as a long weekend adventure from the Front Range.

For winter months, I would say linking up the Ridgway Hut, which has spectacular backcountry skiing above it, with the Blue Lakes Hut to get the sense that you are really moving through the mountains. You also get a fantastic view of Mount Sneffels (14.150ft) on this traverse. This trip would have to be followed up by the mandatory post hut trip meal at Taco Del Nar in Ridgway and soak in one of the local hot springs.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My husband, Dan Zokaites, who has always believed in me and (well lets say 99% of the time) supported me working long hours for years while I got things to the point where they run more smoothly. He has also stepped in to help when we needed a hand or something he had a strong skill set in. Also, to my father, Joe Ryan, who started this business and kept it going through sheer determination and backbreaking work.

Website: https://www.sanjuanhuts.com

Instagram: sanjuanhuts

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sanjuanhutsystems/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sanjuanhutscolorado