Near Leadville in Eagle County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
A History of the 10th Mountain Division
Origins: 1941-1944
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 27, 2025
1. A History of the 10th Mountain Division Marker
When Charles Minot Minnie Dole, head of the National Ski Patrol System, heard how ski-mounted Finnish troops repelled a larger Soviet army in 1939, he realized that the United States was unprepared for mountain or winter combat in the event the nation became involved in the European war. After pressuring the War Department into forming a unit of ski troops in late 1941, he received authorization to use the National Ski Patrol as an official recruiting agency.
Originally all-volunteer, the unit only accepted applicants who had three letters of recommendation, were superb skiers, mountain climbers, or possessed the skills to survive in a harsh environment. Many collegiate, Olympic-caliber, and foreign-born skiers were among the first to join.
As this fledgling group began training at Mt. Rainier, Washington, a new, permanent facility for them was being built seven miles north of where you are standing now. It was named Camp Hale (after Gen. Irving Hale, Colorado's Spanish-American War leader) and became home for nearly 15,000 soldiers and 5,000 pack mules and horses.
In early 1945, after 15 months of training at Camp Hale, the Division took part in the D Series grueling maneuvers held during one of the harshest winters in memory to see if they were battle ready. At the end of 1944, after six months of
this page online
Erected by Forest Service, United States Department of Agriculture.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1941.
Location. 39° 21.725′ N, 106° 18.644′ W. Marker is near Leadville, Colorado, in Eagle County. It is at the intersection of 10th Mountain Division Memorial Highway (U.S. 24) and Tennessee Pass Road, on the right when traveling north on 10th Mountain Division Memorial Highway. The marker is located beside the Tennessee Pass Summit wayside parking lot, just inside the Eagle County line. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Leadville CO 80461, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Colorado High Rockies. It is also in the American Mountain West. Globally, it is in North America, the Rocky Mountains, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named A History of the 10th Mountain Division (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named A History of the 10th Mountain Division (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named A History of the 10th Mountain Division (here, next to this marker); Tennessee Pass (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Tennessee Pass
2. Marker detail: Charles M. Dole, father of the 10th Mountain Division
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. A History of the 10th Mountain Division
Also see . . . 10th Mountain Division (Wikipedia).
Excerpt: The 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) is a light infantry division in the United States Army based at Fort Drum, New York. Formerly designated as a mountain warfare unit, the division was the only one of its size in the U.S. military to receive specialized training for fighting in mountainous conditions.(Submitted on December 14, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Originally activated as the 10th Light Division (Alpine) in 1943, the division was redesignated the 10th Mountain Division in 1944 and fought in the mountains of Italy in some of the roughest terrain in World War II.
Following the war, the division was deactivated, only to be reactivated and redesignatedas the 10th Infantry Division in 1948. The division first acted as a training division and, in 1954, was converted to a full combat division and, in 1955, was sent to Germany before being deactivated again in 1958.
3. Marker detail: Advanced Ski Training at Cooper HillAdvanced Ski Training at Cooper Hill (now named Ski Cooper, located about a mile east of this location.) At the time, Cooper Hill had the longest ski lift in the U.S.The Army used the 10th to test new clothing and equipment designs.
Reactivated again in 1985, the division was designated the 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) to historically tie it to the World War II division and to also better describe its modern disposition. Since its reactivation, the division or elements of the division have deployed numerous times. Since 2002, the 10th Mountain Division has been the most deployed regular Army unit. Its combat brigades have seen over 20 deployments.
4. Marker detail: Rock Climbing at Camp Hale
5. Marker detail: Mules hauling supplies during maneuvers
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 27, 2025
6. A History of the 10th Mountain Division Kiosk
This marker is on the west side of the 10th Mountain Division History kiosk at the Tennessee Pass Summit wayside.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 15, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 12, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 111 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 14, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
