Margy’s Hut

Route Description

From Lenado Trailhead parking, continue up the obvious main road by foot or ski. You’ll pass Spruce Creek Trailhead on the right and a few feet after that you’ll cross an automobile bridge. Stay on the wide road-cut of the main road for 1 mile to a distinct switchback hairpin (9,065 feet). Put your skins on here. Just before the switchback turn right off the main road onto the Johnson Creek Trail and climb a fairly steep hill. The Johnson Creek Trail follows an ill defined road-cut on the east side of Silver Creek. At 9,270 feet turn right (E) out of the Silver Creek drainage and follow a sidehill trail that climbs (with several switchbacks) 1 1/2 miles up Johnson Creek to another distinct snow-covered road at 10,480 feet.

Turn right (S) on this obvious road which leads slightly downhill and level for 1/4 mile (leave your skins on) around a shoulder, then gradually climbs for 2 miles to 11,040 feet. Here the 10th Mountain suggested route takes a left fork (switchback) and climbs N for 180 vertical feet to a timbered saddle. From the saddle ski several hundred feet N and intersect another snow-covered road on the north side of the saddle. Turn right (E) on this road and follow it for 3/4 mile as it traverses north-facing terrain. Just before the road makes a turn N, leave the road and ski SE through a clearing, then a short distance downhill to the hut. The hut is not visible until you are several hundred feet away.

Locations of Observed or Reported Avalanche Activity: Avalanche activity has been reported along this suggested route at locations indicated below. Elevations indicate approximate elevation where the slides crossed the trail, not the starting zones.

• Approx. 1/2 mile up from the trailhead, steep hillside on skier’s right (9,000′). D2-3.
• The trail leaves the road approx. 1 mile up from the trailhead. Just beyond this point, large gully on skier’s left (9,080′). D3.
• Approx. 1/4 mile beyond where the trail leaves the road, short path on skier’s right (9,100′). D2.
• Approx. 1/2 mile beyond where the trail leaves the road, 2 large gullies (100 yards apart) on skier’s left (9,200′). D3.
• Approx. 1/2 mile up from where the trail crosses Silver Creek, small slope on skier’s left (8,760′). D1.

Avalanche size/destructive force is scaled according to the American Avalanche Association as follows:

• D1 – Relatively harmless to people
• D2 – Could bury or injure a person
• D3 – Could bury a car, damage a truck, destroy a wood frame house, or break a few trees
• D4 – Could destroy a railroad car, large truck, several buildings, or a substantial amount of forest
• D5 – Could gouge the landscape, largest snow avalanches known

Trailhead Directions

Parking

IMPORTANT! There is no designated exclusive 10th Mountain hut visitor parking at the Lenado trailhead. Public parking for a few vehicles – including hut visitors – is available on the left side of the road before the bridge and snowplow turnaround. Parking illegally may result in your vehicle being towed, booted or ticketed. If you prefer ample, hassle-free parking, consider using the Norrie Trailhead located in the upper Frying Pan above Basalt. If you are traveling via Glenwood Springs and Carbondale, the drive time is a few minutes longer to the Norrie Trailhead than Lenado but the road to Norrie is paved, wider, and plowed more frequently. Note that the route from Norrie to Margy’s is about 1.3 miles longer than the Lenado approach and goes through primitive wilderness which is marked by tree blazes only. Bring a map, compass, and GPS device.

If you choose the Lenado Trailhead, carpooling is strongly suggested and extra vehicles can be parked overnight about 1/4 mile north of the Woody Creek Tavern at the Rio Grande Trail parking area. Be prepared to drive 1.5 hours to the Norrie trailhead if the public parking at Lenado is occupied when you arrive. Parking illegally may result in your vehicle being towed, booted or ticketed.

Lodging

Transportation

Route Description

From snow closure at the Norrie Trailhead ski up through aspen forests on the well-defined cut of the South Fork Road (FS road # 504). Stay on the road as it makes two switchbacks, then a 2 1/4 mile climbing traverse to intersect with an obvious spur that turns right (W) and leads 1/4 mile through conifer forest to Twin Meadows, a reclaimed gravel pit with two small lakes. Take the spur to Twin Meadows.

Stay to the north end of Twin Meadows, and ski around the north side of the north lake. Follow the west shore of the north lake, then enter the forest on the obscure summer trailcut for the Aspen/Norrie trail. There is a sign here but it may be covered by snow. Follow the Aspen/Norrie trail as it leads out of Twin Meadows on the north side of Deeds Creek, then crosses Deeds Creek and climbs into Foster Gulch. The trail parallels Foster Creek for 1/2 mile, then begins to turn W away from Foster Creek at 9,920 feet, and climbs W to 10,240 feet. From here you swing S then W to meadows at 10,400 feet. From the meadows a steep climb leads over a divide (11,057 feet) and into Sawmill Park. Enjoy the view of the Elk Mountains from Sawmill Park and ski down to the lower (west) end of the park. At the lower end of Sawmill Park (11,000 feet) find the Margy’s Hut trail which leaves from the north side of the park. It is easy to miss this fork. If you have trouble here, the trick is to identify Sawmill Park with adroit map reading, then stay on the north side of the park and ski to the west end where you search out the 10th Mountain junction markers on a couple of medium-sized evergreens. Your altimeter can really help here, and a GPS is highly recommended if you don’t know the trail.

Once you find the junction, leave Sawmill Park and follow the Margy’s Hut Trail W then SW as it makes a long 1 3/4-mile climbing traverse up to the hut. Margy’s Hut is usually visible several hundred yards before you reach it, but it may be hidden by snow on heavy snow years, with just the upper front windows visible.

Locations of Observed or Reported Avalanche Activity: Avalanche activity has been reported along this suggested route at locations indicated below. Elevations indicate approximate elevation where the slides crossed the trail, not the starting zones.

• Approx. 1.5 miles from Norrie along the road to Twin Meadows, steep hillside on skier’s right (8,760′). D2-3.

Avalanche size/destructive force is scaled according to the American Avalanche Association as follows:

• D1 – Relatively harmless to people
• D2 – Could bury or injure a person
• D3 – Could bury a car, damage a truck, destroy a wood frame house, or break a few trees
• D4 – Could destroy a railroad car, large truck, several buildings, or a substantial amount of forest
• D5 – Could gouge the landscape, largest snow avalanches known

Trailhead Directions

Parking

DO NOT block the private driveways.

Route Description

This seldom traveled route uses most of the same trail as the standard route from Norrie and has slightly less elevation gain and more miles.  Begin at the Granite Lakes Trailhead with skins and follow the marked trail that leads around the lake. Ski the trail SW another 500 feet to a foot bridge over a small creek (8,800 feet). Cross the creek, then swing W and climb 1/4 mile up a steep gulch to a flat area (9,010 feet). The South Fork of the Fryingpan River will be directly in front of you at the bottom of a shallow gulch. Turn left (S then SW) and follow a trail-cut that parallels the South Fork for just under 1/4 mile to cross the South Fork (no bridge) at 9,050 feet.

After crossing the South Fork, the trail winds W then SW for several hundred yards to a vague Y split. Here one trail continues up the South Fork of the Fryingpan, while the one you want climbs to the right (W) up a small hill, then winds 1/3 mile (light uphill) through conifer and aspen to a major road (9,150 feet). If you lose the trail here, just continue W and you’ll intersect the road. Once you’re on the road (road number 504.1), you simply follow snow-covered roads W for 3 1/4 miles to intersect the standard Norrie/Aspen trail at Twin Meadows.

Stay to the north end of Twin Meadows, and ski around the north side of the north lake. Follow the west shore of the north lake, then enter the forest on the obscure summer trailcut for the Aspen/Norrie trail. There is a sign here but it may be covered by snow. Follow the Aspen/Norrie trail as it leads out of Twin Meadows on the north side of Deeds Creek, then crosses Deeds Creek and climbs into Foster Gulch. The trail parallels Foster Creek for 1/2 mile, then begins to turn W away from Foster Creek at 9,920 feet, and climbs W to 10,240 feet. From here you swing S then W to meadows at 10,400 feet.

From the meadows a steep climb leads over a divide (11,057 feet) and into Sawmill Park. Enjoy the view of the Elk Mountains from Sawmill Park and ski down to the lower (west) end of the park. At the lower end of Sawmill Park (11,000 feet) find the Margy’s Hut trail which leaves from the north side of the park. It is easy to miss this fork. If you have trouble here, the trick is to identify Sawmill Park with adroit map reading, then stay on the north side of the park and ski to the west end where you search out the 10th Mountain junction markers on a couple of medium-sized evergreens. Your altimeter can really help here, and a GPS is highly recommended if you don’t know the trail.

Once you find the junction, leave Sawmill Park and follow the Margy’s Hut Trail W then SW as it makes a long 1 3/4-mile climbing traverse up to the hut. Margy’s Hut is usually visible several hundred yards before you reach it, but it may be hidden by snow on heavy snow years, with just the upper front windows visible.

SAFETY NOTES:
Skiers should note the length of the trail and plan accordingly.

Locations of Observed or Reported Avalanche Activity: Avalanche activity has been reported along this suggested route at locations indicated below. Elevations indicate approximate elevation where the slides crossed the trail, not the starting zones.

• Approx. 2.5 miles up from the trailhead along the Chapman Road, gully on skier’s left, (9,360′). D2-3.

Avalanche size/destructive force is scaled according to the American Avalanche Association as follows:

• D1 – Relatively harmless to people
• D2 – Could bury or injure a person
• D3 – Could bury a car, damage a truck, destroy a wood frame house, or break a few trees
• D4 – Could destroy a railroad car, large truck, several buildings, or a substantial amount of forest
• D5 – Could gouge the landscape, largest snow avalanches known

Trailhead Directions

Route Description

This route to Margy’s Hut is more remote and requires stronger navigation, trail-breaking, and winter travel skills than the standard winter route via Johnson Creek. Ski past trailhead signs near the road and continue up the Woody Creek drainage. Basically, the best route follows that of the summer pack trail which is indicated by its cut through the timber. Snow cover and low branches, however, may dictate custom route-finding. Using navigation tools such as map and GPS, spot Cliff Creek’s confluence with Woody Creek. Continue up Woody Creek, and at the next confluence, that of Spruce Creek and Woody Creek (9,440 feet), find the marked 10th Mountain trail junction on the north side of Woody Creek. From the junction ski N then NE up the well-defined and marked Spruce Creek Trail. You have a long pull ahead of you, as the trail follows the Spruce Creek drainage 3 1/4 miles and 1,560 vertical feet to 11,000 feet in the west end of Sawmill Park.

When you enter Sawmill Park, keep a sharp eye out for another trail fork to the left. Many parties miss this fork. If you have trouble, the trick is to identify Sawmill Park with adroit map reading and GPS use. Stay at the lower (west) end of the park and carefully search out the 10th Mountain junction markers on a couple of medium-sized evergreens (yes, the green trees). Your altimeter can really help here, as would a GPS unit. If you ski more than about 50 feet into Sawmill Park you are past the junction. From the junction follow the spur trail W then SW as it makes a long 1.4 mile climbing traverse up to the hut. The hut is usually visible several hundred yards before you reach it, but it may be hidden by snow on heavy snow years, with just the upper front windows showing.

Trailhead Directions

Parking

IMPORTANT! There is no designated exclusive 10th Mountain hut visitor parking at the Lenado trailhead. Public parking for a few vehicles – including hut visitors – is available on the left side of the road before the bridge and snowplow turnaround. Parking illegally may result in your vehicle being towed, booted or ticketed. If you prefer ample, hassle-free parking, consider using the Norrie Trailhead located in the upper Frying Pan above Basalt. If you are traveling via Glenwood Springs and Carbondale, the drive time is a few minutes longer to the Norrie Trailhead than Lenado but the road to Norrie is paved, wider, and plowed more frequently. Note that the route from Norrie to Margy’s is about 1.3 miles longer than the Lenado approach and goes through primitive wilderness which is marked by tree blazes only. Bring a map, compass, and GPS device.

If you choose the Lenado Trailhead, carpooling is strongly suggested and extra vehicles can be parked overnight about 1/4 mile north of the Woody Creek Tavern at the Rio Grande Trail parking area. Be prepared to drive 1.5 hours to the Norrie trailhead if the public parking at Lenado is occupied when you arrive. Parking illegally may result in your vehicle being towed, booted or ticketed.

Lodging

Transportation

Route Description

HUT TO HUT distances are usually longer than from trailhead to hut. Use winter specific topographic maps. Routes between huts are not often used so may not be tracked; navigation and breaking trail may be particularly challenging.

This suggested route between Margy’s and McNamara huts travels mostly through a dense conifer forest. From Margy’s Hut, ski northeast about 1 ½ miles to Sawmill Park at elevation 10,950. Follow the Spruce Creek drainage down about 1,560’ and about 3 ¼ miles to the junction of the Spruce Creek Trail and Woody Creek Trail at about 9,500’. Keep a careful eye out for this junction – use your map, altimeter and GPS. Travel up along Woody Creek about a mile to 9,900’ and look for a crossing across Woody Creek. Climb across the hillside through the forest and across an opening which is a significant boulder field (hope for good snow cover). To aid navigation across this opening, look for tree blazes on large evergreens. Continue to climb north to about 10,200 then look for the evident platform of an old road (pre-wilderness). At this point the McNamara Hut is about 2 miles away. The first mile is a gradual climb of about 400 feet and then it’s easy flats the rest of the way to the McNamara Hut.

Locations of Observed or Reported Avalanche Activity: No avalanche activity has been reported along this suggested route.

Lodging

Transportation

Route Description

At milepost 34.5 on Highway 82, about 7 miles from Aspen, turn N on Smith Way. Drive N .5 miles, crossing the Roaring Fork River and then to a 3-way intersection. Turn N (left) on to Upper River Road. At milepost 6.8 make a sharp right turn on to Woody Creek Road (CR 18) and drive approximately 8.4 miles to the start of Woody Creek Trail 1994 (located on the south side of Woody Creek, where the summer road crosses Woody Creek).

The hike starts by following the Woody Creek Trail 1994 up Woody Creek for about 1.5 miles, then crosses Spruce Creek near the junction of Spruce and Woody Creeks. After a short climb up some switchbacks, arrive at the trail junction with the Spruce Creek Trail 1927. Take Spruce Creek Trail 1927 for approximately 3 miles to Sawmill Park. Upon entering Sawmill Park, look for FS Trail 1927.2 which goes west (left) out of Sawmill Park. From the junction of Spruce Creek Trail and FS Trail 1927.2 it is approximately 1.4 miles to Margy’s Hut.

Parking

The former trailhead parking lot is no longer available.

Lodging

Transportation

Route Description

At milepost 34.5 on Highway 82, about 7 miles from Aspen, turn N on Smith Way. Drive N .5 miles, crossing the Roaring Fork River. At the 3-way intersection turn N (left) onto Upper River Road. At milepost 6.8 make a sharp right turn onto Woody Creek Road (CR 18) and drive approximately 8 miles to Lenado.

Continue past Lenado, and the Woody Creek Road (CR 18) turns left and becomes FS Road 103 (aka Larkspur Mountain Road). Continue on FS Road 103 for approximately 4.8 miles. Next, turn right to stay on FS Road 103 and continue for about 4 miles until you reach a 3-way intersection.

At the 3-way intersection veer right onto FS Road 526 and continue for about .75 miles until you take another right hand turn into the Margy’s Hut designated parking area. From the parking area, the walk to the hut is .25 miles.

Lodging

Transportation

Route Description

At milepost 28.0 on the Fryingpan Road (CR 4) at the sign for Norrie Colony, turn W. Drive .1 miles to cross a small bridge and then up a short hill. Bear left on Road 504 and continue for another 3.2 miles to Road 504.1D and a sign for the Aspen-Norrie and Sawyer Lake Trailheads. Turn right here and drive .1 mile to park and the beginning of the Aspen-Norrie Trail near the pond.

Follow the Aspen-Norrie Trail (1927) for 3.2 miles. The trail leads out of Twin Meadows on the north side of Deeds Creek, then crosses Deeds Creek and climbs into Foster Gulch, then parallels Foster Creek, then begins to turn W away from Foster Creek at 9,920 feet, and climbs W to 10,240 feet. From here you swing S then W to meadows at 10,400 feet. From the meadows, a steep climb leads over a divide at 11,057 feet, and into Sawmill Park. Enjoy the view of the Elk Mountains from Sawmill Park and continue your hike down to the lower (west) end of the park.

At the lower end of Sawmill Park (11,000 feet) find the Margy’s Hut Trail (1927.2) which leaves from the north side of the park. Once you find the junction, which can be easy to miss, leave Sawmill Park and follow the Margy’s Hut Trail (1927.2) W then SW as it makes a 1.4 mile climbing traverse up to the hut. Margy’s is usually visible several hundred yards before you reach the hut.

Lodging

Transportation