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