7.3
8,440'
3,147'
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.
Avalanche size/destructive force is scaled according to the American Avalanche Association as follows:
From the 4-way stop sign in Basalt at Two Rivers Road and the Fryingpan River Road, follow the Fryingpan River Road approximately 27.5 miles to the sign that says Norrie Colony. Turn right (west), travel across the bridge, then up a short hill and beyond the private driveways to the designated, signed, 10th Mountain parking area. The suggested route to Twin Meadows follows the summer road platform uphill of the parking area.
DO NOT block the private driveways.