Trail Overview
This route is generally one vehicle wide, with occasional areas where travelers can pull over to allow another vehicle to pass. It travels through a mix of dense evergreen forest and open high-elevation meadows. Thick stands of spruce and fir line much of the route before the landscape periodically opens to broad grassy areas with impressive views across the surrounding forested slopes and distant Colorado mountains. Along the way, the route also passes the drive leading to Mary’s Hut, part of the 10th Mountain Division Hut System, adding another point of interest to the trip. The route gradually transitions between enclosed forest and more exposed mountainside terrain, providing changing views throughout the drive. Motorized travel is seasonally restricted to protect wildlife and is legally permitted only from June 21 through November 22 each year.
History
The mountains northeast of Aspen have a long history of mining, ranching, logging, and backcountry travel. Lenado developed as a small mining settlement during the late 1800s and was historically known as Woody Creek. Mining activity occurred throughout the surrounding mountains, while timber from the area was also used to support Aspen’s growing mining industry. Many of the roads and routes crossing these mountains originated as access routes for mines, timber operations, ranches, and remote settlements before becoming today’s forest-road network.
