Vehicles may no longer park along Woody Creek Road between Lenado and the Woody Creek Bridge pursuant to a Pitkin County District Court judge order effective this week. The road has long accommodated backcountry skiers and snowmobilers heading to Kobey Park and a Tenth Mountain hut.
Pitkin County maintained public parking along one side of the road for those accessing the National Forest as a safety measure to keep vehicles from parking haphazardly and potentially blocking emergency vehicles.
Two Lenado homeowners filed the lawsuit against the county nearly 10 years ago claiming the parking resulted in trespassing, unfairly burdened and devalued their property.
“The court ruling means that the County is no longer able to provide a parking and recreational staging area at the location of prior public parking,” said Public Works Director Brian Pettet whose Road and Bridge crews have maintained the road and parking in the area for decades.
From now on the closest parking for backcountry enthusiasts and private snowmobilers heading into Kobey park and other backcountry areas above Lenado will be at the intersection of Upper River Road and Woody Creek Road. Recreationalists should plan to shuttle snowmobiles to the end of Woody Creek Road to access Kobey Park. Tenth Mountain Hut users may park in a small parking lot that can accommodate several cars at the trailhead and should contact Tenth Mountain Hut Association with any questions.
Contact: Brian Pettet, Director of Public Works - 379-3703