This is a good moderate hike or backpack through wooded areas, with plenty of places to camp. This trail is not as heavily used as some of the other trails within the Aspen Ranger District. Horseback travel is difficult for the first 1-1/2 miles along Woody Creek through the rocky areas. Follow the Woody Creek Trail for 1-3/4 miles to the fork with Spruce Creek Trail, just past the Spruce Creek crossing, take the left fork (the right fork continues on the Woody Creek Trail). In approximately 1/4 mile the trail crosses the creek and remains on the west side of the creek until reaching Sawmill Park. The trail disappears in the meadow at Sawmill Park. From here there are two options. Halfway through the park on the left is an old road that leads from the edge of the meadow, through a spruce/fir forest and in approximately another mile reaches the top of Mt. Yeckel. The other option is to pick up the trail on the upper end of Sawmill Park and continue down Foster Gulch another 2 miles to Twin Meadows.

Directions: From Aspen, Drive approximately 7 miles west of Aspen on Highway 82 to the Woody Creek turnoff (about 1 mile past the Brush Creek Road turnoff to Snowmass Village). Turn right following the road downhill, after crossing the bridge, bear left and continue 2 miles to the town of Woody Creek. Just past the town, take a sharp right onto Road #103. Continue on this road 8-1/2 miles to the town of Lenado. Approximately 3/4 mile past Lenado, the road makes a sharp left turn and crosses Woody Creek. The Woody Creek Trailhead lies on the right side of the road, just before the bridge. The Spruce Creek Trailhead starts from the Woody Creek Trail.

Elevation: 8,690 feet

Elevation Gain: 2,367 feet

Distance: 8 miles

Usage: Moderate

Difficulty: Moderate

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