Snowmobile parking off limits in Lenado area

Snowmobile and baccountry skiing enthusiasts heading for the Lenado area this weekend take note: The parking situation has changed, according to a Pitkin County news release.

A district court judge ruled last week that a parking area the county has long maintained along Woody Creek Road between Lenado and the Woody Creek Bridge is now off-limits, the release states. The spot provided access to Kobey Park and a 10th Mountain hut.

The ruling came as the result of a lawsuit filed against the county 10 years ago by two Lenado-area homeowners, who claimed the National Forest access led to trespassing and devaluation of their property, according to the release.

“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 Brian Pettet, the county’s public works director.

Snowmobilers heading for Kobey Park must now shuttle snowmobiles to the end of Woody Creek Road and park at the intersection of Upper River Road and Woody Creek Road, the release states. Tenth Mountain hut users can park at a small parking lot at the trailhead.