Spraddle Creek Trailhead
ELEVATION: 8,480 feet
HUTSKI.COM FREE MAP: Eiseman Hut
USGS 7.5 min. map: Vail West
10th Mountain Huts map: Gore Range
GPS (lower parking area): 381938, 4389248 (see below for more GPS info)
Hut accessed: Eiseman Hut
Drive Interstate Highway 70 to the Vail Resort. Take the main Vail exit (#176). Depending on which direction you're coming from and thus which exit ramp you take, you'll end up at at a roundabout on either the north or south side of the highway. The one you want is on the north side (away from Vail). Once in the correct roundabout, exit the roundabout on the well signed Spraddle Creek Road which leaves easterly from the roundabout. As of 2009 the configuration of these roundabouts is obvious on Google Maps, see map below.
A short distance up the Spraddle Creek Road look for an obvious parking area to the left. During times of heavy use, this is frequently where you'll need to park, though it's worth exploring parking options farther up the road (4x4 required during winter, or during summer to continue up jeep trail past first 2x2 section of road). Note, if you park at the lower parking area you'll need to walk up the road, the foot trail leaving from the parking area is NOT your travel route to the Eiseman Hut via Spraddle Creek.
Continue by foot or automobile up the steep paved road .7 miles to the Spraddle Creek Estates entrance gate. Leave the pavement here by taking a hard right on the Spraddle Creek dirt road (may have a sign, but don't count on it), and continue .1 mile to parking at a group of older buildings that as of 2009 was being used as stables.
With light snowcover and 4-wheel-drive you may be able to use another small parking at a switchback turn .2 mile farther up the steep and sometimes icy or muddy road past the stables. In winter, do not attempt to drive past this point, as the road becomes a narrow rough 4x4 trail with only a few turnarounds.
There is no parking at the Spraddle Creek Estates entrance gate.
Parking for Spraddle Creek Trailhead may be difficult because of the popularity of this area. Carpool if possible. Free overnight parking is available at Red Sandstone Park, 1 mile west of the main Vail exit (#176) at the intersection of Red Sandstone Creek Road and the frontage road. Free bus service is available along the frontage road.
GPS Coords (WGS84), field checked 2009:
Lower parking:
- 39.64488, 106.37598
- 39 degrees 38,692', 106 degrees 22.560'
Stables:
- 39.64421, 106.36755
- 39 degrees 38.652', 106 degrees 22.053'
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