Woods Lake approach or Navajo Lake approach?

[Wish I lived in CO]

Am planning for Wilson Peak this summer. Would like to camp overnight at Navajo Lake. However I can't decide between the Woods Lake or Navajo Lake approach. Both seem to be comparable in distance and elevation gain. The descriptions seem to slant toward the Woods lake approach being more scenic, but the Navajo lake description pictures look nice too. Also, how much farther / more driving is the Woods Lake TH? - I'd be coming from Arizona going thru Cortez.

Any thoughts? Thx. in advance.

[Wentzl]

Drive time difference between Navajo Lake approach vs. Woods Lake is about 40 minutes. 35 miles on the highway over Lizard Head, past T-Ride then down past Sawpit. Then about 10 miles to trailhead, 4 miles paved, 6 or so dirt. A I recall, once you leave the highway, Woods Lake is a shorter and easier drive than Kilpacker Basin. If no 4wd then I would suggest Woods Lake.

Scenery about the same for both, but Woods Lake approach has a dramatic view of El D and Mt Wilson from several hundred feet above Navajo lake that makes it the better bet based of scenery alone.

You get that same view if you use Elk Creek trail from the Silver Pick trailhead. I believe the distance is comparable, or shorter and there is less elevation. No one ever talks about this as an approach to Navajo Lake, but it is pretty nice. Consider it a nice local tip, but do your research.

I have posted a trip report on hiking El D from Woods lake which you can find if you search my trip reports which might help you decide. There is also one in there about the Elk Creek hike.

[Matt]

Wow. It's been a long time since this question came up. I don't think the debates of years gone by have survived the Great Purges of Content.
Having done both, I preferred Woods Lake.
The view Wentzl references is striking and the trail just felt more enjoyable overall. Expect bugs in the lower portions.
A bonus? You can grab UN13123 (now called "Woods Peak") along the way. It's not too much of a detour, but I'll admit to doing it on a lazy dayhike one Fall day, not while carrying a pack.

[Brad2]

Woods Lake is a shorter and easier drive than Kilpacker Basin. If no 4wd then I would suggest Woods Lake.

Just a minor correction here: getting from Highway 145 to the Kilpacker or Navajo Lake Trailhead is quite easy even with a 2wd, and is currently dry. Otherwise, carry on.

[Wish I lived in CO]

I'm excited for the trip either way. I'm sold on the Woods lake approach being more scenic, however depending on when I can get there the extra 45 minutes of drive time may dictate Navajo Lake. We'll see........ Thanks!