Then read our blog for 12 fun holiday mindfulness activities you can do with your kids! Parking is available, but limited, from the center. The Four Pass Loop Final Verdict. It’s only $6 per day there and you can hop on the free public Aspen bus to get to Aspen Highland where you will have to pay $8 per adult and $6 per child for a round trip bus ticket to the trailhead. Parking & Shuttle reservations are required June-October. Get more information about Maroon Bells and the Aspen-Sopris Ranger District. The four passes in clockwise order are West Maroon Pass, Frigid Air Pass, Trail Rider Pass, and Buckskin Pass. Day use parking with these parking passes is approximately 200 yards from the amphitheater, and there is also accessible parking 50 yards away from the site. Open up Maps and input Aspen Highland. We again rested for ten minutes while taking in the views of the two lakes on each side of the pass. The bus drops off in the Maroon Lake parking area so either way, this is where the adventure begins. The Maroon Bells are two of the most photographed mountains in all of North America — and for good reason. It’s cruel torture, but oh so worth every grueling step. Each pass is over 12,000 feet high and for three of them, you must gain and then lose 3,000 feet to get over them. Click here to join Fit To Hike and get ready to tackle bigger adventures this year. We found a hotel room with free summer parking in Snowmass Village. Camping is not allowed within 1/4 mile of Crater Lake or Snowmass Lake except for designated campsites. West Maroon Pass on the Four Pass Loop Trail. Like I said, we wanted to cover more ground, which I’m glad we did because there isn’t as huge of a wow factor between Crater Lake and the first pass. Copyright 2012 - 2019 Avada | All Rights Reserved | Powered by, South Dakota Residency For Full Time RVers, Sacral Chakra Healing: 10 Ways to Balance Svadhisthana, Overview Of Backpacking The Maroon Bells Four Pass Loop, Getting a Permit to Backpack Maroon Bells Four Pass Loop. From here … From where we slept the first night to the top of the pass was about 2.5 miles and took exactly 2 hours. About an hour past Crater Lake you will reach the first creek crossing at 3.5 miles. Hike wildflower terrain from Crested Butte all the way to the iconic Maroon Bells in Aspen via West Maroon Pass.This complete one-day epic hiking trail from Crested Butte to Aspen traverses through stunning alpine scenery of snow-capped peaks, lush forests, and beauty-filled meadows of native wildflowers. Learn how your comment data is processed. Let us share what the locals know. Considering how many photos of Maroon Bells are in every "This is Colorado" picture, I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to take my own amazing photos. Considering how many photos of Maroon Bells are in every "This is Colorado" picture, I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to take my own amazing photos. Please call prior to arriving at Maroon Creek Road so you know the best way to proceed to visit this special place. While the lake is exceptional, the hike itself is equally compelling. Plus, it’s a solid climb the whole way up to the first pass and it was nice to get most of the ascent done with that first night. It was 6 miles to go from the Snowmass Lake to the first campsite on the other side of Buckskin pass and it took us three hours. The descent to Fravert Basin campsite is 4 miles and took us exactly 2 hours. Related: 7 Epic Things to do in Crested Butte, 8:15-10:00 amWest Maroon Pass to Frigid Air Pass: 2.4 miles, 800 feet elevation loss, 700 feet elevation gain. The journey follows the Maroon-Snowmass trail to Crater Lake and then climbs the long, narrow West Maroon valley beneath the towering crags of the Maroon Bells and Pyramid massifs. There was rain in the forecast for the next day and we didn’t like the idea of crossing the last pass in possible lightning storms so we decided to push on and hoped we could make it over the last pass and find a campsite before it was dark. This blog was updated in July 2020 for accuracy and updated info. Private vehicles can drive up to … After that, you will start a steady ascent up through willow trees and shrubbery, then finally you get to a patch of pine trees that have some nice campsites. Here are some helpful tips to know before your visit: Should you plan to visit the Maroon Bells scenic area outside of shuttle operation times, you can reserve a parking space for vehicles up to 20 feet for $10. 1:50-2:152nd Trail Junction to Lead King Basin: .5 miles, 200 feet elevation gain. Each pass is over 12,000 feet high and for three of them, you must gain and then lose 3,000 feet to get over them. Hiking Four Pass Loop from August 22-August 24, 2019 in a clockwise direction. The nice thing about parking up at the trailhead is that when you finish, you can jump right in your car and be on your way instead of it taking a few hours for all the different busses when we finished Tuesday morning. 8:00-8:30Treeline (first campsites) to Trailhead: 3.8 miles, 2200 feet elevation loss. Here’s our itinerary of how long it took us to hike each section an where we camped. According to Aspen-Snowmass, the Maroon Bells bus departs from the Aspen Highlands Visitor Center. The Maroon Bells reflect majestically on the waters of Maroon Lake. Both these buses were very short rides (5 min each). It’s also important to note that there is more than one bus running on Highway 82 that can get you to and from the roundabout besides the BRT. It was a pleasant spot to pick but if I had known there were campsites closer to the first pass, I would’ve pushed on and slept as close to the pass as I could. Hey! This iconic Colorado mountain run just outside of Aspen navigates four mountain passes above 12,000’ and has close to 8000’ of climbing over a 27-mile stretch of trail. We did also include distances, elevation gain, and other recommended camping spots because while we had an epic time, hiking all 4 passes in 1 day is hard. It is doable though, especially if you don’t intend on hiking very far the fist day. This 26 mile (42 km) circuit climbs over four mountain passes higher than 12,000ft, past clear alpine lakes and among the rugged Elk Range peaks. Basically this hike takes you through four valleys and to get from one valley to the next you need to go over the lowest point of the surrounding mountain ranges, or the “pass”. I found it easy to arrange a 2-hour parking pass online. It leaves every 20 minutes on the hour. Maroon Bells-Snowmass … These stunning, wine-colored peaks are our number one summer destination. She is passionate about nutrition, wellness, fitness, yoga, mindset, mindfulness, surfing, climbing, MTB, homeschooling, & raising capable and strong kids. 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This long but moderate trail follows East Maroon Creek to its origin just below the pass, and continues down the west side into Copper Basin and on to Gothic near Crested Butte.. Over the course of that hour, after you pass designated campsites at Crater Lake, you’ll hike past all the rock scree at the base of the Maroon Bells. ABOUT THE AUTHORS Robyn and 19 year old daughter, Gabi are the authors and creators behind nomadswithapurpose.com. Related: How to Use Your Smartphone as a GPS. Return trips, no specific reservation or time slot is required, just a pass. In addition, campfires are not permitted within 1/4 mile of Crater Lake or Snowmass Lake. Be aware of avalanche risks. The trail is very well marked so you don’t need to worry too much about navigation. There was one creek crossing early on where we refilled all our water bottles and that lasted us until the creek by Fravert Basin at about noon that day. From meadows of vibrant wildflowers to airy groves of Aspen trees to summit-based alpine tundra, the Maroon Bells promise a variety of natural habitats and a diverse, vivid representation of the wild Elk Mountain range. Bear canisters are required for all backpackers. Parking & Shuttle reservations are required June-October. Travel by bus, by car or by bike to the Maroon Bells with ease using these tips. Join her Project Life course where she gives you the tools needed to live a happier and healthier life. With six scenic hiking trails, various camping sites and biking paths, visitors can enjoy multiple ways to access Aspen’s natural marvels and endless mountain adventure any time of year. Explore Aspen’s Maroon Bells, the most photographed mountains in North America, and discover how a journey through over 300 million years of jagged stone inspires travelers from around the world to Defy Ordinary. With consistent water access, designated campsites, and clear trail signage, it is a good hike to foray into high alpine hiking. Lance Armstrong (5:40). Trail Map | Photo Gallery. We found a hotel room with free summer parking in Snowmass Village. The trail descends quickly down switchbacks into a steep gulch. I found it easy to arrange a 2-hour parking pass online. The famous Four Pass Loop backpacking route within Maroon Bells – Snowmass Wilderness is an international treasure. There were many designated campsites right by the lake (and almost all were open on a Sunday night). No offense to West Maroon Pass but I liked that side a lot more. Maroon Bells Hotline, 970-945-3319, is updated by Forest Service staff to provide information about the status of the scenic area and parking. Aquarius: What will your Ascension look like they will arrive less crowded weekday stint. 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