save hide report. The hike starts at 9,580-feet at the Maroon Lake trailhead, and climbs 3,000 feet over 6.5 miles to West Maroon Pass before descending another 4.5 to Schofield Pass. Awaiting Flair. Skirting Crater Lake—and 11 designated campsites—the trail settles into a lush valley sandwiched between 13,000-foot Len Shoemaker Ridge and the 14,000-foot Maroon Peaks. The famous Four Pass Loop backpacking route within Maroon Bells – Snowmass Wilderness is an international treasure. There are trash cans and vault toilets, but no potable water. Continue on the main trail, bypassing the spur trails toward Campsites 10 and 11. If you’re extending your trip beyond four days, this is a good first campsite, although bears have been known to frequent the area. This trail goes by Maroon Lake, Beaver Dam, bridge and rapids, Crater Lake, and West Maroon Pass. Just when you start catching your breath, you’ll be climbing again. This is also where we had our encounter with the porcupines. �q#���|��g�:_4� Reference the U.S. Forest Service websites linked here to reserve a spot at any one of these three campgrounds. $10.00 a night. Camp out for the night, and enjoy the close access to town, while still being in the middle of the Rockies. ©Annie Whetzel. ), hiking West Maroon…” �.t����|�)(�6t�P�YV������u��m��f�|Kթ+-PSn}���S��yGh��A!�1�Q���y�ߦ�XW��>73/m�R�~���e.��gˇ�$'X��M��7d�n^�X����:|0�Qc�.иEc ��{t`9?�${MðU�AS������l����� Local transportation providers offer shuttle services to the trailhead. Location: 39.0439861, -107.0301819. 0000001777 00000 n It is best to camp before West Maroon Pass or after Frigid Air Pass. Follow alpine streams through verdant valleys on this overnight trek from Crested Butte to the base of West Maroon Pass and Hasley Basin in Colorado's fourth largest wilderness area. The trail from CB to the West Maroon Pass is only 4.5 miles and is a gradual climb with few rocks on the trail. The West Maroon Pass trail – along with many other Maroon Bells hiking trails – starts at Maroon Lake, at the end of Maroon Creek Road in the Maroon Bells Scenic Area, just outside of Aspen. Originally published on October 28th 2013. In mid July, the Lupine were blooming on this perfect Colorado morning. NAME NEWEST. View entire discussion ( 0 comments) More posts from the CampingandHiking community. Trailsigns point to the West Maroon Trail No. Posted in: Camping, Hiking and Backpacking Filed under: Four Pass Loop, Fravert Basin Trail, Frigid Air Pass, Trail Rider Pass, Trails in Colorado, West Maroon Pass, West Maroon Trail 3 Days 2 Nights – Four Pass Loop Backpacking trip in Colorado (Day 1) This is a difficult one way trail to West Maroon Trailhead in White River National Forest. Hier lernst du die markanten Informationen und unser Team hat alle Maroon nike backpack angeschaut. 0000024423 00000 n Trail Map | Photo Gallery. These campsites are extremely popular and will book up many months in advance. It offers magnificent views of the Maroon Bells/Snowmass Wilderness area and vast fields of wildflowers. Picture. If you are doing the Four Pass Loop it is best to camp before West Maroon Pass or after Frigid Air Pass. 54 0 obj<>stream West Maroon Pass is known for some of the most breathtaking and colorful wildflowers in the area, especially from mid-July into August. Those camping in developed sites in the Maroon Valley must purchase a 5 day vehicle pass ($5 for camping) to drive to their designated campground at the Welcome Station across from the Silver Bar Campground. 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. Wilderness camping in the White River National Forest is free but expect to pay a per-car fee to drive to the trailhead, or a per-person fee for the shuttle bus. West Maroon Pass Four Pass Loop in Colorado #hiking #camping #outdoors #nature #travel #backpacking #adventure #marmot #outdoor #mountains #photography. 1.5k. save hide report. Alpine meadows and flowers give way to red-tinted rocks for the final few hundred feet of climbing. Make a right at a signed T-intersection headed for Buckskin Pass (Buckskin Pass Trail). 2.5k. 0000022122 00000 n Heavy understory thins near treeline where a mind-boggling array of wildflowers await: Indian Paintbrushes, Colorado Columbine, Geyer Larkspur, and dozens of other species bloom throughout late summer. no comments yet. Follow signs for the Crater Lake Trail as you head west through the parking area and along the shores of Maroon Lake. There are magnificent campsites in the trees below treeline in the valley behind Fridged Air Pass. Tag Archives: West Maroon Pass. With proper planning it is possible to cross West Maroon Pass on a day hike and end up at the East Fork trailhead in Schofield Park, 14 miles from Crested Butte. West Maroon Trail, Aspen Picture: West Maroon Pass coming from Crested Butte - Check out Tripadvisor members' 7,379 candid photos and videos. 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. 0000001220 00000 n There is fierce competition for the finest scenery on this challenging trek to Snowmass Lake: alpine lakes, rocky chasms, and 14,000-foot peaks. Campsites for backpackers can be found in the woods between the two river crossings described in the West Maroon Pass trail guide. Experience the beauty of Colorado with a day trek from Crested Butte to Aspen. c�r\�`�����P4���[�+L�P���vU����{��0�@>/��+ -�J`r���L�%f���pq�s�������ýK혹C�1Ԩ���˶B�IG��p� �(N 0000032716 00000 n 0 comments. In its last two miles, the trail gains over 1,000 feet, dipping into a valley saddle at mile 5.5 before the final push up rocky slopes to the 12,480-foot pass. A hill on the right side of the trail and thick shrubbery obscure North and South Maroon Peak. A rock outcropping on the trail overlooks West Maroon Creek and the valley. Anyone who is interested in visiting West Maroon Pass can print the free topographic map and street map using the link above. Approaching treeline, wildflower-filled fields are a sharp contrast to the rocky peaks. Difficult Campground has 47 sites and is only 5 miles from Aspen. The elevation is now 11,000 feet. Start off with the route description from the West Maroon Pass hike.. Campsite. The overlook just beyond our 1st night’s campsite on the Four Pass Loop. Follow Fantastic Trails: 5 Epic Hikes in America’s Southwest. 0000023798 00000 n Filter. The result is the Four Pass Loop, which connects West Maroon Pass (12,500 feet), Frigid Air Pass (12,415 feet), Trail Rider Pass (12,420 feet) and Buckskin Pass (12,500 feet) around the maroon … The famous Four Pass Loop backpacking route within Maroon Bells – Snowmass Wilderness is an international treasure. Near the end of this 0.3-mile section of trail, get your first glimpse of Crater Lake's muddy waters to the left. In addition to toilets and water at the trailhead, there are three parking lots and a shuttle bus to reduce traffic during the summer. Jun 21, 2018 - After hiking nearly 10 miles up to West Maroon Pass so I could gain a vew of Maroon Peak, one of Colorado's 14ers, I stopped on the way back to camp to photograph this Colorado wildflower image and the end of Gothic Road. West Maroon Pass is displayed on the Maroon Bells USGS quad topo map. We got to see a spectacular sunset over West Maroon Pass from camp on our last night of the 4 pass loop. Four Pass Loop sits west of the Bells, which is another renowned three- to four-day overnight route over Buckskin Pass. West Maroon Trail: West Maroon Pass - See 60 traveler reviews, 41 candid photos, and great deals for Aspen, CO, at Tripadvisor. West Maroon Pass Site. Try to get here before noon to enjoy lunch with a view, and to avoid afternoon thunderstorms. Descend a small hill for another stream crossing, which is easy to hop across. Crested Butte, CO: West Maroon Pass. Finally the trail will start to veer to the right (west) as you find yourself at the bottom of a high alpine cirque. Crater Lake. 0000001714 00000 n Overnight hikers are required to fill out the free registration tag and detail their plans. © 2020 Pocket Outdoor Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. Sort by. The Silver Bell Campground offers 14 campsites that must be booked in advance. The following campgrounds are located on the west (Aspen side) side of the pass. 0000019107 00000 n 0000032133 00000 n 0 Star This. Hike this gentle, 6.1-mile out-and-back in midsummer when an explosion of wildflowers dominates the climb to this grassy pass in the Indian Peaks. 0000015396 00000 n Meanwhile, the smaller, more primitive Silver Bar Campground near the entrance station offers four walk-in campsites. The trail is easy to follow and open as it traverses several rock slides. The Eagles Nest Wilderness doesn’t attract regular Colorado crowds—unless you count the mountain goats. startxref View entire discussion ( 0 comments) More posts from the CampingGear community. 0000006666 00000 n 0000001359 00000 n The trail from CB to the West Maroon Pass is only 4.5 miles and is a gradual climb with few rocks on the trail. 0000007133 00000 n West Maroon Pass, the popular hiking route to Crested Butte, is accessed via the south and east sides of the Bells. You'll cross several easy streams before reaching this more substantial crossing at mile 3.5. Follow Fantastic Trails: 5 Epic Hikes in America’s Southwest. The lush understory clears as the trail winds atop a rockfall and scree field. Join. Several user-created trails merge on the opposite side of this 10-foot stream crossing. Cottonwood Pass connects Buena Vista with Almont on the other side of the Divide. Trip through kaleidoscopic color amid high-alpine splendor. From here the trail gets steeper as you get closer to the pass. ALERT: Bear canisters are required for all backpackers in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. 0000001672 00000 n Skirting the lake's northern shore, you'll pass several campsite spur-trails. ��^�8�̈́�0�k�!o%�v�x�g�g&%$f�l�C��N�j��+Nnnn�5���#��JJH�M"'9�)���i�sd��锔�XYBJ~Fb�,&..>N�,"&%>Y擔�����#��9;::M#?΋�R�lȒ�Ťe�e�� Rb2�v��(���i�A��"yf�{�_❙���ꛝ�a������ܔ����R�,���"��0����i�����3g�w�=� EM���(*���)kj9ByS�)j"�����Pʗr�&Qa�5�ZB�S.� NP��-A}DM��PK�@j5�ZFQ���I-�E (CjeD���PƔ �Pb���L)3j,eN�S�%5��A�Rz����;�[0Y�B�j�Ɉ�#΍������^�H&���n�,]B_bl�$�� d?a+F:�\>r��֑�������K��?J6�Q� � | � ԆΆI�e�-�m��,��y-3:i�>:}��1ac>�gf���_&cL6�|g�b�UF|R��RA�Jԩ��P*���H�� J�;� Take County Road 306 west from BV to pass. 0000029184 00000 n The wide, shallow basin high above the Crystal River has snow most of the year. 0 comments. It’s next to downtown Aspen and probably the most photographed scene in Colorado. Photos and Story By Laurel Miller. This moderate 12.7-mile out-and-back climbs a glacial valley under America's most photographed peaks, where sweeping views from 12,480-foot West Maroon Pass are more than picturesque. Turn right at this junction near mile 4.2 and continue another mile to a backcountry camping area below West Maroon Pass. At 28 miles in length, this loop is typically hiked over the course of 3 to 5 days depending on your fitness level. Sort by . During peak summer hours, a bus shuttles visitors to the trailhead near Maroon Lake, a popular destination for families, fishermen and photographers. 0000017331 00000 n Then shift into low gear as your lungs and quads power you up West Maroon Pass (12,500 feet), far above the tree line. There are far fewer people on this hike as compared to West Maroon! trailer West Maroon Pass (12,480 ft) and Fridged Air Pass (12,415) are your objectives. The rocky trail narrows and the climb intensifies near the summit. The Lake Maroon Camping Ground is located 20kms south of Boonah, and is situated in the heart of the Great South East Scenic Rim and is located right on the Maroon Dam. The first 1.8 miles to Crater Lake climbs through giant aspen groves. %PDF-1.5 %���� no comments yet. This stunning pass is the most commonly used route for thru-hikers between Aspen and Crested Butte, and the first encountered when traveling clockwise on the 4-Pass Loop.. x�uWy\�֞23"��h�*(����;A\Yd+�w�WkJ� �"���Aq+���%`�b��{Ϥo��� �ޯ|�䗙��{��Pz#(�@��������g�[ West Maroon Trail, Aspen Picture: West Maroon Pass coming from Crested Butte - Check out Tripadvisor members' 7,379 candid photos and videos of West Maroon Trail West Maroon Pass to Trail Rider Pass. There are no designated campsites above Crater Lake, but using established sites helps reduce the impact of overnight visitors. Camping spots are very difficult to find between the two passes. Campsite 6 is a favorite, but try to steer clear of Campsite 3, you may find a hornet's nest. 0000014212 00000 n This is one of the only sections of trail where the peaks are out of sight. The Maroon Bells are a twin set of 14ers that mirror off Maroon Lake. Snowfield. Log in or sign up to leave a comment log in sign up. 0000000976 00000 n Reservations accepted by number above. Within minutes of setting off from the Maroon Bells trailhead, you will be treated to sublime views of gorgeous Maroon Lake. For more information on camping, download this PDF. Why Hike West Maroon Pass from Crested Butte. Beginning at the shores of Maroon Lake, this 12.7-mile out-and-back is a difficult day hike or a moderate overnight trip among some of North America's most photographed peaks. 0000001807 00000 n Great experience! Turn left at this trail junction to follow the West Maroon Trail #1970. Posted in: Camping, Hiking and Backpacking Filed under: Four Pass Loop, Fravert Basin Trail, Frigid Air Pass, Trail Rider Pass, Trails in Colorado, West Maroon Pass, West Maroon Trail 3 Days 2 Nights – Four Pass Loop Backpacking trip in Colorado (Day 1) Location: 39.0414863, -107.0157838. As it follows West Maroon Creek, the trail crosses its path several times—consider bringing trekking poles, especially in early spring when snowmelt can make crossings treacherous. The trail ends at Schodfield Park, 14 miles from Crested Butte. The Silver Queen Campground is smaller with six campsites. WMP007. Aspen Tourism; Aspen Hotels; Aspen Bed and Breakfast; Aspen Vacation Rentals; Aspen Vacation Packages; Flights to Aspen; Aspen Restaurants; Things to Do in Aspen 0000024052 00000 n 0000027584 00000 n 1. share. WMP007. Continue up the valley ascending a gradual incline until the next signed junction for Frigid Air Pass . The loop extends for a total of 27 miles and includes more than 8,000 feet of elevation gain. The payoffs at the top are huge, but tricky, technical scrambles and advanced route finding make these photogenic peaks in the Elk Range anything but easy. Location: 39.08429, -106.969894 Learn more about Cottonwood Pass. 0000026067 00000 n Independence Pass Camping Five campgrounds along Colorado Hwy 82 via Independence Pass offer numerous sites. Created Mar 22, 2012. Originally published on October 28th 2013. Drape that route over four passes, which expose views of the Bells that make the all the effort worthwhile. Camping is very difficult in the Purity Basin between the two passes. What Makes It Great Bild von West Maroon Trail, Aspen: Top of pass is windy on the CB side - Schauen Sie sich 7.254 authentische Fotos und Videos von West Maroon Trail an, die … 0000007671 00000 n 55 Likes, 0 Comments - Lauren B (@ellraye) on Instagram: “Summer break comes to an epic end with a sunrise over the Maroon Bells (!!! #2 Prescott National Forest Prescott National Forest located in the middle of Arizona, has topography and weather that is a blend of the northern Arizona ponderosa pines of Flagstaff, Red Rock Country of Sedona, and the desert valley of Phoenix and the surrounding areas. 0000015090 00000 n Between these two passes, you never drop below treeline and camping can be a bit tricky. Online. Maroon nike backpack - Nehmen Sie dem Favoriten unserer Tester. All Boat Launches Camping. Be the first to share what you think! Northern views of Crater Lake are a little distracting, but the well-trod trail is easy to follow. Hiking from Crested Butte to Aspen is easier than Aspen to CB. After climbing several pine-shaded switchbacks, the trail opens up and winds through lichen-covered piles of angular rock. Stop to dry your feet and have a snack on the streams open eastern side. Trip Report about Mountain Biking between Aspen and Crested Butte. The trail (#1970) begins at approx 10,400 feet. best. You’ll love this Rockies classic. Another few hours of hiking will bring you to the base of the first pass: West Maroon Pass (12,480 ft.). East Maroon and more popular. 0000001300 00000 n 519. West Maroon Pass (Crested Butte to Aspen) – Moderate – 24 miles RT Access: Drive from Crested Butte to Schofield Pass and into Schofield Park (about 13 miles). East Maroon Pass - 19.4 Miles Round-Trip East Maroon Pass is located 9.7 miles from East Maroon Portal in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. The climb intensifies as the vegetation and air thins near the pass. There is one campground near Buena Vista and the rest are on the west side near Taylor Park Reservoir. Four Pass Loop is a 28 mile round trip in Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness that covers West Maroon Pass, Frigid Air Pass, Trail Rider Pass, & Buckskin Pass. During the trek you hike over four high elevation mountain passes, reach a peak altitude of ~12,500 feet, and climb nearly 9,000 feet of elevation. Basin between the two passes, you never drop below treeline and west maroon pass camping. So it made for a photo-op by the water before noon to enjoy lunch with a view, if wind. Night of the Divide is accessed via the south and East sides of the Pass... Skirts Crater Lake are a little distracting, but the view at top... Camping, download this PDF depending on your fitness level Eigenarten und geben jedem Testobjekt zum Schluss eine abschließende.. The campsite below West Maroon Pass is easy to follow Five campgrounds along Maroon Creek.. 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Trails toward campsites 10 and 11 while still being in the valley behind Air. The White River National Forest near Aspen, Colorado and pristine alpine lakes on this as. Located in the Maroon Bells – Snowmass Wilderness is one Campground near Vista! Colorado 's most-photographed peaks make this 26.5-mile backpack a rocky Mountain getaway Elk Sawatch. Four 12,000-foot passes, you never drop below treeline in the Maroon Lake is located in the Southwest! Crater Lake—and 11 designated campsites—the trail settles into a lush valley sandwiched between 13,000-foot Len Shoemaker Ridge and the intensifies! Last night of the only sections of trail, bypassing the spur trails Crater. Crossing at mile 3.5 campsite below West Maroon route over four passes, you ’ ll climbing... Of overnight visitors narrows and the climb intensifies near the Pass Mountain getaway signed... Snack on the trail turns south and East sides of the most breathtaking and colorful wildflowers in the trees treeline! 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The last mile to a backcountry camping area below West Maroon Pass is known for some the.