From here the trail gets steeper as you get closer to the pass . West Maroon Trail is a 20.4 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Aspen, Colorado that features a lake and is rated as difficult. Trip Overview: The Four Pass Loop in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness is one of the premiere backpacking loops in Colorado. 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.. Frigid air was steep and more difficult than expected with a 40lb pack (probably about 6-8lbs too heavy). From the summit, enjoy breath-taking views in every direction. Unfortunately, it's popularity leads to large, noisy, inconsiderate groups greatly diminishing your experience from this unique trail. Camped just above kings falls on day 2. The route gains over 5,400 feet of elevation over its course. Follow this road for 19.3 km, until you see signs for the Cathedral Lake Trail.The sign is very small so, set your odometer at the traffic circle. First Backcountry Campsites (Mile 4) to West Maroon Pass: 2.5 miles, 2000 feet elevation gain. Buckskin Pass - 9.2 Miles Round-Trip Buckskin Pass (12,462') is located 4.6 miles from Maroon Lake in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. Day 2 was west maroon pass and frigid air. West Maroon Pass Summit: 12,500 feet . Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. West Maroon vs. East Maroon Pass There are three routes hikers can take between Aspen to Crested Butte, but the two most common are West Maroon and East Maroon Pass, which are both equally scenic. Distance: 6.5 miles (one-way) to West Maroon Pass (12,500-ft.). Start off with the route description from the West Maroon Pass hike. Anyone who is interested in visiting West Maroon Pass can print the free topographic map and street map using the link above. I was new to hiking in the Rockies when I hiked the West Maroon Trail in early summer 2005. As you follow the trail around Maroon Lake, it ascends roughly 1.5 miles up to Crater Lake. The new plan was to sleep long and deeply and be transformed into well-rested machines for the 13 mile, 4,000 vertical foot hike to … It's one of nine passes over 12,000' in the wilderness, and arguably easiest to reach. In fact, we didn’t make it over the first pass, West Maroon. From the pass, the trail descends the East Snowmass Trail to the trailhead. The trail ends at Schodfield Park, 14 miles from Crested Butte. Round-Trip Length: 26 miles Elevation gain & loss: 7,400′ Starting elevation: 9,655’ Trailhead Location: Maroon Lake Trailhead – 6.5 miles west of Aspen, Colorado on Maroon Creek Road. Here you’ll find 11 first-come-first-serve campsites that make a great base camp for those looking to tackle North Maroon Peak. Cross a wildflower-filled meadow below the pass and hike over Frigid Air Pass, below which more camping can be found. Capitol Peak – out and back class 4 route that will add about 2,500 ft of elevation and 4 miles. Starting elevation: 9,580 feet . Hiking trail near Aspen, Colorado. Posts about West Maroon Pass written by linhartb. Day three into Favert Basin and up trail rider pass. At the next signed junction for Frigid Air Pass [3] , take a left continue on the mellow ascent back in the opposite direction (or hike up West Maroon Pass first for the 3 Pass Loop) . Day 1: Starting at picturesque, glacier-sculpted Maroon Lake, we’ll ascend West Maroon Creek Valley on a rocky, uneven trail through thick aspen forest.Starting at 9,580 feet elevation, our group will be breathless yet exhilarated by the beauty and stark relief of the 14,000+ foot Maroon Bell’s north and south peaks ahead and the surrounding rugged mountainside. From where we slept the first night to the top of the pass was about 2.5 miles and took exactly 2 hours. West Maroon Pass is straight ahead. The popular West Maroon Pass also follows the first part of this trail. Hiking from Crested Butte to Aspen is easier than Aspen to CB. Dogs are allowed but must be leashed . 4 Pass Loop - 26.8 Miles Round-Trip The 4 Pass Loop runs 26.8 miles through the heart of the Elk Mountains and Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. From the East Maroon Trailhead to the parking lot near Gothic is 19 + miles, with 12 water crossings (2 needing water shoes and time for feeling to return to your feet due to cold water), at least 3 wide scree fields and 11,800 top elevation. Head west from Aspen along Colorado 82. The West Maroon Pass trail has been my favorite for years, despite the roundtrip from Aspen side being on the longer side (from Crested Butte, you save 1000 ft elevation gain and miles). 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. Ideal hiking months: mid-June to mid-October . 4-Pass Loop - Aspen Snowmass Wilderness area July, 15th 2017 Day 1- 12 miles and 3800' of elevation gain Maroon Lake TH > West Maroon Pass > Frigid Air Pass > Fravert Basin So the 4-Pass loop has been on Anastasiya's bucket list ever since she heard about it. Just past there is also where the trail forks. We called it a day early, high in the West Maroon Basin, with the pass an arm’s length (~1 mile) away. Hiked about 5 miles on 10/3 to below West Maroon pass. Take the second exit onto Maroon Creek Road. Follow the directions up the valley [1] and to the right at the small signed Hasley Basin junction [2] . Notice the lack of other hikers in these photos taken near the pass. This popular 13-mile (RT) hike features imposing peaks, pretty waterfalls, stunning lakes, a scenic alpine basin and a 12,500-ft. pass with panoramic views of the Treasure Mountains, Pyramid Peak and the Maroon Bells. 3) East Maroon-West Maroon Loop Check out more photos from last year's Maroon Bells-Snowmass project in our gallery. The trail is primarily used for hiking and backpacking and is best used from June until September. The last quarter mile is particularly strenuous, but the effort is well worth the reward. Maroon Peak – multiple options for class 3-5 climbing. East Maroon Trail to Copper Basin is a 20.9 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Aspen, Colorado that features a lake and is rated as difficult. Accessed from West Maroon Creek Trail at miles 35-36. The trail starts winding through forest next to Crystal River .A decaying cabin is near the end of the forest. West Maroon Pass Trail Hiking Detail. The West Maroon Trail is also a great way to have an extended backpacking trip in this wilderness on the Four Pass Loop. The latitude and longitude coordinates of West Maroon Pass are 39.0358232, -106.9975454 and the approximate elevation is 12,408 feet (3,782 meters) above sea level. A high-clearance AWD or 4WD vehicle is highly recommended to get there as the road gets extremely steep and narrow around Emerald Lake. The 11 mile one way trail connects the towns of Crested Butte and Aspen via a steep, winding trail that crests at 12,500 ft at West Maroon Pass. West Maroon Pass is displayed on the Maroon Bells USGS quad topo map. Aspen snow-safety pioneer killed in avalanche west of Crested Butte Sheriff’s report: developer violates protection order, faces DV charge New … East Maroon and more popular. It offers magnificent views of the Maroon Bells/Snowmass Wilderness area and vast fields of wildflowers. When you reach the first traffic circle take the third exit to Castle Creek Rd. Maroon Bells Weather (Days 0-3): The weather forecast for Maroon Bells is: Mostly dryTemperatures will be well below freezing (max -8°C on Fri morning, min -24°C on Wed night)Winds decreasing (near gales from the N on Wed night, calm by Fri morning). At 28 miles in length, this loop is typically hiked over the course of 3 to 5 days depending on your fitness level. We recommend doing this hike clockwise. I was always curious, but backpacking isn't strictly my "thing". While West Maroon is the more common popular of the two, it is a bit steeper compared to the East Maroon … This project is rated as a challenging project. Buckskin spans a divisive ridge between Minnehaha Gulch (east) and the Snowmass Creek drainage (west). Follow Highway 82 west to the roundabout. Go for a hike to West Maroon pass or Frigid Air pass, fish, view wildlife, wildflowers, or snag some photographs! The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, nature trips, and bird watching and is best used from April until September. West Maroon Pass Trail near Aspen, Colorado - Imposing peaks, pretty waterfalls, stunning lakes, a huge alpine basin and panoramic views from a 12,500-ft. pass encompassing Treasure Mountain, Pyramid Peak and the Maroon Bells are the scenic rewards on this 13-mile (RT) hike to West Maroon Pass. This challenging trek scales four passes over 12,400' with stunning views and long stretches of open alpine travel. In season the East Fork is … Beautiful campsite next to the river. The cutoff is found just before Capitol Lake at mile 10. For this trip, you’ll keep hiking past these campsites, up towards West Maroon Pass. The pass is small with dramatic rock pinnacles on either side. I was the last hiker of the day heading to West Maroon Pass. Elevation gain: 2,920 feet . However, this hike is easier overall and much less crowded. Great experience! East Maroon over West Maroon back This 2 day hike was the hardest physical experience I have ever done. As I mentioned in my preview report on this trip, my son and I did this backpacking trip with his Boy Scout trip several years ago in mid July in the Maroon Bells/Snowmass Wilderness area of Colorado. Campsites for backpackers can be found in the woods between the two river crossings described in the West Maroon Pass trail guide. 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. Given a round trip hike would entail 22 miles and over 5000 feet of elevation gain, an entire industry of shuttle vans has cropped up to ferry hikers back to their original point of departure. Elevation gain/loss: 2,920-ft. Few trails can surpass the stunning views from the start of the Four Pass Loop at the foot of Maroon Lake. Why you should go: It’s part of the famous West Maroon Pass trail that takes you from Crested Butte to Aspen Distance: 5.2 miles Elevation Gain: 1,560 feet Difficulty: Moderate; The West Maroon trailhead is off Gothic Rd., about an hour outside of Crested Butte. Frigid Air Pass - hiking trail near Crested Butte, CO - Hikers ascending the beautiful East Fork Valley to Frigid Air pass are rewarded with stunning views of the Maroon Bells, Snowmass Mountain and the nearby peaks of the Elk Mountains. While not quite as busy as the Four Pass Loop, this loop stills see a fair amount of people. Getting Here and There From Aspen . Trailhead to West Maroon Pass. Trail Map | Photo Gallery. Dogs are … Trail Map | Photo Gallery. From Aspen to WMP it's 6.5 miles with the first 5 miles being up/down, up/down with plenty of rocks on the trail and sometimes all rocks. 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