Mt. Crested Butte to Aspen via East Maroon Pass

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Features Birding · Commonly Backpacked · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This is a great route that connects Mt. Crested Butte ski area to downtown Aspen in just under 30 miles via the Copper Creek Trail #983 and East Maroon Creek Trail #1983. Its high point of 11,825' at East Maroon Pass offers incredible views to both sides of Elk Range. This trail can be done in either direction and is steady in incline and decline with most of the route on old forest service and mining roads when on trail.

This is one of three common ways to hike from Crested Butte to Aspen (or vice-versa). Although (or because) it is the longest in terms of mileage, it is often regarded as the least-busy of the three routes.

There are forest service toilets at the Copper Creek Trail #983 trailhead and East Maroon Creek Trail #1983 trailhead. Water sources are plentiful along both trails if you have a filter or purifier system. Be prepared for substantial fluctuations in temperature and weather along the route, with cold to very cold temperatures at the pass with much of your ascent shaded by the mountains in either direction. It can easily be 40° F warmer in town than at the pass, so be prepared for all weather on a long day.

The hike begins at Mt. Crested Butte at the Mountaineer Square shuttle stop. Start on Gothic Road and leave the ski area heading toward the small town of Gothic and Schofield Pass. A little over 1/2 mile after passing through Gothic, look for the Gothic Bypass Rd./FS 317.3A. There will likely be many cars parked at this trailhead as it is a popular jumping off point for hikes and bike rides in the area. Take a right on Gothic Bypass Rd./FS 317.3A and continue to the upper trailhead for the Copper Creek Trail.

Once on the Copper Creek Trail singletrack, climb toward Copper Lake, with one stream crossing around 10 miles in. The grade of the trail increases as you get closer to the lake and is steepest prior to the pass as you emerge above treeline. As you clear treeline you'll start to get great views of Copper Lake as you traverse towards the pass. If backpacking this route, consider setting up camp below treeline where you'll find ample water and be better protected from inclement weather.

The climb up to the pass is moderate and easily managed. The pass is 12.5 miles from your start and has great views of the valley you'll hike down towards the town of Aspen.

On the northeast side of the pass, the grade is less steep as you wind through alpine singletrack and eventually meander back into the old growth conifer stands. These conifers offer more great camping options if doing this route as an overnight. Continue on the East Maroon Creek Trail heading down valley. When you encounter a split for Copper Pass Spur #1983.1, continue straight/left to stay on the trail toward Aspen.

Further down the valley the trail continues with a steady downhill grade with several opportunities to refill water in East Maroon Creek. There are two moderate stream crossings where there is little hope of keeping your feet dry, but you may be able to find a log or dry stones to jump across in late fall. As you descend further down the valley, take in the spectacular views of looming Pyramid Peak just to the west and the Maroon Bells further to the west (you'll not be able to spot the Maroon Bells until you have arrived at the meeting of East Maroon Creek and Maroon Creek.

At just over 22 miles, you'll hit the East Maroon Creek trailhead and a forest service bathroom. Hopefully you still have the drive to finish this grand adventure on your feet by walking the 8 miles on the road all the way to downtown Aspen.

When you reach the base of Aspen Highlands Ski Area, you can transition onto a paved pedestrian/bike path that runs mostly parallel to the road, with a few fly-over crossings. There are signs that direct you towards downtown Aspen, although this route will keep you on Maroon Creek Road until the traffic circle. At this point, the path into town is easy to follow, and you can follow the pedestrian/bike path all the way into town.

The route finishes on Main Street which has many options for lodging and food once you get in to town.

Busses: In Crested Butte, you can use the free CB Mountain Express Town shuttle to get to the Mountaineer Square, and in Aspen, you can move around on the free Aspen RFTA which has multiple routes.

*NOTE: although hiking town-to-town will give you ultimate bragging rights, there remains the option of taking a taxi to the Gothic Bypass Rd. trailhead on the Crested Butte side and taking a RFTA shuttle bus from the Maroon Creek Road into town on the Aspen side. Utilizing both of these services will save you more than 12 miles of walking on roads.

Lots of livestock near Gothic. You may also see moose, deer, elk, and bear in this area. Above treeline, you'll hear the calls of marmots and pika.