Crater Lake and Maroon Lake

Dogs Leashed

Features Commonly Backpacked · Fall Colors · Fishing · Lake · River/Creek · Swimming · Wildflowers

One of the most spectacular and accessible hikes in the Colorado's Maroon Bells Recreation Area is the trip up the Maroon-Snowmass Trail from Maroon Lake to Crater Lake. This is a great trail to take after watching the sunrise from the bottom of Maroon Lake. It is popular and crowded during the peak hours when the shuttle bus is running, so doing it early is recommended.

Maroon Bells is one of the most popular recreation sites in Colorado, and a reservation system has been put in place in order to control traffic and environmental impact. From mid-may through October, advance reservations are required for visiting Maroon Bells, whether by private vehicle or by shuttle. See more information and make your reservation at aspenchamber.org/plan-trip/…

The short trail to the foot of Maroon Lake leaves from the day use parking area along the north side of the lake to enter the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, and then it starts to climb. Parts of this first half of the trail are a bit steep and rocky. At the top of the switchbacks there is a tremendous view of Maroon Lake below. The trail levels out somewhat and begins a very scenic rolling climb with fantastic views on all sides. In the fall, this section of West Maroon Creek has fabulous color from the aspen trees. Just before Crater Lake there is a nice overlook above the lake on the left side of the trail. From here it is a five-minute walk to the lake.

Crater Lake is shallow and can look more brown than blue in some light, but the reflected views of the Maroon Bells, the lower reaches of Pyramid Peak, and the aspen/conifer forest all around are spectacular. The immense scale of the setting is humbling with 14,000-foot peaks towering above. After Crater Lake the West Maroon Trail splits off and continues up to West Maroon Pass (6.5 miles) and on to Crested Butte (12 miles) or around the 24-mile Four Pass Loop. This hike is a sort of rite of passage for Colorado locals, and there are shuttle services to return to Aspen at a (somewhat) reasonable price. - Denis LeBlanc, Outdoor Project