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Maroon-Snowmass Trail

Intermediate Intermediate
 4.6 (14)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Central Rockies
  4. …White River National Forest
  5. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness
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“One of the most popular trails in Colorado, for good reason. ”

Tom Robson
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Map Key

1.8

Miles

2.9

KM

Point to Point

10,150' 3,094 m

High

9,572' 2,917 m

Low

578' 176 m

Up

14' 4 m

Down

6%

Avg Grade (4°)

22%

Max Grade (13°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Lake · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

The Maroon Bells Scenic Area is a recreation fee area; there is a mandatory fee. The Interagency, Senior & Golden Access Passes are honored.

Reservations are required to visit Maroon Bells, whether by personal vehicle or shuttle. Take the shuttle from Aspen Highlands Ski Area, which leaves every 20 minutes; dogs are allowed on the bus. rfta.com/routes/maroon-bells/

Description

According to the Forest Service ( fs.usda.gov/recarea/whiteri…), Maroon Bells Access: Reservations are required to visit Maroon Bells by personal vehicle or shuttle in 2021. Vehicle access begins May 15 and the shuttle system from Aspen Highlands begins June 7. You can start making reservations for either beginning April 12 at aspenchamber.org/maroon-bells

This trail is one of the most heavily used trails in the Aspen area. Hikers, backpackers and horse travelers enjoy the wildflowers, views and access to other areas within the Wilderness.

Camping at Crater Lake (designated sites only) and Snowmass Lake (designated sites only) can get very crowded. Expect a large numbers of campers at Snowmass Lake, especially on the weekends.

The trail starts at the Maroon Lake parking area. To the right of the Lake, the Maroon Snowmass Trail traverses through a meadow to a Forest Service bulletin board at the far end of the lake. The trail continues to climb through scree fields and aspen groves before a beautiful "rock garden". From here the trail drops down to Crater Lake.

The road appears to be paved.

Contacts

Land Manager: White River National Forest - Maroon Bells

Shared By:

Tom Robson with improvements by Jason Anderson and 2 others
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.6 from 14 votes

#3

in Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness

#535

Overall
  4.6 from 14 votes
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Trail Rankings

#3

in Maroon Bells-Snowmass…

#101

in Colorado

#535

Overall
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5,036 Since Apr 1, 2015
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Photos

One hell of an evening at the Maroon Bells
Sep 27, 2015 near Snowmas…, CO
Moose
Feb 9, 2015 near Snowmas…, CO
Starting the Four Pass journey. Dawn light on North Maroon Peak. Photo: Michelle Smith
Aug 31, 2015 near Snowmas…, CO
Taking a break on the way to Snowmass Lake on the Maroon Bells 4-Pass Loop.
Aug 13, 2016 near Snowmas…, CO
Maroon Bells
Apr 1, 2015 near Snowmas…, CO
Maroon Bells on a beautiful fall day
Feb 8, 2018 near Snowmas…, CO

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Check-Ins

Jun 26, 2022
Private User
Jun 22, 2022
Gina G
Jun 3, 2022
Jerónimo Sánchez
Sep 20, 2021
Jeff S
Fresh snow; breezy; multiple people from American lake sightings!
Sep 28, 2020
Eric Harrill
3.6mi
Sep 13, 2020
Ari R.
COVID precautions made for much smaller crowds which was wonderful! Crater Lake was nearly empty though. Fall colors were just starting to show! ☺️…
Jul 26, 2020
Michelle A
Maroon Lake and Crater Lake. Wear boots due to rocky climb!! 3.6mi
Jul 7, 2020
Zac Johnson

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