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This journey information takes you round 4 of Colorado’s most iconic peaks, the Maroon Bells, that are the center and soul of the Four Pass Loop.
Over the course of 26 miles, the loop climbs over 4 12,000-foot passes whereas it circles two of probably the most traditional 14ers. Throughout the journey, views abound with alternatives to identify Snowmass Mountain and Pyramid Peak in addition to the numerous different 13,000 and 12,000-foot peaks within the space. With comparatively well-graded trails, loads of tenting, and a well-established route, this loop affords a ton of payoff in your work. It is properly well worth the effort to go to no less than as soon as.
Quick Facts
- Distance: 26.5 miles from Maroon Lake Trailhead
- Days Needed: 1-4 days
- Peak Elevation: Buckskin Pass- 12,494 ft
- Low Elevation: Maroon Lake Trailhead- 9,600 ft
- Elevation Gain/Loss (Approximate): 8,600 ft
- Best Time to Hike: July-September
- Permits: Yes
- Difficulty: Difficult
Highlights
- Incredible alpine views whereas mountain climbing over Buckskin, Trail Rider, Frigid Air, and West Maroon passes.
- Loop hike makes logistics straightforward for in a single day journeys.
- A whole lot of bang for the buck- nice views with well-graded trails.
- Access Snowmass, the Maroon Bells, and Pyramid Peak 14ers (for knowledgeable climbers)
- Many facet journeys and add-on choices
Lowlights
- Incredibly busy on the West Maroon Trail
- High altitude could also be tough for these coming from sea stage
- Monsoon thunderstorms can pose a hazard in July and August
- IGBC-approved bear-resistant containers are required
- Permits are required for parking and in a single day journeys
Best Time to Hike
Due to the excessive altitude nature of this loop, the very best time to hike is July, August, and September. More skilled hikers might be able to get away with late June journeys, significantly in low snow years. However, snow within the Colorado Rockies tends to stay round till the start of July, significantly on the north faces of passes the place cornices have shaped over the winter. Given the central location of this hike and its proximity to a number of 14,000-foot peaks, snow will possible stick round a bit longer right here in comparison with different areas of Colorado.
July is usually a fantastic time to backpack within the mountains. It’s when many wildflowers start to bloom, water sources are plentiful, and the air temperature seems like summer season. Hikers ought to beware that remoted monsoon thunderstorms roll by way of most afternoons in July. It’s a good suggestion to plan your days and campsites to keep away from being on the passes within the afternoons. The rule of thumb is to go right down to treeline by midday, although it’s all the time finest to observe the skies. Monsoon thunderstorms are much less widespread in August, and the flowers are often peaking by this time.
By September, the alpine is ablaze with the traditional golden yellow, and the tundra turns orange and pink. While nonetheless sizzling within the afternoon, temperatures start to chill off, significantly at evening. The threat of snow will increase all through the month, and water sources start to amass a movie of ice at evening. This additionally interprets to fewer bugs and exquisite, golden aspens close to the Maroon Lake trailhead.
By October, plan for snow. It is widespread to get something from a light-weight dusting to ft at a time, and it’s not advisable to plan journeys after October 1st until you’ve bought a transparent climate window and are ready for the sudden.
Difficulty of Trail
The Four Pass Loop is well-maintained and marked, making it an amazing selection for hikers of any stage in search of a wonderful journey. That stated, the altitude, particularly, may be difficult for these not but acclimated.
TERRAIN
The majority of the paths are packed dust with some sturdy rocks all through. The West Maroon path between the Maroon Lake Trailhead and Maroon Lake can really feel particularly tiring to hike on the return journey to the automotive after finishing the Loop.
The larger subject with the path tread tends to be erosion resulting from excessive visitors. Many steep sections, significantly beneath the passes, have braiding or ruts from water runoff. As a lot of the path traverses alpine tundra, it’s best to attempt to observe the official path and keep away from strolling on the grasses. They take a very long time to develop and might endure immensely from foot visitors.
GRADIENT
Like a lot of the western US, the paths making up the Four Pass Loop are constructed with switchbacks to make the climb extra gradual. The general charge of elevation acquire is about 330 ft per mile, which is pretty straightforward going. Of course, some sections, significantly near the passes, may be a lot steeper.
Buckskin Pass, particularly, is usually a brutal climb, with 800 ft of acquire per mile on the east facet. The whole route is taken into account a category one walk-up: there is no such thing as a scrambling or want to make use of fingers to achieve the passes. The path is walkable always.
ELEVATION
By far probably the most daunting and difficult facet of this hike is the excessive altitude. All 4 passes prime out at over 12,400 ft above sea stage.
Of course, when you acquire all that vert to the move, you drop fairly a bit to get to the subsequent strategy. For these coming from sea stage, the possibilities of altitude illness bogging you down is fairly excessive. Taking a number of days to acclimate in Denver or Aspen earlier than mountain climbing is a good suggestion.
Even locals who haven’t accomplished a number of high-altitude hikes ought to plan to take it sluggish and look ahead to indicators of altitude illness. Drinking numerous water and taking issues slowly can go a great distance in stopping signs. Choosing campsites on the low factors between the passes may also make an enormous distinction.
PERMITS & Restrictions
This space isn’t any secret and to guard this beautiful panorama, permits and use restrictions are in place. Read rec.gov’s Need to Know part on the Maroon Bells-Snomass Wilderness for particulars on fireplace restrictions, pets, tenting, waste administration, and group sizes.
Permits are snatched up shortly. Either attempt to reserve a allow as quickly as they develop into accessible in case you don’t have flexibility or look ahead to cancellations throughout June, July, August, and September.
PERMITS
Those seeking to e book a allow can discover all the info and make their reservation at Recreation.gov, however right here’s the abbreviated model:
On February 15, hikers might make reservations for June and July journeys.
August and September permits can be found beginning June 15 for that 12 months. Each individual is just allowed to e book two permits per 12 months for as much as seven days every. Several totally different tenting zones overlap with the Four Pass Loop.
Be positive to verify which zone you’re planning to camp in every evening earlier than reserving your reservation. Fees are presently listed as $10 per individual per evening plus a $6 non-refundable reservation price.
BATHROOM PLAN
Ah, sure. Pooping within the wilderness may be mighty satisfying expertise. However, you’re removed from the one individual pooping in these woods. For that cause, we advocate utilizing a wag bag and packing out your waste.
BEAR-PROOF YOUR SMELLY STUFF
This loop is in black-bear nation, and as chances are you’ll know, a fed bear is a useless bear. Food, trash, and scented objects needs to be saved in an IGBC-approved container. Here’s the PDF of accepted merchandise. We choose to make use of an Ursack bear sack as a result of it’s light-weight, works nice, and isn’t cumbersome.
Getting There
PARKING
It needs to be famous that backpacking permits don’t embody parking, which is proscribed and managed by visitmaroonbells.com in cooperation with the White River National Forest. Parking passes are $10 per car as a flat charge for as much as three days.
If parking is full, a bus runs from the Maroon Bells Welcome Center at Aspen Highlands Ski Area. The price to experience the bus is $16 per individual for adults. It needs to be famous that each one costs are as of 2025 and are topic to alter.
TRAILHEADS
The Four Pass Loop is situated between Aspen and Crested Butte, Colorado. Most hikers choose to start out on the Maroon Lake Trailhead, which is situated about 12 miles south of Aspen up Maroon Creek Road. Parking or shuttle reservations are wanted to entry this trailhead from May by way of October, even if you’re simply planning to day hike.
Some hikers select to start out from the West Maroon Trailhead which is situated about 14 miles north of Crested Butte over Schofield Pass. High clearance is advisable to achieve this trailhead and it could actually nonetheless be fairly busy in the summertime.
Both Crested Butte and Aspen are a number of hours from Denver by automotive, however the scenic drive is properly well worth the effort. For those that resolve to finish their hike early or hike the Aspen to Crested Butte route, it takes a number of hours to drive from Aspen to Crested Butte and vice versa.
Planning Your Itinerary
There are many web sites, Facebook teams, and on-line boards devoted to planning a visit on the Four Pass Loop. The White River National Forest and Recreation.gov web sites present extra details about required gear and permits. When planning a hike, we use a telephone GPS app equivalent to GAIA GPS to trace mileage, lookup water sources, and discover campsites.
Though some avid path runners and hikers full the loop in a single day, many choose to separate the journey into 2-4 days to completely absorb the surroundings. We prefer to hike the loop counterclockwise and sort out Buckskin Pass first. For the match hiker, this implies all the passes can be summited early within the morning to keep away from encountering afternoon thunderstorms. Those who aren’t as used to the altitude or as match might choose to strategy West Maroon Pass first, because the climb is way more gradual.
MAPS & RESOURCES
Day 1: Maroon Lake Trailhead to Snowmass Lake by way of Buckskin Pass
On day one, begin off from the Maroon Lake Trailhead and observe the principle path to Crater Lake. A facet path will department off to ascend Buckskin Pass. Make positive to make use of a GPS, there are numerous social trails and some path junctions alongside the way in which. This route takes you across the north facet of the Maroon Bells as much as Buckskin Pass. There are many wildflowers across the move in the summertime. The views from the highest of the move are stupendous, with Pyramid Peak seen to the east and Snowmass Mountain to the west.
Descend the west facet of the move down a collection of switchbacks to Snowmass Creek. There are many campsites on this valley, however probably the most scenic websites are a bit additional across the shores of Snowmass Lake. Enjoy lounging round camp or taking a dip within the lake after your exhausting work is accomplished for the day.
Daily Mileage- 8.3 miles
Daily Elevation Gain- 3228 ft
Day 2: Snowmass Lake to Fravert Basin by way of Trail Rider Pass
Starting from Snowmass Lake, the path shortly begins climbing once more in the direction of Trail Rider Pass. After climbing a number of steep sections across the facet of some scree fields, the path ranges out and affords fanatic views down the valley. A fast climb up some switchbacks tops out on a ridge saddle beneath Snowmass Peak.
After taking a break to soak within the views, the hike downhill oscillates between steep and mellow sections. Pass a number of small ponds and a turnoff for Geneva Lake earlier than making the ultimate descent to the North Fork Crystal River.
The afternoon is spent mountain climbing up the valley in the direction of Fravert Basin. There are numerous campsites all alongside the valley, however we choose tenting near treeline to higher arrange the ultimate day.
Daily Mileage- 7.4 miles
Daily Elevation Gain- 2,437 ft
Day 3: Fravert Basin to Maroon Lake Trailhead by way of Frigid Air and West Maroon Passes
The remaining day of the journey ascends the ultimate two passes of the Four Pass Loop. Camping excessive up in Fravert Basin on day 2 signifies that the climb as much as Frigid Air Pass is comparatively brief. The path wanders by way of some willows and wildflowers earlier than reaching the highest in the midst of a number of switchbacks.
After marveling on the views of the Raggeds off within the distance, the path loses some elevation on its strategy to West Maroon Pass. This part doesn’t descend beneath 11,700 ft, so the views are beautiful. Sometimes sheep ranchers graze their sheep right here in the summertime. Keep an eye fixed out for guardian canines and provides the flock house!
The climb as much as West Maroon can really feel tiring at this level within the hike: it’s a bit steep, however it’s the final massive uphill push. The pink rocks encompassing this move are a bit extra sheer than the opposite passes on the hike. There may additionally be extra foot visitors from day hikers and people mountain climbing the Aspen to Crested Butte path.
After a fast drop off of the move, the remainder of the path slowly loses elevation. It winds down the West Maroon Creek valley previous the Maroon Bells and Pyramid Peak earlier than ultimately rejoining the unique path at Crater Lake. Continue on to the Maroon Lake Trailhead, then head again to Aspen for a well-deserved meal on the town!
Daily Mileage- 10.8 miles
Daily Elevation Gain- 2,087 ft
Gear List
Make positive to take a look at our Ultimate Backpacking Checklist so that you don’t neglect one thing essential.
Below you’ll discover our present favourite backpacking gear. If you wish to see further choices, our curated gear guides are the results of a few years of intensive analysis and hands-on testing by our crew of out of doors specialists.
BACKPACK
Conclusion
We totally loved ourselves on the beautiful Four Pass Loop. Sure, it could actually get hectic with crowds and navigating permits, however we nonetheless suppose it’s well worth the work. Be positive to overview all the most recent requirements for learn how to go away no hint whereas visiting the good open air.
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