Trail Information
- Area: Snowmass Wilderness
- Trailhead: Maroon Lake Trailhead
- Dates: 7/20/2018 – 7/22/2018
- Length: 27 mile loop
- Difficulty: Moderately Difficult
This trip actually happened to be our second attempt at this. First time was a year prior, attempting to go around Erin’s birthday mid-September. We ambitiously tried to do the 27-mile loop over just a weekend, leaving Friday midday and hiking out Sunday. 8-9 miles a day, how bad can that be?? Well, we got a late start, got caught in the sideways blowing snow above tree line and both slept on a single pad that night as our second had a leak (an REI garage sale purchase due to Erin forgetting hers). Not even making it over the first pass on Friday, we decided to hike out the morning after not wanting to gamble weather.
Well, 10 months later, when the flowers are in full bloom, we decide to try again. We gave ourselves an extra day, double checked out gear and made our way out. I always recommend camping near Aspen to get an early start the morning after, regardless of what trail you’re hiking. Unfortunately, this area has become increasing popular over the years, especially amid Corona Virus years.
Pre-Corona, we still couldn’t find a campground and had to pitch tent east of Aspen of highway 82 in a large dirt pull out. Was still worth the early start for hitting the trail. Even still, the parking lot was full and had to take a shuttle from Aspen Highlands Ski Resort and spend $25 a day on parking (hike weekdays if you have the flexibility). Was probably overly crowded as well due to the flower blooming season. I think next time we’ll try to park at the trailhead a day before and just hike in a mile or two at night. Relatively easy hiking and easy campsites around Crater Lake.
But once on trail, and past the first few miles, the crowds begin to die down. You’ll still run into more than normal amounts of people than any other Colorado trail, but it is one of the more popular places. Looking at trail map, we decided to hike clockwise to spend our last night at Maroon Lake. Wanting the latter days to go easy, we decided to trek out nearly 13 miles over two passes to a nice campsite with plentiful running water. Marked #1 tent on the map below. Just below that, there’s a beautiful waterfall that leads into a few nice pools that look good for fishing, along with a few great isolated campsites. About 7 more miles until you hit Maroon Lake. And it is buuuusy. Rightfully so as it’s gorgeous. Just be aware if you’re looking for isolation. The lake is so big, and our time was limited, so I unfortunately didn’t have time to fully explore the lake. Most campsite, as you’ll notice, are along the eastern shore. Maybe you can get away from the crowds by hiking farther north?
Make sure to wake up early one morning on the lake. Before weather kicks in, and with still water, you’ll get some of the best lake views ever. It’s my main photo on my home page. Unfortunately, we only had one night here, so after hanging around the lake early morning, we packed up and finished our loop. The last few miles were fine. Standard switch backs up our last pass. Again, great views from the top, every pass being different, this one however with many more people. I’m assuming more people take this pass just to head to lake.
Overall, the Four Pass Loop is challenging, beautiful, long, busy, scenic and still one of my favorites to date. My next trip up there, I’m going to attempt Snowmass Lake from Maroon Snowmass Trail. Trail could be less busy. Plus at only 8 miles, could be better for a quicker weekend trip.
Helpful Links:
Forest Service: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whiteriver/recreation/recarea/?recid=82346
Trail Campsites: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd542652.pdf
Information: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5186829.pdf
Hiking Project Trail Map: https://www.hikingproject.com/trail/7001635/four-pass-loop
Backpacking: An extended form of hiking in which people carry double the amount of gear they need for half the distance they planned to go in twice the time it should take.