As we embarked on our journey from Cleveland Ohio, filled with anticipation and excitement for the adventure ahead of us. Our destination was the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, a land of rugged beauty and awe-inspiring vistas that has become a mecca for hikers and backpackers from around the world.
Our goal was to tackle the Four Pass Loop hike around the Maroon Bells, a 28-mile trek that takes you through some of the most breathtaking scenery in the country. The hike is known for its challenging terrain and steep elevation gains, but we were ready to push ourselves and experience the beauty of the wilderness in all its glory.
Arriving late at the Maroon Bells trailhead, we set up camp and made a quick visit to Maroon Lake to take in the magnificent view of the Maroon Bells. The air was cold and crisp, but thankfully the sky was clear, promising a beautiful morning to come. We all agreed to wake up early and catch the first light on the iconic Maroon Bells peaks.
As the first rays of light began to peek over the horizon, we eagerly unzipped our tents to take in the stunning scenery. But to our surprise, our tents were covered in snow! A storm must have passed through during the night, completely unnoticed by us. While it wasn’t the kind of surprise we were expecting, we couldn’t help but marvel at the beauty of the snow-covered landscape around us.
Despite the chilly temperatures, we braved the cold and ventured out to capture the amazing shots of the early morning light on the peaks. The snow added an extra layer of magic to the already breathtaking scenery, creating a winter wonderland that we had not anticipated. Click on thumbnail to view image
After capturing some amazing shots of the Maroon Bells peaks covered in snow, we headed back to our campsite for a hot breakfast. We quickly packed up our gear and began our trek towards West Maroon Pass, our first pass of the hike. Our plan was to make our camp just below the pass and cross both Maroon and Frigid Air passes the next day.
As we set off on the trail, we hiked along the north shore of Maroon Lake, enjoying the stunning reflections of the snow-capped peaks on the water. The trail then wound its way up into the aspen groves, which had turned a beautiful golden-yellow for the fall season. It was a mesmerizing sight to see the colorful leaves rustling in the crisp morning air.
We passed Crater Lake along the way, where we stopped for a quick snack before continuing on our journey. The trail continued to ascend, and with each step, the views became more and more breathtaking. The fresh fall of snow had transformed the landscape into a winter wonderland, creating a stunning contrast against the golden aspen trees.
As we made our way towards our next campsite, the footing became a little treacherous due to the snow. We had to be careful with our footing and take our time to ensure we didn’t slip or slide on the slippery trail.
Finally, we found a great campsite which looked up at West Maroon Pass. We set up our tents and prepared a good meal before retiring to our sleeping bags for some well-deserved rest. It had been a long day of hiking, but we were all grateful for the stunning views and the unforgettable experience of hiking through a snow-covered wilderness. Click on thumbnail to view image
The next day started early with an epic hike planned as we aimed to cross two passes, West Maroon Pass and Frigid Air Pass, in a single day. We were all geared up and ready for the challenge, looking forward to the breathtaking views we were sure to encounter along the way.
The trail up to West Maroon Pass was still snow-covered, which slowed our progress a bit, but we persevered and eventually made it to the summit. We stopped there for a much-needed break and to take in the spectacular panorama that unfolded before us. The views of the surrounding mountains were simply awe-inspiring, and we were grateful for the opportunity to witness such natural beauty.
After a short rest, we began our descent to the start of Frigid Air Pass. Once again, the trail conditions were challenging due to the snow, but we pushed forward, determined to reach the top.
As we finally reached the summit of Frigid Air Pass, we were rewarded with yet another stunning view. From here, we could see the Maroon Bells, Snowmass Mountain, and our next destination, the Farvette Basin. The trail down from the pass was also snow-covered and a little slippery at first, but we took our time and made it down safely.
We found a beautiful campsite on the bank North Fork of the Crystal River in the Farvette Basin, which made for a peaceful and serene evening. After scouting around the area, we settled in for a hearty dinner and another early night. We were all exhausted but happy after an unforgettable day of hiking through the Snowmass Wilderness. Click on thumbnail to view image
As we woke up on the third day of our backpacking trip, we felt a mix of excitement and exhaustion. The previous day had been epic, with two passes crossed, stunning views, and a challenging hike. Today, we were going to hike along the North Fork of the Crystal River, heading towards Geneva Lake, where we planned to spend the night. Our ultimate goal was to cross Trail Rider Pass on our way to Snowmass Lake, which we knew would be another unforgettable experience.
The terrain we encountered on this leg of our journey was diverse and provided a wide range of scenic beauty. We hiked along the river, admiring the rushing water and the colorful foliage that surrounded us. As we started climbing towards Geneva Lake, the views became even more breathtaking. The alpine scenery was nothing short of stunning, and we were grateful to be able to experience it firsthand.
When we arrived at Geneva Lake, we found that we had the entire area to ourselves. It was peaceful and serene, and we enjoyed another good dinner while watching a beautiful sunset over the lake. As we went to bed that night, we knew that we had a big day ahead of us. Click on thumbnail to view image
We started the day early with a hearty breakfast and the company of a pesky Whiskey Jack, before setting off on our hike. The trail took us around Geneva Lake, through a marshy meadow, and then up the steep trail towards Trail Rider Pass. As we ascended, the pass loomed ahead of us, a formidable challenge to overcome.
After a long hike, we finally reached the top of Trail Rider Pass. The panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, Snowmass Lake, and the Snowmass Creek Valley were absolutely breathtaking. We took a quick snack break to refuel and take in the scenery before beginning our descent to our next campsite at the mouth of Snowmass Lake.
As we made our way down, the peaks of Snowmass and Capitol became more prominent in the distance. We were surprised to find that Snowmass Lake, a popular camping area, was completely empty. Without any hesitation, we jumped into the inviting water for a refreshing swim. The view of Snowmass Peak across the lake was truly unforgettable.
We spent the evening around a big campfire, enjoying another delicious meal and making the best SMOREs ever. As the sun set, the view across the lake just got better and better. We agreed that getting up early to watch the sunrise was a must-do, and we were all excited to experience it. Click on thumbnail to view image
Our final day on the trail had arrived, and we were eager to make the most of it. We woke up early and were rewarded with a stunning sunrise over Snowmass Peak. We savored our last camp breakfast, enjoying the fresh mountain air and the company of our hiking companions.
Packing up our gear, we set off on the trail towards Buckskin Pass, our final challenge of the trip. The climb was tough, but we took our time and eventually reached the summit. The view from the top was incredible, and we couldn’t resist taking a group photo to commemorate our achievement.
The trail down from Buckskin Pass was steep and rocky, but we carefully made our way down towards Crater Lake. As we walked, we reflected on the amazing journey we had experienced over the past few days. The Maroon Bells – Snowmass Wilderness had truly captured our hearts with its stunning natural beauty.
As we passed by Maroon Lake, we realized that our adventure was coming to an end. We were proud of ourselves for completing the challenge, but we couldn’t help feeling a twinge of sadness at the thought of leaving this magical place.
After reaching the trailhead and loading up our cars, we headed into Aspen for a well-deserved dinner. We swapped stories and reminisced about our favorite moments from the trip, reliving the thrill of our epic hikes and the awe-inspiring vistas that surrounded us. Click on thumbnail to view image
