We hiked the Four Pass Loop, which was a very challenging trail with rewarding views. We did a three-night backpacking trip and camped at sites along the trail. There was a hefty amount of elevation gain. There were plenty of streams to filter water from with several river crossings as well as sketchy snow crossings where we lost the trail. Navigation was a challenge at times as there was limited signage. Even in July, which is the most recommended month to hike, the weather was dicey with some heavy afternoon thunderstorms. You do have to reserve your permits online far in advance and book bus tickets from Aspen as park parking is very limited. WAG bags were recommended, but not required when we went. read more

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Such a cool spot and definitely something you need to do if you are in Aspen! We went during spring offseason, rented bikes from Velo E-bikes in Aspen (don't go anywhere else to rent but Velo - trust!!) and rode from Aspen all the way up to Maroon bells without a single hider or issue - even despite the misinformation we received from e-bike places we called around town. Highly recommend using e-bike versus manual bikes or walking there. In the summer they offer shuttle services to Maroon bells which would also make it easier to get there. I can imagine in the summer it's probably over saturated with people and busy. When we went it was beautiful, quiet, and serene. I wouldn't have wanted to be there any other time. The bike routes are well marked and we got to ride on the closed road all the way to the picnic area at the base of maroon bells. If you come to Aspen, you should absolutely factor this into your itinerary! read more

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We reserved an all day parking pass and got there around 10 am with plenty of parking. We brought our two pups to hike the Crater Lake Trail and the views were breathtaking! We were the only ones at Crater Lake for almost an hour. read more

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This place is gorgeous! Especially if you get to experience the fall colors! I absolutely loved this place. I was able to see some wildlife. The scenery is breathtaking and the pictures don't do it justice. The trail to Maroon Bells is short and easy for anyone who doesn't feel like exploring more than the area where you want to take pictures of the most photographic place in Colorado. Please stop by if you're around the area, my understanding is that you do need to make reservations ahead of time as well. read more

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Look -- Maroon bells is one of the most stunning places I've been, truly it is so gorgeous. But it is kind of a pain in the a*s to get there unless you go v early or late (before 7:30-8a, or after 5p), and it seems to have less available re: trails than places like Rocky Mountain natl park, so I would preferentially go there for sure given the logistic constraints of the bells. See below for my review of Aspen highlands center which is where the maroon bells shuttle picks up/drops off ($16 per res). I want to give a shout out to one of the Aspen highlands center desk staff Peter - he gave really good advice about parking here which is actually quite the nightmare. I was in a hurry and accidentally parked in the wrong spot so it wasn't as cheap as it should've been but his instructions were clear, so it's on me. I would def say if you are coming to maroon bells for the first time and using the shuttle, come EARLY and go into the aspen highlands center and ask about parking if you've never been/don't know where to go. All this said: because of issues with parking I actually found the shuttle experience to be really stressful; I lost an hour of hiking time just trying to figure out where to go/get to the right spot for the shuttle/waiting in line. If I were to do things over, I would just drive up to the trail head after hours in my own car (either before 7a or after 5p - the last shuttle leaves from maroon bells at 5p and I noted that the scenic area parking lot was pretty empty by then) so that I wouldn't be so pressed for time. To explain this more clearly: I had a 2:20p pre-purchased res/ticket ($16). I got to aspen highlands at 1:30p only to discover parking there is $45-50 for like 4 hrs (until Oct, ie the busy season) which is beyond a ripoff to me, it's actually offensive. I found out from staff that there is free parking near the regional airfield but that is like 30ish mins away, or $8 parking in aspen (resident areas only -- I accidentally parked in the shopping area and it cost $18 for 4 hrs). Aspen is only 6 mins away by car, but you have to take the free "Castle Maroon" (turquoise line) bus from there to get back to Aspen highlands where the shuttle picks up, and that ride takes 20 mins. The bus leaves every 20 mins from the hour - and after I parked/paid $18 for parking in aspen, I got to the Rubey transit station at 2:01p -- I'd just missed the 2p shuttle by one minute. I waited 20 mins and took the 2:20p shuttle, so I got back to Aspen highlands at 2:40, then had to wait in the overflow line although I had the 2:20 shuttle pass pre-paid). The 2:40 shuttle from highlands to bells scenic area filled with people ALREADY in the line, so I had to wait another 20 mins in line at highlands for the 3p maroon bells shuttle which takes 20 more minutes to actually reach maroon bells scenic area. Long story short: I got to Aspen highlands at 1:30p assuming parking would cost $5-10 and hoping to get on the 2:20 shuttle (and having a pre-purchased ticket for this). Because of parking crap ($45-50 or no dice in that whole area) I didn't get to maroon bells until 3:20p, and the last shuttle leaves the bells to return to Aspen highlands at 5p. I got 1 hr and 4 mins to hike -- for the whopping grand total of $34 ($16 shuttle pass, $18 downtown Aspen parking) and having almost an hour of hiking time wasted. Overall: I understand why the shuttle system is necessary, parking is INDEED limited at the trailhead but the parking around the shuttle area is a disaster and wastes a lot of time. $45-50 for 4 hrs of parking per the resort is beyond greedy; I've never seen such an egregious charge for parking before although I assume it must exist elsewhere. But imagine paying $64 ($16 for pass and $50 for parking) to hike in a nice place for 1.5 hrs. That's ridiculous. The bells are indeed stunning. But just know what it takes to get there can be the WORST. Ideally, go v early or v late and in your own car ($10 total day pass per vehicle). read more

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If you want to experience heaven on earth, Maroon Bells is it! These twin 14ers, perfectly sculpted by glaciers and time, wear snow like a crown and shift in hue with every hour. The lake water below shimmers with beauty. Nature at its most glorious, dressed in its finest and standing still in quiet awe. Breathtaking! read more

Maroon Bells Peaks - Rock Climbing Near Me

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Our amazing Colorado family took us to Maroon Bells Peaks to see the change of color in the Fall. Reservations are required to visit Maroon Bells by car or shuttle. We took the bus shuttle which costed $16 for adults. Park your car at the Aspen Highlands Visitor center for $7 an hour or $40 maximum per day. I believe that it is free to bike instead of riding the shuttle or driving. There were many cyclists who chose to don that instead. Share the road! There are many hikes that folks can choose to do for some exercise. We chose to do an easy hike that took us around Maroon Lake, and it was approximately a 1.5 mile hike. We stopped many times along the route. So many photo opportunities everywhere you look. Maroon Bells was BEAUTIFUL!!!! The fall foliage was GOLDEN!!!! Highly recommend visiting Maroon Bells when you are in the Aspen area of Colorado! If you love nature, then do not miss this amazing destination!! read more

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I hesitate writing this review, about one of my favorite childhood mountain spots, given its popularity, but the cat is already clearly out of the bag! While it's extremely difficult to get a car pass, I did try the bus this year, and it was not too bad. I grew up going here, possibly with my family as a child, but definitely as an adult, with my dad, when I'd visit CO from SF/CA + NoVA/DC, so it reminds me of my dad (who is now sadly gone). I was thrilled when I first came back here to re-live memories, alone, in 2022, and didn't know about the reservation system, and couldn't even try to use it, given there's no Internet up here, but was able to negotiate with a sentimental gatekeeper. Then I came here again this fall, 2025, and planned ahead, riding the bus, and brought all the supplies I needed in my backpack for a day hike! Then it started raining, then hailing, then thundering, then lightning-ing, so I turned around. Regardless, it's still picturesque & magical. read more

We visited at the tail end of winter. The road was closed, and the snowmobile tours only were going a mile or two up the road. I guess because of avalanche danger. We decided to walk. We saw many people on cross country skis and we wished we had them as they seemed a more efficient means of travel than trudging through the melted snow. Amazing views. Highly recommend. read more

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Our Maroon Bells visit called for an early morning wake-up and arrival. I was able to park on site with a reservation, but I'm not sure how closely the lot was actually monitored. There were a bunch of open spots even though I had booked the last space online. There wasn't much fall color left, but the views were still breathtaking. The view of the peaks alone was worth the drive up to Aspen. I wish we could've stayed longer to see the full sunrise over the peaks, but it was just too dang cold. I'm going to try to be more prompt next year for prime leaf peeping season as I know this spot will be incredible. read more

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After missing out last spring, we made sure to get our parking pass and then arrive early on Monday, so we could witness the sunrise for ourselves. We were a little surprised it wasn't more crowded than it was, but it was pretty cold. Lots with their cameras and tripods there as well. We got a good spot and watched the sun come up, and the tips turn maroon to bring their namesakes to life. We walked around a bit, and even got to see lots of pics of a moose in the water and around the area. Really cool experience. read more

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Beautiful. When hiking here amongst the lake, wildlife, trees, and flowers in the summer and fall. Exquisite. When snowshoeing or snowmobiling out to the exquisite lake in the winter and early spring. Prepare. Reservation is needed to visit Maroon Bells. Water bottle, sturdy shoes, layers of clothing. CHEERS! read more

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A nice hike that can be challenging or easy if you want it to be. We went in June and it was still pretty snowy up too with glaciers in the way and water rushing down that prevented us from going further. Even though we had to turn around, the views are I credible and going over obstacles added to the fun! read more

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Okay this is a beautiful hike, but be prepared. I would rank going to crater lake in the top three hardest walks I have made in the last decade (the others being St. George's Castle in Lisbon and climbing to the Hollywood sign in LA). The views all along the hike are spectacular. So we started out trek by boarding a bus in Aspen at 8,000+ feet, exited the bus at 10,000+ feet and proceeded to go up another 500 feet to crater lake. One hiker informed us that at one point the hike was rated as easy, but now more realistically it is considered moderate. Good shoes and hiking poles are recommended. If you are a novice just take your time, rest frequently, bring a snack and hydrate. I recommend dressing in layers. Once you get the crater lake the mountain views are amazing with snow even in July. There can be wildlife including bears, but the most we encountered was a fox scavenging for food. Plan your time wisely so that you are not rushing to make the final bus back to Aspen. read more

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There are many trails near Aspan. The most popular Trails are located in Maroon Bells and Snowmass Wilderness, including Conundrum Springs, Capitol Lake, Crater Lake and Four Pass Loop (Snowmass Lake and Geneva Lake). Overnight camping in these places requires permission to be booked in advance. It is said that Very popular. Based on other people's reviews, we decided to go to Maroon Bells. To enter Maroon Bells, take the Shuttle Bus. Park your car in the dedicated parking lot at highland, the parking fee is $40 per day, and then board the dedicated Bus according to the reserved ticket to enter the park. It is said that Maroon Bells was overcrowded in the 1970s, making it extremely difficult to get in and out, and the vegetation in the park was severely damaged. Therefore, a restrictive protection mechanism was launched to limit the number of visitors per day. The Shuttle Bus took about 20 minutes to reach the parking lot in the park. I stood in front of the guide map in the park and thought for a while, and decided to take the Maroon Lake Trail and Crater Lake Trail as planned. The Maroon Lake Trail is located near the parking lot and is flat along the lake. It is enough for ordinary tourists to walk around, see the scenery, take photos and check in. read more

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Planning well in advance is an absolute must if you want to access the parking lot. The parking lot at maroon bells is limited and must be reserved in Advance which is a bummer. However, if you are unable to access the parking lot - don't worry! Go on the website and reserve a shuttle. It operates frequently. There's a giant parking structure which makes it super convenient. However parking is $40 for all day parking!!!! If you want to save some money, parking a few miles away at the aspen public garage which is next to the the aspen public library. All day parking is $12!! There's a FREE shuttle that takes you to the lot! I'm not a public transportation user so I was a little scared to use, but the bus is clean and super easy!!! If you are scared, just ask the bus driver!! I opened up Google maps and figured out how to use the shuttle that way! I promise you... it's easy!!!! From the aspen public garage $12 to the $40 garage took about 20 minutes because of all the stops so plan accordingly! $16 per person to access the maroon bells shuttle as of June 2022!!! Hiking to maroon lake is easssssy! Perfect for young kids and senior citizens! Easiest walk from the shuttle to the lake!! Now if you want to be adventurous - check out crater lake! I would say it's a moderate hike. It would be challenging if you have bad knees as you have to walk up the entire hike and then walk down the entire hike. Hiking shoes is a must in my opinion! Bring plenty of water and snacks! Apply plenty of sunscreen and reapply. The trail had some shade but I would recommend wearing a hat! read more

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Easily the most beautiful places I've ever been to. God truly touched this place. You'll definitely need to plan out this trip and give yourself 3-4 hours from parking, to getting your ticket for the bus, the bus ride, enjoying the trails, and then the bus ride back. The staff at all stations were super rude and annoying but in the end, seeing this place made up for it all. We came at the most perfect time when the fall leaves were changing. The picture we took looked like someone painted them and it was even more beautiful in person. Plan this trip, have time to enjoy it, and you won't be let down. read more

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I try to avoid anything that requires a bus; but the shuttle was pretty fast and we actually got to leave earlier than our tickets by waiting in standby. Can't beat the views! read more

Maroon Bells Peaks - Rock Climbing Near Me

The view is obviously worth the hype. There are a number of hikes you can do around for a better view once you enter the area, or you can simply walk up and still get a killer view!! This is pretty elevated so I would expect cooler temperatures and I would bring a jacket. Please don't forget to grab a timed entry reservation on recreation.gov and your NP pass! read more

The logistics of coming here require planning ahead, but it was worth it. You need a reservation to come visit. No cars are allowed in between 8am-5pm, but you can make a reservation for the shuttle. You can also make a reservation to drive in before 8am or after 5pm. That's what we did. We had to enter any time before 8am and leave before 5pm. Reservations are released on the first of the month the month before (we made reservations August 1 for the month of September). I think it costs $10, but it's free if you have a national parks pass (which we did). A reservation does not guarantee you entry. If the parking lot fills up, you won't be let in. This made me paranoid, so we woke up super early to get there well before sunrise. This wasn't necessary. We were there on a weekday in September, so that may be why it wasn't crowded. The parking lot was never full. I highly recommend coming for sunrise. The peaks are gorgeous when lit up with that golden morning glow. After sunrise, we hiked to Crater Lake. It was a 3.8 mile round trip hike and fairly easy. I think it might have been rated as moderate, but it was on the easier side of moderate. The lake had dried up a bit and wasn't very big, but it was still really pretty. We even saw some moose in the distance near the forest when we got to Crater Lake. Maroon Bells is one of the best views you can get without any physical effort. Plan ahead and come for sunrise! read more

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BRING BUG SPRAY!!!! Amazing trails. Very Rocky and TONS of flies!!!! Those flies literally won't leave you alone and will follow you all the way to the top. Crater lake is worth the visit and since it gives you a different view of the bells read more

I was prepared for an almost 2 mile hike to see Maroon Bells but was pleasantly surprised that you honestly don't have to hike very far at all from the parking lot to see the spectacular views. There's not a lot of places I like to visit more than once, but this is definitely a place I'd love to see at different times of the year to see how different it can look! read more

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Hard to top the beauty here, especially in the fall while the Aspen leaves are starting to change colors. There is a shuttle that conveniently runs between Aspen Highlands and Maroon Bells for only $16 -- just make sure to book ahead of time during peak leaf peeping season! The lake water level was very low as of late September 2021, but still made for gorgeous views. Whether you're looking for an intense hike or more of a casual scenic stroll, Maroon Bells is a must-see. read more

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This was my first visit to Maroon Bells. I had my dog with me, so I bought a day parking pass. When I arrived ~6 AM, there was no one in the ranger station so I just processed to the parking lot. When I purchased the parking online it said to check-in, but I didn't see where. I worried about this a bit on the hike, but my car was still there when I returned. We hiked the Maroon Creek Trail. It is an out and back ~6.6 mile round trip. This was a great trail for our first hike since we arrived. It is a low traffic trail. We only saw one person at the far end trailhead and no one on the trail. The first (and last) mile are extremely rocky so you have to carefully watch your footing, but the trail is not difficult to navigate. The middle section follows the creek so you can hear roaring water and there are sections through grassy meadows with dirt paths. There are restroom at both trailheads. After the big hike, we walked down by Maroon Lake which was much more populated with less intense hikers. There were a lot of families and people of all ages and physical abilities. Such a beautiful site! If you are in the area, I would highly recommend! read more

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What a glorious way to spend a Saturday morning! Well worth the effort to make a hiking reservation in advance, make the drive to Aspen, and get up early. Yes, during COVID, you have to make special arrangements to hike Maroon Bells. More info here: https://aspenchamber.org/plan-trip/trip-highlights/maroon-bells/reservations Two hours was the perfect amount of time to hike the Crater Lake trail (about 3-4 miles round trip) and take some nature pics. Dogs are allowed, though you should absolutely keep them on leash, as there are moose around. We saw two right at the trailhead and they are not afraid of humans or canines. I did see some families doing this trail and, depending on your kid's stamina, Crater Lake is fine. But there are a lot of rocks and the way to the lake is mostly uphill, FYI. Incredibly beautiful and a nice way to "get out" and experience nature. read more

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This was very pretty. Very nice. Very frustrating that the shuttle had people who were not taking their mask-wearing seriously. 15 people per bus shuttle, so that is very nice! When we were there, it was equally challenging with people on trails not wearing masks. We did a bit of hiking with our kids and found it to be a beautiful area and while we're happy we went, we've seen so many places this beautiful. To name a few, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, Bear Creek Trail in Telluride. Don't regret it. It was beautiful. We loved it, in fact... but not more than other places we've been and we're souring against people who aren't masking up as they should. read more

IF YOU HAVE KIDS, DONT SUFFER THROUGH THIS BUS RIDE. THERE IS 50 MORE VIEW PIINTS LIKE THIS THAT ARE FREE OF MONEY AND FREE OF PAIN. THERE IS MOTE PRETTY VIRWS ON INDEPENDENCE PASS ROAD 5 MILES AWAY. I saw atleast 200 people in line while it was snowing and they wouldn't bring more buses. I would not recommend this place. When I was there, I saw families with little babies suffering through the terribly slow bus lines with nowhere else to stand in cover. And it was snowing. Cars are not allowed. You have to park at the paid parking lot, 20 dollar bus ticket to get up there but please note there will be a line to go up and also to come back down. It's sad to see how much money they are charging people for a 10 min bus ride. read more

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Definitely worth a visit. It was cold but amazing. We went at the end of May and it snowed the day before. We reserved a day parking pass. Only $10 (a lot cheaper then taking the bus). The only downside is that you have to arrive prior to 8am. It was an easy drive to the parking lot at maroon lake. We hiked the maroon lake trail. It took us about 2 hours to hike the almost 3 mile loop. Our 3 year old hiked most of the way so it's an easy hike. Be sure to bring shoes you can get muddy. They have clean bathrooms next to the parking lot. Be sure to keep your distance from the wildlife. We saw a fox, deer and a beaver on the hike. read more

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This is a beautiful place to visit. No wonder tourists travel here from all over just to take fancy photographs. The colors of meadow grass and puffy clouds are so vibrant. You take it for granted. These huge massive rocky mountain peaks. So so pretty. Of course you can do all sorts of hikes here. We did the hike to crater lake. I was surprised by my fatigue. Man, I'm getting old. Be sure to steady your breathing at this elevation and go easy on your trek. Well the crater lake vista was small but worth it. You feel so close to these giant mountains. Next time we'll circle around the lake and make our way over to the icy patches. We also came another day and did a downhill bike ride. Wheeeeeeeeee! If you take the bus up there you'll get an information tour during your ride up the mountain. It was great to learn all about avalanche history, marmuts, aspen trees and such. read more

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The #1 activity you should do in Aspen!!!! If you can't hike, you can ride the bus to the top and see amazing views within about 50 yard of the terminal. If you can hike, there are hikes ranging from 2 mile RT out and backs to a 28-mile loop through 4 passes. We went while the leaves were changing colors but any time of year will offer its own unique vistas from wildflowers to snow capped peaks. read more

The Maroon Bells is a great excursion for you to take when in the Aspen area. Let's face it, you can only eat so much at expensive restaurants and shop so much for souvenirs. As one of the most photographed mountain peaks in North American, it definitely is a place for you to go and photograph it some more It is only open in the summer months. You won't be able to go after October or during the ski season. Transportation to the Maroon Bells is easy. Get there early by car, or take a bus. The bus picks you up from the Aspen Highlands Ski area. Tickets are available at the shop. The buses take you up to the Maroon Bells trailhead. The bus drivers are more like tour guides who point things out to you on the way up, and on the way back. If you get lucky, you will get a bus driver who is humorous. We had a bus driver who sang to us and led the bus in singing "Happy Trails to You". The trailhead is nice with a bathrooms and a ranger station with helpful rangers and volunteers to help and give guided tours. A short walk brings you to Maroon Lake where you have a great view of the Maroon Bells. It is a perfect place for taking selfies. If you are old schooled like me, you can bring a real camera and a tripod, or just bring your camera and ask someone to take the photo for you. Maroon Lake is scenic and flat enough that you can spend an hour or two just with a picnic at the trailhead. If you are more able bodied, and don't have a person like my wife, who refuses to go on dirt trails, the trailhead is the start of a couple of great hikes. The Maroon Bells trailhead is a great place to visit when in Colorado. Highly recommended. Both my wife and daughter liked it. Their only complaint was that it wasn't maroon at the time we went. But, even with it being the wrong color at the time we arrived, it was a very scenic place to see. read more

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Tip #1: do your research before you even start to plan. COVID or no COVID, this is a very popular attraction, so there are measures in place to visit it. I had no idea that this was the #1 most photographed peaks in North America and on the Top 5 list of most photographed mountain peaks in the world! Whaaaat? No way! The fams and I took a suuuuuper last-minute road trip vacay to Colorado and my husband had it set in his mind that we needed to visit this place. I did some research beforehand and I kept on seeing that we needed reservations to drive our car up or take the shuttle up. Since we had planned so late in the game and it was towards the end of the summer, the reservations were all booked up! Because of COVID, the shuttle buses were only seating 1/2 the amount of patrons. We were so close to booking a 1/2 day horseback trip up to the Bells, but it was so price and so glad we did not need to. During our stay in Snowmass, several people told us about taking e-bikes up to the Bells, but I also wanted to try to see if I could get a car pass again. Miraculously, 1 of 15 car passes came up the the queue! but they didn't have any available for my daughter's size. The gentleman at the bike shop told us to visit the Maroon Bells visitors center to see if we could get a wait list for the shuttle bus. So, even though people purchase their passes online, they are sometimes no-shows! We took the chance and got our names on the waitlist. They did not charge credit card until we were confirmed to get on the bus. We waited probably about an hour until our name was called. Of course, were were super thrilled to be getting on that bus up the mountain! Once we arrived, the bus dropped us off and we could not wait to see the view of the Maroon Bells. We spent a good amount of the afternoon up there and planned to take the bus back down by 4:00pm. Up there we saw our first moose in the wild. It was exhilarating to see this beautiful creature from afar... saw it stand up + get in the water to wade a bit. We kept a safe distance and there was a ranger up there as well that blocked people from the trail close to where the moose was. On the first day we were up there, we decided not to do the hike up to Crater Lake. The next day, we went up (drove & parked w/ parking pass) earlier (around 7:30am) to enjoy the day there. It was absolutely breathtaking to see the views up there again. I have to say that the sky was clearer the next day, so the views were even more picturesque. Also, the moose from the day before was still there in his same spot! We also did the 1.5 mile hike to Crater Lake area. It was rugged, somewhat challenging, but so rewarding!! Watch for wild animals because there are plenty. Just remain vigilant and also respectful of their home. When we were walking up, we saw a sweet family deer (mom & her 2 fawn), but we kept our distance. When we got back down from our hike, we were so hungry & thirsty that we couldn't wait to have a picnic. There were some picnic tables next to Maroon Creek, so what better way to have lunch than sitting by the creek, while we listened to the peaceful sounds. I hope to be back there once again. I love that we were able to see one of most photographed peaks in the world + a 14er. Tip #2: Put your phone away (after reading this review) and ENJOY THE VIEW!! read more

Activity Type: Hiking Nearby City: Aspen Length: 16.8 total miles Elevation Gain: 4,924 feet Trail Type: Out-and-back Skill Level: Moderately strenuous Season: Early July to mid-October Trailhead Elevation: 9,500 feet Top Elevation: 12,462 feet Local Contacts: Aspen District, White River National Forest This trip was a day hike to Buckskin Pass. This trail leads over the high and spectacular divide between West Maroon and Snowmass Creeks, offering fabulous views of the Maroon Bells and Pyramid Peak. Buckskin Pass makes a fine day hike destination, and linkages with trails to Willow Lake, Snowmass Creek, and Trail Rider Pass. You will pass a waterfall before you will see a sign pointing to Buckskin and Willow Pass. Spectacular meadows and views after views of the peaks. Wild flowers and patches of snow just this past weekend made this place my new favorite. Move over Mt Bierstadt. You're now #2. This is a great destination pass Crater Lake. As you hike higher you will meet lesser and lesser people. Occasionally a group of Four Pass Loopers will cross your path and if you're like me pretty soon jealousy will start rearing its ugly head. The great thing about this particular adventure is that you don't need to prepare ahead for a permit. You self register and you're good to go! If you're doing a day hike be at the parking lot before 8am or you will have to take the bus and leave your car somewhere else. Four Pass Loop backpacking coming soon! read more

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One of the best things I did during my five day trip to Aspen this August! I had heard that Maroon Bells was a do not miss attraction in the Aspen area! So true! First off, you need a ticket for the bus that takes you from Aspen Highlands Ski Area to the Maroon Bells trailhead. (I got my bus ticket in Aspen, because I got a dual ticket for Maroon Bells and the Aspen Mountain Gondola. If you're going to be in Aspen for a few days, this is a good deal. You get three days' worth of gondola rides and some discounts at certain restaurants in town and the Sundeck - the restaurant at the top of Aspen Mountain.) You can also get your ticket at Aspen Highlands Ski Area. Our bus driver was kind of hilarious, and I was entertained throughout the ten or so minute ride up the road to the trailhead. When you get to the trailhead, there are bathrooms and water fountains and some seating (this is also where you wait for the bus to head back down to the Aspen Highlands Ski Area). Once you arrive, you are a short walk to Maroon Lake - which is incredibly scenic. For some people (especially if you are elderly or injured or just not up for a hike), this is as far as you go. It's very beautiful and worth it just to see Maroon Lake. I'd bring a book or a picnic and hang out on the perimeter of lake. And bring your camera of course. We decided to do the hike to Crater Lake. The hike is 1.8 miles each way (about 1 1/2 hours each way). It's listed as moderate difficulty, but this Nashville resident's lungs thought that it was pretty difficult! If you've been in town for a while or live at high altitudes, then maybe it is only moderate. But for those of you (like me) who live at sea level (I'm originally from North Texas), this will be an exercise for your lungs. I was panting and took quite a few stops to catch my breath. (It's also quite steep in areas of the hike.) The ending elevation of the hike is 10,076 feet (and, oh boy, did I feel it). It was worth it! Crater Lake is gorgeous! Simply beautiful! Of course, we got there and it started to POUR. We found a log under a tree and sat and watched the rain hitting the lake, before deciding to head back down (in the rain). Despite getting drenched and shivering all the way down, it was a great hike. It was good exercise for me! And so beautiful! Definitely a wonderful Aspen experience. I recommend it to anyone visiting Aspen for the first time! read more

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Really amazing experience that I recommend doing in the morning due to the weather. Sunrise is always beautiful and cooler than afternoon when the temperature reaches 80 - 90F. Also in the morning or late afternoon just before sunset you may find animals on the trails. Highly recommend doing it at this time! read more

Maroon Bells Peaks - Rock Climbing Near Me

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This has to be one of the most beautiful places in Colorado. A parking pass is $10 and it's good for 5 days. Not much else you need to know, except it's definitely worth the trip. read more

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I am so thankful I was able to come to Maroon Bells, it's been on my bucket list. I went on November 11, and they typically close for winter on November 15! I went on a weekday at 11 am, and there was absolutely no rush of people (probably because it was very cold). At the time I went, no reservation is necessary. The pictures aren't as beautiful as other times of the year, but it's still something. read more

Maroon Bells Peaks - Maroon Bells Peak in November - days before winter closing. - Rock Climbing Near Me

Beautiful snow capped peaks + Tour bus to take you into the park (cheap, and bypass's a lot of car traffic) + Knowledgeable guides to explore various aspects of the park, answer wildlife/wildflower/questions of any kind! + Great photo ops! (seriously! they do not disappoint) + Views for daysssssssssss ________________________________________ Great way to spend a day in Aspen! *TIP: We camped in Twin Lakes - which is just a short drive over to Aspen. Definitely worthy of a weekend getaway! read more

You want to go to a place, that has lakes, wildlife and stunning scenes, this is an amazing place. It's perfect for those who don't hike much and it is well traveled and easy to follow the trail. Recommend going with an ACES naturalist as you discover things you wouldn't without them. The Crater Lake hike is worth it for sure. Recommend going in July when the wildflowers are out, as we missed them by a few weeks in late August. This is for sure a worthy hike and will leave you thankful you came. read more

Maroon Bells Peaks - Final Destination - Rock Climbing Near Me

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We were staying in Basalt and on our last full day in Colorado, I made the 20 minute plus drive to Maroon Bells early in the morning. I found about 1/2 dozen other hearty souls, the temperature being 41 degrees at 6AM, on the shore of the lake. I can see why this is the most photographed site in Colorado. The wind was but a whisper so the mountain tops, Maroon Peak and North Maroon Peak, were clearly reflected in the lake. After taking an absurd number of photos, I proceeded to follow a trail along the circumference of the lake past an active beaver lodge and then along a creek until I reached a wooden bridge, realizing at that point to continue on would require trekking poles which were resting comfortably in the trunk of my rental car. As I departed at 7:50AM, a stream of were arriving, no doubt attempting to avoid the $10 tariff that is in place between 8AM and 5PM. read more

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