Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
DON'T MISS
MAROON BELLS
If you have but one day to enjoy a slice of pristine wilderness, you'd be wise to spend it in the shadow of Color-
ado's most iconic mountains: the pyramid-shaped twins of North Maroon Peak (14,014ft) and South Maroon
Peak (14,156ft). The parking area spills onto the shores of Maroon Lake, an absolutely stunning picnic spot
backed by the towering, striated summits. The surrounding wilderness area contains nine passes over 12,000ft
and six 14ers. Some jut into jagged granite towers, others are a more generous slope and curve, nurturing a series
of meadows that seem to gleam from the slopes.
The most important thing to know when visiting the Maroon Bells is that you can't just drive in and park your
car whenever you want - this area sees some 20,000 visitors each summer, hence access is strictly controlled. The
road in is only open to outside traffic from 5pm to 9am ($10 access fee) from mid-June to September; the major-
ity of visitors will need to park at or take an RFTA bus to the Aspen Highlands (half-mile west of Aspen on Hwy
82) and then take a
shuttle
(Aspen Highlands; adult/child $6/4; 9am-4:30pm daily Jun 15-Aug, Fri-Sun Sep-
Oct 6). Exceptions to the road closure include visitors with disabilities and campers at any of the three USFS
campgrounds off Maroon Creek Rd. The access road is not plowed in winter, when you can cross-country ski in
to Maroon Bells Lake.
Hikes
You can spend an hour up here or several days: the choice is yours. Free guided naturalist hikes are led by ACES
(
Click here
)
guides daily at 10:15am and 1:15pm, leaving from the visitors center. The one-hour walk along the
shore of Maroon Lake is the best choice for novice hikers. Assemble 10 minutes before each departure.
ACES also runs a more strenuous trip to
Crater Lake
, leaving at the same times. If you're in reasonable shape,
though, you might as well do this one yourself. Although steep in spots, it's only 1.8 miles one-way, making for a
nice, short day hike. Surrounded by gorgeous sculpted peaks and fed by a creek flowing down from the high
country, the setting is stunning, though the lake itself is shallow in late summer. If you're hungry for a little bit
more altitude, we suggest pressing on to
Buckskin Pass
(12,462ft; 4.8 miles one-way). From the narrow granite
ledge you can see mountains erupt in all directions. If you continue over the pass for three additional miles you'll
wind up at Snowmass Lake, a terrific campsite.
Alternatively, you can diverge from the Buckskin Trail and head over Willow Pass (12,600ft) and camp at
Wil-
low Lake
(11,795ft; 6.5 miles one-way). Views are marvelous the entire way, especially at the top where you can
see the Continental Divide.
As is the usual protocol in the Rockies, it's best to get below treeline before noon, as afternoon lightning is a
real danger.
Drinking & Nightlife
BREWERY
Aspen Brewing Co
(
www.aspenbrewingcompany.com
;
304 E Hopkins Ave; noon-late; )
With six signature flavors and a
sun-soaked balcony facing the mountain, this is definitely the place to unwind after a hard
day's play. Brews range from the flavorful This Year's Blonde and high-altitude
