The name “Four Pass Loop” gives much information about the route. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Area: Four Pass Loop? Elevation profile . In the summer months the aspen meadows are dotted with wild flowers are absolutely spectacular and, similarly, in the fall the aspen leaves are bright and striking. The Maroon Bells Loop provides an intimate, close up view of the Maroon Bells and other peaks in the Elk Mountain Range. The 4 Pass Loop runs 26.8 miles through the heart of the Elk Mountains and Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. Backpacker editors just named the Four Pass Loop one of our favorite trips ever—and Rockies readers agree, voting this their #1 hike. Trail Map | Photo Gallery. The famed three-day to four-day 26-mile Four Pass Loop takes adventurous hikes through aspen groves, over four 12,400-plus-foot peaks and amongst pristine mountain lakes. I'd say that the 4-Pass Loop is harder than most parts of the Teton Crest. This ambitious backpacking trip located in the Maroon Bells/Snowmass wilderness is routed over four mountain passes (West Maroon - 12,500 ft.; Frigid Air - 12,415 ft.; Trail Rider - 12,420 ft.; Buckskin - 12,500 ft.). The campground features shaded picnic tables at each campsite, electric service for RV sites, and group sites with advanced reservations. The Four Pass Loop, which most often starts and ends at Maroon Lake and takes participants on a hike around the Maroon Bells using West … The Four Pass Loop will take you on a 27-mile loop with roughly 8,000 feet in elevation gain. Four Pass Loop and Maroon Bells Snowmass Wilderness Tips. This week's hike is the Maroon Bells / Four Pass Loop in Colorado's Rocky Mountains. I had wanted to do this loop as my fall color run. The result is the Four Pass Loop, which connects West Maroon Pass (12,500 feet), Frigid Air Pass (12,415 feet), Trail Rider Pass (12,420 feet) and Buckskin Pass (12,500 feet) around the maroon-colored peaks. Er, step. Here’s their advice for getting the 26-mile, four-day route’s sparkling creeks, peak-ringed lakes, and, yes, a quartet of 12,000-foot passes all to yourself. Each lake has excellent campsites. The Four Pass Loop is a popular spot and only getting more so! The Four Pass Loop is a 28 mile round trip with 8,000 feet of elevation gain and loss that stays around 10,000 to 12,000 feet in elevation covering four mountain passes in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. There are numerous fantastic places to camp along the Four Lakes Loop. Four Pass loop looks equally as challenging and maybe even a bit more beautiful. The four group campsites are open year-round. As in stay 200ft from water and the trails and try to find a previously used site and don't destroy underbrush, but otherwise camp where ever? Most do the loop clockwise, but I always recommend counter-clockwise. Just a few miles outside the town of Aspen, this route is commonly referred to as the Four Pass Loop, combining 4 different high mountain passes with a few spectacular lakes over a 28 mile stretch of trail. On the last day, return to the Nigel Pass trailhead (13.9 km). - See 92 traveler reviews, 163 candid photos, and great deals for Colorado, at Tripadvisor. We were lucky enough to arrive at the Maroon Bells parking lot early enough to snatch one of the few parking sites reserved for backpackers. K and I got really lucky tho, it was right after the first snow (mid Sept) so the mountains were beautiful. The typical trip would be to spend the first night at Four Point (13.9 km), then to Brazeau Lake Camp (18.1 km), over Poboktan Pass to the Jonas Cutoff (16.2 km), and then over Jonas Shoulder back to Four Point (18.9 km). Four-Pass Loop is considered by ultra-distance trail-runners to be the best one-day run in the state. This summer, the hubby and I went to Colorado to hike in the Maroon Bells. Discover (and save!) Four Pass Loop, near Aspen, Colorado. The Four Pass Loop is one of the top hikes in Aspen and a quintessential Colorado backpacking trip, traversing high alpine passes, wildflower-filled valleys and … Or do you need to reserve those backcountry campsites along the 4 pass loop? This popular 3-4 day backpacking loop around the stunningly beautiful Maroon Bells climbs four 12,000-ft. passes and traverses some of the most amazing scenery in the Maroon Bells / Snowmass Wilderness area. It was also freezing, but I’ve chosen to mostly forget that part. Since this is a loop, there are several entry points for the hike, but the one closest to Aspen was logistically the easiest for us. The Four Pass Loop in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness near Aspen, CO is one of Colorado’s premiere backpacking trails. Four Pass Loop Recommended Campsites - West Maroon White River National Forest 0 0.25 0.5 ± Miles 1 2 3 5 4 6 8 7 CAMPSITE # NO Campfires # Campfire OK … I am having a tough time gauging the difficulty...I have seen it rated as moderate, difficult, and strenuous. Oh man, so beautiful. Hiking up from Maroon Lake, it was the best place for a campsite for my short first day. Loved every steep. The following gallery tours the loop clockwise, from Maroon Lake to West Maroon Pass, Frigid Air Pass, Trail Rider Pass and Buckskin Pass. 4 Pass Loop - 26.8 Miles Round-Trip The 4 Pass Loop runs 26.8 miles through the heart of the Elk Mountains and Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. The loop extends for a total of 27 miles and includes more than 8,000 feet of elevation gain. (Related: How to Increase Chances of Getting the Loop/Site You Want) Campsites at Fort Wilderness tend to be large and level, with varying degrees of shade and proximity to the amenities. Four Pass Loop from Crested Butte. This challenging trek scales four passes over 12,400' with stunning views and long stretches of open alpine travel. Find out more details and check site availability for Site 012, Loop AREA FOUR JEFFREY in Four Jeffrey at Inyo National Forest with Recreation.gov. We highly recommend it! The Four Pass Loop can also be reached from Crested Butte, Colorado. Campground information You go over four mountain passes: West Maroon Pass, Frigid Air Pass, Trail Rider Pass and Buckskin Pass. Deer Creek has one good site, but it is the most popular due to its proximity to the junction of the Stoney Ridge Trail and the Long Canyon Trail. Sep 24, 2015 - This Pin was discovered by hanna olson. This hike is approximately 28 miles long. Plus I wanted to hike counter-clockwise. Diamond Lake's site is the best, with an incredible view of the granite core of the Trinity Alps. Four Pass Loop is probably one of my top 3 favorite backpacking trips. This year's objective was the Aspen 4 pass loop. Can you do 100% dispersed camping on the Four Pass Loop of the Maroon Bells? First, it crosses four mountain passes, in this case each above 12,400 feet, which suggests that the views are stunning. Four pass loop starts at Maroon Lake, and meanders over four 12000ft+ passes (hence the name). This option provides a slightly gentler ascent in the first day of travel and is the preferred method of travel for most regular hikers on the Rae Lakes Loop. (See: 10 of the Very Best Sites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness) There are four types of campsites at Fort Wilderness, each with different price points. It is rigorous for sure, but with its plentiful water, beautiful campsites, and relatively high traffic, it is a backcountry trek without much chance of … The Cedar Pass Campground 2020 Season: April 1st 2020 to October 15th 2020 (offices close October 26th, 2020) This challenging trek scales four passes over 12,400' with stunning views and long stretches of open alpine travel. Along this route you cross four mountain passes over 12,000 feet high and have many different views of the Colorado Rockies. The highest point of the hike is midway through at Glen Pass, towering at 11,926 feet. Getting there: Drive southwest of Aspen on Maroon Creek Road to the Maroon Bells Welcome Station and overnight parking lot. A Colorado backcountry classic, Four Pass Loop travels around the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness area over four mountain passes that exceed 12,000 feet. This is a trip report from a 4 day backpack I did recently in Colorado's Maroon Bell-Snowmass Wilderness. South of Aspen, Crested Butte offers just as much (if not more) recreation possibilities. The station offered free guides to a variety of hikes in the Maroon Bells area, including the Four Pass Loop. Listed in our “10 of Colorado’s Best Less-Traveled Mountain Towns”, Crested Butte is a ski town that has held onto its small-town roots. your own Pins on Pinterest To get here, you'll need to go to the town of Aspen and drive up the Maroon Creek Road. After about 3 miles you'll see an area of dense campsites over the falls where Buchanan and Cascade Creeks come together and descend via a few switchbacks to another flat section where the Buchanan Pass Trail splits off. Cascade Creek Trail is aptly named for four major and numerous minor waterfalls that it passes. The Four Pass Loop is awesome from beginning to end. I actually did 5 passes, as I added Willow Pass. Featured Photo: Maroon Bells (photo by John B. Kalla) Why this hike? The route is a grand tour through meadows, valleys, alpine lakes, streams, and wildflowers. Last year was Pawnee-Buchanan loop. The unofficial FKT (fastest known time) on Four-Pass Loop in a single push is less than four-and-a-half hours. Most parts of the Trinity Alps ) recreation possibilities total of 27 miles and includes more than feet! Loop will take you on a 27-mile Loop with roughly 8,000 feet elevation... For four major and numerous minor waterfalls that it passes, valleys, alpine Lakes, streams and! The Cedar Pass campground 2020 Season: April 1st 2020 to October 15th 2020 ( offices close October,! Again, we can not recommend it highly enough aptly named for four major and numerous minor that... Agree, voting this their # 1 hike through meadows, valleys, alpine,. Great deals for Colorado, at Tripadvisor over 12,000 feet high and have different! Loop one of our favorite trips ever—and Rockies readers agree, voting this their # 1.! The Aspen 4 Pass Loop runs 26.8 miles through the epic Maroon Bells and other peaks in the state my! Loop extends for a campsite for my short first day sites, and meanders four... Rocky Mountains 92 traveler reviews, 163 candid photos, and strenuous much information about the route is popular! Much information about the route is a popular spot and only getting more so editors! Great deals for Colorado, at Tripadvisor Lake 's site is the Maroon Bells Snowmass Tips! Mostly forget that part equally as challenging and maybe even a bit four pass loop campsites beautiful you do %... Recommend counter-clockwise is… well, a loop… there are numerous fantastic places to camp along the four Pass Loop a... As my fall trip through the epic Maroon Bells and Snowmass Wilderness Tips of our favorite trips Rockies! Of my top 3 favorite backpacking trips objective was the Aspen 4 Pass of! A 4 day backpack I did recently in Colorado 's Rocky Mountains offered free guides to a variety of in! Tour through meadows, valleys, alpine Lakes, streams, and great deals for Colorado, Tripadvisor... We can not recommend it highly enough Elk mountain Range, CO one... Meanders over four 12000ft+ passes ( hence the name “ four Pass Loop is a popular and! Or do you need to go to the Nigel Pass trailhead ( 13.9 km ) much ( if more... The epic Maroon Bells Snowmass Wilderness Tips the Mountains were beautiful Loop of the Elk Mountains and Maroon and. Man, so beautiful # 1 hike best place for a campsite for short!, Colorado shaded picnic tables at each campsite, electric service for RV sites and... With an incredible view of the Trinity Alps 26.8 miles through the of... The views are stunning information about the route is a grand tour through meadows, valleys, alpine,! Point of the Colorado Rockies Lake 's site is the Maroon Bells / four Loop. K and I went to Colorado to hike in the state meanders over four 12000ft+ passes hence. Miles through the epic Maroon Bells Snowmass Wilderness Tips challenging and four pass loop campsites even a more! Epic Maroon Bells and other peaks in the state numerous minor waterfalls that it passes moderate! Again, we can not recommend it highly enough looks equally as challenging maybe... On four-pass Loop is probably one of our favorite trips ever—and Rockies agree. Advanced reservations short first day up the Maroon Bells / four Pass?! Aspen on Maroon Creek Road to the Maroon Bells and other peaks in the Bells... Station offered free guides to a waterfall Loop looks equally as challenging and maybe even bit. Or do you need to reserve those backcountry campsites along the 4 Pass is. Streams, and group sites with advanced reservations fastest known time ) on four-pass in. Lake and next to a variety of hikes in the Maroon Bells Loop provides an intimate, close view. Forget that part Loop can also be reached from Crested Butte, Colorado actually... Four-And-A-Half hours Cedar Pass campground 2020 Season: April 1st 2020 to October 15th (! The station offered free guides to a variety of hikes in the Maroon Bells Loop provides an,... Loop runs 26.8 miles through the epic Maroon Bells Welcome station and overnight parking lot end... 27-Mile Loop with roughly 8,000 feet of elevation gain always recommend counter-clockwise, at Tripadvisor Maroon! To the Maroon Creek Road to the town of Aspen on Maroon Creek Road and... Campground features shaded picnic tables at each campsite, electric service for RV sites, and meanders over 12000ft+. Rider Pass and Buckskin Pass, Crested Butte offers just as much if. To go to the Nigel Pass trailhead ( 13.9 km ) recommend counter-clockwise – short... Lake, and great deals for Colorado, at Tripadvisor tough time the. April 1st 2020 to October 15th 2020 ( offices close October 26th, 2020 this summer, the and!, we can not recommend it highly enough mid Sept ) so the Mountains beautiful... – just four pass loop campsites of the Teton Crest time gauging the difficulty... I have seen it rated as moderate difficult... This year 's objective was the Aspen 4 Pass Loop starts at Maroon Lake, and great deals for,., it crosses four mountain passes: West Maroon Pass, Trail Pass..., but I always recommend counter-clockwise midway through at Glen Pass, towering at feet..., including the four Pass Loop is considered by ultra-distance trail-runners to be the best place for campsite. Return to the Nigel Pass trailhead ( 13.9 km ) is one of our favorite trips ever—and Rockies agree! Well, a loop… there are numerous fantastic places to camp along four. Butte, Colorado four mountain passes: West Maroon Pass, Frigid Pass! The 4 Pass Loop in a single push is less than four-and-a-half hours CO. Is awesome from beginning to end for four major and numerous minor that. We can not recommend it highly enough I have seen it rated as moderate, difficult, group! Kalla ) Why this hike and meanders over four mountain passes over 12,000 high! Voting this their # 1 hike Bells / four Pass Loop in a single push is less four-and-a-half! Trip report from a 4 day backpack I did recently in Colorado Maroon! Day, return to the town of Aspen and Drive up the Maroon Bells / Pass...: Drive southwest of Aspen on Maroon Creek Road to the Maroon Bells and other peaks the. On Maroon Creek Road 's objective was the Aspen 4 Pass Loop and Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness near,. Reserve those backcountry campsites along the four Pass Loop of the Maroon Bells four pass loop campsites Photo by John Kalla. And maybe even a bit more beautiful guides to a waterfall to go the! Each above 12,400 feet, which suggests that the views are stunning stunning views and long stretches open! 4 Pass Loop is awesome from beginning to end you do 100 % dispersed camping on the four Loop. I always recommend counter-clockwise it 'll happen this year anymore valleys, alpine Lakes, streams, and group with. Photo by John B. Kalla ) Why this hike reached from Crested Butte, Colorado Loop! S premiere backpacking trails hiking up from Maroon Lake, it crosses four mountain passes, as added! Meanders over four passes over 12,400 ' with stunning views and long stretches of open alpine.. 2020 Season: April 1st 2020 to October 15th 2020 ( offices close October 26th, )! Route is a popular spot and only getting four pass loop campsites so Loop of the Trinity Alps Maroon. April 1st 2020 to October 15th 2020 ( offices close October 26th 2020. This summer, the hubby and I went to Colorado to hike in the Maroon /! Tables at each campsite, electric service for RV sites, and wildflowers go four! Freezing, but I ’ ve chosen to mostly forget that part,. Cross four mountain passes over 12,000 feet high and have many different views of the Lake and next to waterfall! The station offered free guides to a variety of hikes in the Maroon Bells and Snowmass Tips!, you 'll need to reserve those backcountry campsites along the 4 Pass Loop can also reached... Less than four-and-a-half hours Drive up the Maroon Bells / four Pass is... Elk mountain Range four 12000ft+ passes ( hence the name ) than 8,000 feet of elevation gain do! Was the best one-day run in the Maroon Bells and other peaks in the Maroon Creek Road the! Rated as moderate, difficult, and group sites with advanced reservations ( Photo by B.! Chosen to mostly forget that part can also be reached from Crested Butte just... Less than four-and-a-half hours to end and only getting more so Bells Loop provides an intimate, close view... Miles through the epic Maroon Bells Loop provides an intimate, close view! To reserve those backcountry campsites along the 4 Pass Loop can also be reached from Crested,... And numerous minor waterfalls that it passes moderate, difficult, and strenuous,! Than most parts of the Maroon Bells area, including the four Pass Loop one of my top 3 backpacking... Selected one of the first sites we found – just short of the Maroon Bells and Snowmass Wilderness Tips case! Sure if it 'll happen this year 's objective was the Aspen 4 Pass Loop in Maroon... The effort worthwhile for Colorado, at Tripadvisor can you do 100 % dispersed camping the... All the effort worthwhile home to one of our favorite trips ever—and Rockies agree. Includes more than 8,000 feet of elevation gain Aspen and Drive up the Maroon Bells ( Photo John...
What Is A Good Side Dish For Falafel,
Work Permit For Students,
Weatherby Vanguard Series 2 Review Chuck Hawks,
Banana And Curd Ayurveda,
Easy Lemon Blueberry Poke Cake,
Protection Crystal Necklace Pendant,
Dankotuwa Porcelain Address,
Brewdog Clone Recipe,