Margy's Hut via Johnston Creek Trail

McNamara Hut sits in the national forest on the slope of Bald Knob, with easy access to intermediate backcountry skiing and more challenging terrain further away. Built in 1982, it's one of the original huts in the 10th Mountain Division system along with Margy's Hut. The hut comes stocked with padded mattresses, wood stoves & fuel, propane burners, all cookware and utensils, some games/p...

This shady trail of switchbacks ascends steadily (over a thousand feet in under a mile) to a rock outcropping at 9,185 feet. Yes, you can expect your heart to be pounding and to be huffing and puffing as you climb Ute Trail. But the view of Aspen that rewards you is spectacular. The trail is pretty rocky, so hiking shoes or trail running shoes are recommended. You can still do it in regular sn...

Park at the Buttermilk Ski Area parking lot and begin your hike up the mountain at the bottom of the Summit Express chair lift. Follow the 4x4 dirt road the entire way up Buttermilk. There are other small hiking trails that you can follow too, and with the entire mountain being a ski area, it's simple enough to follow any of the ski runs uphill in the summer. However, if you want to keep it sim...

The Government Trail is beautiful and relaxing during spring and summer, but my favorite time to hike it is during fall because it goes through countless numbers of Aspen groves, which have turned a majestic yellow. After a moderate ascent for the first couple of miles, the trail become flat and peaceful for your viewing pleasure!The best way to access the trailhead is by parking at the Aspen R...

Being able to ski or snowboard the Highland Bowl requires a good set of lungs and legs. Accessing the 12,382-foot peak requires taking a couple of lifts from the base of Aspen Highlands Mountain (Exhibition then Loge Peak), then some serious leg work (expect a 30-60-minute hike). Some parts of the day there's a snowcat that will cut the hike down by a third.Hiking to the peak isn't necessary be...

From downtown Basalt, drive up the Fryingpan River Road 28 miles and turn right on CR #504, also known as Elliot Way, just before Norrie Colony. Drive across the river and up the switchbacks for approximately 3 miles. Take the left fork, continue 1 mile and take the right fork approximately 1/2 mile to the trailhead on the left side of the road.The hike from the trailhead to the lake is 0.8 mil...