Aspen, Colorado
Looking for the best backpacking in Aspen? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Aspen. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top Backpacking Spots in and near Aspen
-
Carbondale, Colorado
Backpack the Lead King Basin Trail
4.5 mi / 2000 ft gainWe began our hike at the beginning of the afternoon after about two-three hours driving up the 14 mile road. The first mile of the trail was mild, turning into an uphill adventure. Lots of switchbacks, winding paths, and some tree coverage. By mile 2, we were on a steep grade the rest of the way....Read more -
Crested Butte, Colorado
Hike Rustler's Gulch
5.09 mi / 1748 ft gainFrom Crested Butte, continue 6 miles past the town of Gothic to Rustler's Gulch Road. Turn right on the road, cross the East River to get to a small parking area near the river. If you don't have 4WD, park here and hike another 1/2 mile to the trailhead. It's a pretty steep hike. If you do have 4...Read more -
Crested Butte, Colorado
Conundrum Hot Springs via Copper Creek
22.5 mi / 4000 ft gainPlease Note: Conundrum Springs camping requires an overnight permit. You must get a permit in order to camp at the springs. If you're looking for an incredibly challenging hike, Copper Creek to Triangle Pass to Conundrum Springs is the hike for you! When you plug in "Conundrum Springs" into you...Read more -
Basalt, Colorado
Camp at Thomas Lake and Summit Mt. Sopris
5.013 mi / 4400 ft gainWith the Elk Mountain range behind it, It appears to be standing by itself, and has the resemblance of a grand volcano.From Hwy 133 out of Carbondale, turn down Prince Creek Road and drive 6 miles to the trailhead. The trail is a nice mixture of meadows and woods, with excellent views of the vall...Read more -
Leadville, Colorado
Colorado Trail: Mount Elbert Trailhead to Twin Lakes
8.49 mi / 1099 ft gainColorado Trail: Mount Elbert Trailhead to Twin Lakes is a point-to-point trail that takes you by a lake located near Leadville, Colorado.Read more -
Basalt, Colorado
Backpack & Fish at Lake Charles
11 mi / 1700 ft gainI decided to make an Outbound listing for this because the AllTrails listing is incredibly inaccurate. Hopefully you're reading this one! Your adventure starts at the trailhead of Fulford Cave / Fulford Cave Campground in Yeoman Park. Yeoman Park is just past Sylvan Lake State Park and is consid...Read more -
Minturn, Colorado
Fancy Pass
5.06.54 mi / 2392 ft gainThe Fancy Pass Trail near Red Cliff is an excellent option for those looking to experience hiking in the rugged and pristine conditions of a wilderness area. This 6 mile roundtrip trail will take you into the Holy Cross Wilderness and up close and personal with towering peaks, verdant meadows, an...Read more -
Buena Vista, Colorado
Hope Pass via Willis Gulch
5.08.75 mi / 3297 ft gainHope Pass is accessed from the Willis Gulch trailhead about 25 miles outside of Leadville, Colorado. To get to the trail head, follow Highway 24 East for about 16 miles until you arrive at the junction for Highway 82. Turn right and follow Highway 82 for about 8.3 miles. You will see a sign on th...Read more -
Minturn, Colorado
Backpack the High Alpine Seven Sisters Lake Chain
12 mi / 1000 ft gainThis lake chain is in a spectacular, undeveloped bowl of jagged and rugged mountain goodness located in the Holy Cross Wilderness Area. This hidden gem is easily accessible and, to my amazement, it is relatively unheard of even among many locals. More wonderful perks included in this backpacking ...Read more -
Leadville, Colorado
Ski Hut-to-Hut from Uncle Bud's to Skinner Hut
5.024.5 mi / 4700 ft gainThe trek starts just outside of Leadville near Turquoise Lake at 9800 ft. The first day you'll travel 6.5 miles and gain 1700 ft. to Uncle Bud's Hut, which sits around 11,400 ft. The second day you'll ski 7.1 miles to Skinner Hut and gain 2100 ft, mostly in the last 3 miles after having dropped...Read more -
Buena Vista, Colorado
Hike Missouri Mountain
5.010.5 mi / 4500 ft gainGetting there: The trail begins at Missouri Gulch TH. If you are a car camper or are trying to snag a sunrise summit, there are many many drive off sites in trees and near water before and after the trailhead. The road to get to the trailhead is not paved, but is well maintained - a super high cl...Read more -
Leadville, Colorado
Overnight at the Emma and Marceline Yurts, Leadville
11 mi / 1200 ft gainDrive past the main downtown of Leadville and then head into the mountains south of town, following Mt. Sherman Road to the Yurt parking along a ridge before you come to the Black Cloud Mine. There are signs that say "Yurt Parking". Follow the road a little further down to a jeep road just before...Read more -
Minturn, Colorado
Scramble the Halo Ridge on Mt. Holy Cross
5.015 mi / 5210 ft gainThe Halo Ridge is by no means the easiest route to the summit of Mt. Holy Cross, but it is definitely the most interesting and scenic. You'll begin at the Half Moon (Tigiwon) trailhead, but instead of the popular Halfmoon Trail, you will start on the Fall Creek Trail as it leaves the campground.T...Read more -
Gypsum, Colorado
Explore Hardscrabble Mountain
Depending where you choose to access the Hardscrabble area from, this can be a fairly easy day hike or an overnight camping trip. If looking for a shorter day hike, access the Hardscrabble area by way of Hardscrabble Mountain Rd. From the town of Eagle, head South on Sylvan Lake Rd. In 5 miles, t...Read more -
Red Cliff, Colorado
Ski to Fowler-Hilliard Hut
6.5 mi / 2500 ft gainFowler-Hilliard hut sits at 11,500 ft on a forested ridge of Resolution Mountain, with easy access to intermediate and expert backcountry skiing right out the door. This newer hut was built in 2010 after the original hut burned down from a lightning strike. The hut comes stocked with padded mattr...Read more -
Buena Vista, Colorado
Backpacking to Kroenke Lake
9 mi / 2750 ft gainStarting at the North Cottonwood trailhead just outside of Buena Vista, Colorado. This hike will take you 4.5 miles to the lake with about 2750 feet of elevation gain. The hike is mostly mellow and you'll likely see hikers heading up to Horn Fork basin to hike Mt. Harvard and Columbia. Campsites ...Read more