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
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Buena Vista, Colorado
Ptarmigan Lake near Buena Vista
5.06.01 mi / 1608 ft gainWhen you begin the trail, make sure to choose the correct trailhead from the parking lot (located on the south side of the lot to the left, NOT behind the bathroom). From there, begin a moderate climb through a shaded fir forest to the tree line. Emerge in a meadow at a pond and the lower lake, ...Read more -
Buena Vista, Colorado
Backpack the Buffalo Peaks Wilderness Loop
5.011.7 mi / 2000 ft gainStarting at the Rich Creek Campground this wonderful moderate hike forms a loop by connecting the Rich Creek Trail and the Tumble Creek trail. in the Buffalo Peaks wilderness. Flanked by the Collegiate Peaks, in Spring and Summer the area is awash with rushing creeks, lush wet lowlands & deep...Read more -
Vail, Colorado
Hike the Upper Piney River Trail
4.05.6 mi / 350 ft gainBeginning at an elevation of 9,397 feet, this hike provides an easy 2.8 mile (one way) trip through the gorgeous meadows against the distant aspens and alpines. Wildflowers and wildlife are abundant, which make this trip a fantastic education and play experience for kids.Coordinates for the trail...Read more -
Vail, Colorado
Backpack to Bubble Lake
3.013 mi / 3600 ft gainThe Gore's are a rough and remote section of the Eagle's Nest Wilderness. What this trip may lack in overall miles, it more than makes up for in elevation gain, scrambling, boulder hopping, and overall hard miles on the trail. Every trip I have had the pleasure of taking into the Gore Range has...Read more -
Frisco, Colorado
Backpack the Colorado Trail: Copper Mountain to Hagerman Pass
39 miThe Colorado Trail (CT) runs for 483 miles from Denver to Durango, crossing through eight mountain ranges and passing through six wilderness areas. There are great resources on completing a thru-hike of the CT; this post is about Segments 8-9 of the CT from Copper Mountain to Tennessee Pass.These...Read more -
Frisco, Colorado
Ski to Janet's Cabin
6 mi / 1900 ft gainJanet's Cabin is located on the eastern slope of the Continental Divide at 11,610 ft, near Copper Mountain ski resort. This hut is one of the rare huts with not only a sauna but indoor bathrooms (composting pits)! The cabin was built in 1990 and due to the location helicopters were required to b...Read more -
Frisco, Colorado
Backpack to the Gore Range's Wheeler and Lost Lakes
4.510 mi / 2200 ft gainThe range offers many remote lakes and peaks which hikers can access from various points of entry. Wheeler and Lost Lakes lie within the boundaries of the Eagle's Nest Wilderness Area.The Gore Trail begins on the north side of the CO-91 pedestrian bridge over I-70. You will follow the trail up al...Read more -
Breckenridge, Colorado
Lower Crystal Lake via Crystal Creek Road
5.04.52 mi / 1624 ft gainTo get to the Crystal Lakes start at the Spruce Creek Trailhead. You can hike or drive to the Lower Crystal Lake along Crystal Creek Road. If you choose to drive, you will need a high clearance 4x4 vehicle as you follow along Crystal Creek Road. The road is steep, but when they get to the top it ...Read more -
Breckenridge, Colorado
Hike to & Stay at Francie's Cabin
5.01.09 mi / 1000 ft gainLocated at 11,360' and owned by the 10th Mountain Division Hut Association, Francies Cabin was built in memory of Frances Lockwood Bailey in 1994 and is located just a short distance (5 mile drive, 1.05 mile hike) from town of Breckenridge, Colorado. It has a summer and winter capacity of 20 peop...Read more -
Breckenridge, Colorado
Backpack & Fish The Mohawk Lakes
4.06.8 mi / 1940 ft gainThe trailhead is located a few miles out side of Breckenridge Colorado. The trail starts at 10,390' and the first two miles are spent walking through a mix of fir, aspen, and spruce trees until the trail goes parallel to Spruce Creek Road and eventually crosses it and continues over a small dam (...Read more -
Breckenridge, Colorado
Ski or Snowshoe to Section House Hut
5.06.25 mi / 1200 ft gainThere are a couple routes to Section Hut on Boreas Pass, but the best adds trekking through the forest on Baker's Tank trail. Starting at 10,350' at the TH, look for a trail in the woods that starts climbing relatively quickly. Follow this for about 2.5 miles to the junction with the road and B...Read more -
Breckenridge, Colorado
Camp at Boreas Pass
9 mi / 1500 ft gainBoreas pass is a high mountain pass in the Rocky Mountains that sits on the Continental Divide at 11,481'. Forest Service Road 33 goes over the pass and has numerous campsites all along its length, with several near the summit that feature breathtaking views of the Tenmile Range and the Breckenri...Read more -
Silverthorne, Colorado
Lily Pad Lake
4.73.27 mi / 531 ft gainLily Pad Lake is a well known destination just outside of Silverthorne and in the Eagle's Nest Wilderness. The trail may be heavily trafficked on the weekends, but solitude can still be found in the early mornings or during the weekdays. The trail starts at the Lily Pad Lake Trailhead, just to t...Read more -
Chaffee County, Colorado
Off-Trail Hike of Limestone Ridge
4.09 mi / 1000 ft gainFinding a winter or early spring adventure that won't take you deep into dangerous mountain territory, while still providing epic vistas, is a challenge in Colorado. There are a few 10,000' tall ranges that sometimes escape deep snow, which are inviting for a first step into the alpine wonderland...Read more -
Silverthorne, Colorado
Backpack to Upper Slate Lake
5.028 mi / 1386 ft gainStarting from the Rock Creek Trailhead parking lot, it is an up and down trek to Upper Slate Lake. The trail map states 10 miles each way, but accounting for switchbacks it ends up being closer to 14 long, hard miles.You will be among aspens and pines for the first half as you have a few moderate...Read more