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Snowmass, Colorado

Looking for the best backpacking in Snowmass? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Snowmass. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Backpacking Spots in and near Snowmass

  • 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...
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  • Aspen, Colorado

    Backpack to Copper Lake

    10 mi
    Looking for a wildflower hike, we decided on Copper Lake in the Maroon Bells Wilderness as a place to base camp for 4 nights. It is 5 miles from the Trailhead, which is off Gothic Road above Crested Butte (2WD Accessible).Copper Lake is this beautiful alpine lake, situated right at treeline, with...
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  • Crested Butte, Colorado

    Hike Rustler's Gulch

    5.0
    9 mi / 1748 ft gain
    From 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...
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  • Aspen, Colorado

    Hike Lost Man Loop

    5.0
    8.8 mi / 1290 ft gain
    This 8.8 mile "loop" is not a true loop and the trail ends 4 miles apart along Independence Pass, so a car shuttle is recommended. I would recommend starting at the west trailhead (closer to Aspen) but will describe both trailheads so you can set up another car or shuttle at the other one.1) West...
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  • Crested Butte, Colorado

    Conundrum Hot Springs via Copper Creek

    22.5 mi / 4000 ft gain
    Please 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...
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  • Independence, Ohio

    Hike Lost Man Pass via Independence Lake

    5.0
    4.5 mi / 1200 ft gain
    Park at the pull out just west of independence pass. From there, begin on the Linkin's Lake Trail. The trail is generally easy to follow (although it can be muddy as it is a wet area) and climbs 900 feet in the 1.8 miles to independence lake. From Independence lake it is about 0.5 miles and 400 f...
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  • Minturn, Colorado

    Hike to Fancy Pass

    5.0
    6 mi / 2373 ft gain
    The 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...
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  • Minturn, Colorado

    Backpack the High Alpine Seven Sisters Lake Chain

    12 mi / 1000 ft gain
    This 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 ...
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  • Minturn, Colorado

    Scramble the Halo Ridge on Mt. Holy Cross

    5.0
    15 mi / 5210 ft gain
    The 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...
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  • Leadville, Colorado

    Colorado Trail: Mount Elbert Trailhead to Twin Lakes

    8.49 mi / 1099 ft gain
    Colorado Trail: Mount Elbert Trailhead to Twin Lakes is a point-to-point trail that takes you by a lake located near Leadville, Colorado.
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  • Leadville, Colorado

    Ski Hut-to-Hut from Uncle Bud's to Skinner Hut

    5.0
    24.5 mi / 4700 ft gain
    The 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...
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  • Red Cliff, Colorado

    Ski to Fowler-Hilliard Hut

    6.5 mi / 2500 ft gain
    Fowler-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...
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  • Buena Vista, Colorado

    Hope Pass via Willis Gulch

    5.0
    8.75 mi / 3297 ft gain
    Hope 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...
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  • Leadville, Colorado

    Overnight at the Emma and Marceline Yurts, Leadville

    11 mi / 1200 ft gain
    Drive 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...
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  • Vail, Colorado

    Hike the Upper Piney River Trail

    4.0
    5.6 mi / 350 ft gain
    Beginning 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...
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  • Vail, Colorado

    Backpack to Bubble Lake

    3.0
    13 mi / 3600 ft gain
    The 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...
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