Vail, Colorado
Top Spots in and near Vail
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Snowmass, Colorado
Capitol Lake via Capitol Ditch
5.012.28 mi / 2575 ft gainThe route to Capitol Lake is fairly straightforward, but not without its minor hardships. The route begins at the end of Capitol Creek Road, 9 miles from the small "town" of Snowmass (NOT Snowmass Village - that's the high-class ski resort). The last few miles of this road provide the first min...Read more -
Buena Vista, Colorado
Hike Huron Peak
5.06.5 miIf you have a 4WD vehicle, drive 2 miles from Winfield along a dirt road to the trailhead. If you don't have a suitable vehicle, you can park before the road gets rough and hike the rest of the road to the trailhead.Starting at 10560 feet of elevation, this 6.5 mile roundtrip hike begins its 3500...Read more -
Aspen, Colorado
Backpack Cathedral Lake
4.75.6 mi / 2000 ft gainCathedral Lake offers an excellent alternative to escape the crowds that swarm the Maroon Bells area, especially in the peak autumn season. The drive along Castle Creek Rd towards the abandoned ski town Ashcroft is lined with aspens showing off their golden hues. Parking at the trailhead is plent...Read more -
Carbondale, Colorado
Trail Run Mushroom Rock and Red Hill
5.03 miMushroom Rock sits high above Colorado Highway 82 overlooking the town of Carbondale. With huge views up the Crystal and Roaring Fork River Valleys, terrain that inspires more desert-Utah than Rocky-Mountain-Colorado, this recreation area feels like a getaway even when it is minutes from Main Str...Read more -
Grand Lake, Colorado
Camp at Stillwater Pass
4.6Some of my best nights in Colorado were spent in Stillwater Pass. There are numerous campsites with remade fire pits. I found this site when the Timber Creek Campground in Rocky Mountain National Park was full and I did not want to head back to Denver. There is a photo of a white plastic horse a...Read more -
Garfield County, United States
Hike the Devil's Causeway Loop
5.010.5 mi / 1550 ft gainCrossing the Devil's Causeway is a rite of passage for Colorado hikers. The dramatic exposure will terrify some and exhilarate others, but the loop offers much more than the short rocky expanse that's the draw for most people.The Approach: From the trailhead at Stillwater Reservoir, the East Fork...Read more -
Aspen, Colorado
Snowmass Lake via Maroon-Snowmass Trail
4.316.53 mi / 5023 ft gainFor the adventurous backpacker looking to get backcountry in central Colorado, the stunning beauty of the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness cannot be beaten. While the Maroon Bells just outside of Aspen might be the most photographed mountains in North America, the beauty is definitely rivaled by ...Read more -
Pitkin County, Colorado
Four Pass Loop in the Maroon Bells
4.825.99 mi / 7566 ft gainUpdates will be posted here. The Four Pass Loop begins at Maroon Lake, famous for its iconic view of the Maroon Bells (Maroon Peak and North Maroon Peak), deemed the “most-photographed spot in Colorado.” After taking in this majestic view, continue to walk down the Maroon Lake Scenic Trail unti...Read more -
Aspen, Colorado
Explore the Maroon Bells & Snowmass Wilderness
5.0The beautiful and iconic Maroon Bells-Snowmass wilderness is home to some of the most amazing scenery and adventures to be had in all of Colorado. It is world-famous for the Maroon Bells, two challenging 14ers just outside of Aspen, Colorado. The third 14er, Pyramid Peak is also considered a clas...Read more -
Aspen, Colorado
Relax at Maroon Lake
4.9The Maroon Bells are known around the world for being some of the most iconic, beautiful mountains in all of the United States. Even if you haven't heard of them, there's a chance you've seen them. And if you've seen them in person, it's likely you were there with 800+ of your closest friends.If ...Read more -
Aspen, Colorado
Car Camp at Maroon Lake
5.00.3 mi / 0 ft gainMaybe you've seen the photos a million times before - it's for good reason. Maroon Bells is just stunning. Watching the first rays of sunlight scratch the very top of Maroon Bells and slowly crawl their way down the massive slabs of granite is simply a must for the checklist. Taking in the sunris...Read more -
Aspen, Colorado
North Maroon Peak
8.08 mi / 4298 ft gainStart your hike at the parking lot/trailhead at the end of Maroon Creek Rd. Keep in mind that the road is closed from about 9am-8pm to traffic and is only accessible by shuttle bus during that time. You'll be wanting to get a very early start anyways, so it shouldn't be an issue. Your path begin...Read more -
Aspen, Colorado
Run the 4-Pass Loop in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness
27.1 mi / 8000 ft gain*The 4-Pass Loop likely won't be doable until July due to the heavy snowpack this year and wet slide danger on the steep pass approaches.Taking on the 4-pass Loop is no easy feat but completely worth the training and effort. The run starts at Maroon Lake and heads up to Crater Lake where the loo...Read more -
Aspen, Colorado
Backpack to Snowmass Creek in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness
13 miFor beginner backpackers or just those who can't take off 3-4 days to do the Four Pass Loop, there's still options near the iconic Maroon Bells. If you are planning to do an overnight at the Bells, you need to get there early or late - before 7:30 am or after 5 pm. The overnight lot fills quickl...Read more -
Aspen, Colorado
The Maroon Bells Traverse
14 mi / 5000 ft gainI do not want to encourage those who are not capable mentally or physically to go on this hike, that is how accidents happen. Confidence is a must. This route is loose, long, chossy and complicated. The exposure and shear milage covered make for a heck of a day! That being said, I suggest you do ...Read more -
Aspen, Colorado
Crater Lake via Maroon-Snowmass Trail
4.63.77 mi / 722 ft gainThe crater lake trail begins at Maroon Lake and quickly breaks off from the scenic trail at .3 miles. Be sure to follow the signs to crater lake, which will be heading higher into the valley. The trail passes through a beautiful Aspen grove most of the way with wonderful views of 14ers, the Maroo...Read more