Aspen Mountain (ski area)
| Aspen Mountain |
|---|
| Base elevation | 7,945 ft (2,422 m) |
| Skiable area | 673 acres (2.7 km2) |
| Runs | 76 total - 0% beginner - 48% intermediate - 26% advanced - 26% expert |
| Longest run | 3 miles (5 km) |
Typically, they start at the West Maroon Trail head near Schofield Pass on the Crested Butte side and walk 11 miles to the Maroon Bells Wilderness Area trail head outside of Aspen. Shortly after you cross the pass, you'll see the West Maroon Pass trail head on your right.
From DenverIn good conditions Denver to Crested Butte takes just around four hours. This can vary depending on the lead content of your foot and your penchant for gas guzzling and speeding tickets. If you're coming from Denver International Airport, hop on I-70 west, exit highway 470 west to route 285 south.
The West Maroon Creek Trail joins the West Maroon Pass Trail on a 10.45 mile thru-hike from Aspen to Crested Butte . This feature-filled route is highlighted by Maroon Lake, Crater Lake, West Maroon Pass and one of the finest wildflower displays in Colorado.
Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport
Gunnison/Crested Butte Airport
The
Maroon Bells offer several
hikes and some of the most beautiful scenery in
Colorado.
Maroon Bells Hike Snapshot.
| Hike Distance | Five Trails: 1 to 13 miles Round Trip – Depending on Trail |
|---|
| Difficulty | Easy to Moderate |
Conundrum Permit Requirement: A permit is required for overnight stays in Conundrum Hot Springs Zone. This permit must be acquired in advance at recreation.gov. For all other overnight trips to the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness registration is required at the trailhead.
HOW TO VISIT THE MAROON BELLS WITHOUT A RESERVATION
- RENT AN E-BIKE. Providing the most fun you'll have on two wheels, e-bikes are motorized bicycles that offer "pedal-assist" to riders.
- SIGN UP FOR A DOWNHILL BIKE TOUR. Blazing Adventures offers downhill bike tours that start at the Maroon Bells scenic area and descend Maroon Creek Road back to town.
A: Maroon Creek Road will open late on June 8, 2020 due to COVID-19 and personal vehicles are allowed from that date until the Maroon Bells Shuttle begins operating on July 1. All visitors are required to take the shuttle bus from Aspen Highlands between July 1 and October 11, 2020 between the hours of 8am and 5pm.
Private vehicles can drive up to the Bells before 8am and after 5pm. Each vehicle must pay $10 by cash or check only, and there is no guarantee that there is parking once cars reach the Maroon Bells, as the lot often fills up early with overnight hikers.
How much does it cost to visit Hanging Lake? A reservation to hike costs $12 per person. Hikers can choose between two options which include either self-drive and park in the Hanging Lake rest area or bike/hike through Glenwood Canyon to the trailhead.
While You VisitThe bathrooms located at the shuttle drop-off are closed for the 2020 season, so plan to use the restroom at Aspen Highlands or at the Maroon Bells day-use parking lot, located down from the shuttle drop-off.
Due to limited parking availability at Maroon Lake in the summer, Maroon Creek Road has personal vehicle restrictions to vehicular traffic July through October. For summer 2020, cars will be allowed to drive the road and park at the lake in June, although this policy is subject to change.
First, from Aspen you take the Castle/Maroon RFTA bus from Rubey Park Transportation Center (next to Rubey Park) in downtown Aspen. This bus is FREE and departs every 20 minutes starting on the hour. Take the Castle/Maroon bus to Aspen Highlands, get off, and get in line to transfer to the Maroon Bells Bus.
