Aspen Colorado, A guide to Maroon Bells and Hiking Crater Lake

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Considered to be the most photographed mountains in all of North America, Maroon Bells located just outside of downtown Aspen is a great way to spend a day trip or weekend in Colorado, especially in the fall! It’s a bit of a process to get there because it’s such a sought out destination. However, once you get there, it’s definitely worth it.

In this post I’ll be going over how to get to Maroon Bells, parking, what to expect, trail details, and best times to visit. Alright lets do thisssss.

The Maroon Peaks straight ahead are both above 14,000 Feet

How to get to the Maroon Bells and what to know about parking

Parking

Located off of Maroon Creek Road (6 miles from Aspen), to access the Bells you either have to make a parking reservation or a shuttle reservation during the Spring, Summer, and Fall months.

Parking reservations are required from Mid May to the end of October while shuttle reservations are required from early June through late October. The parking is tricky, and to alleviate some of the hassle with specific time windows, Aspen offers a 24 hour reservation option and two day option as well. As long as the road is open it will always cost $10 to park. Maroon Creek Road will close in November when the snow starts to fall. After November 1, no parking reservations are required, however you are still required to pay the $10 fee!

Once the road closes for winter you can access the Bells by snowmobile, cross country skis, and snow shoes. The road will be about 7 miles from T-Lazy-7 ranch.

If you decide to take a shuttle you’ll park at Aspen Highlands. It’s $5/hour or $40/day for parking. Weekends and peak times such as fall, you’ll want to plan ahead and arrive to Aspen Highlands early to get a parking spot. Once you park you’ll check in at Guest Services above the parking area, where the buses are stationed. Aspen suggests that you arrive 45 min before your reservation time to check-in and get your shuttle ticket. The shuttle ride is about 20 minutes to Maroon Bells. Make sure to not miss the last shuttle on the way back!

If you end up driving, the parking lot is at the end of Maroon Creek Road. They will have a separate lot for overnight parking. For more information visit the USDA Forest Service website. Parking reservations fill up quickly, so I would plan weeks in advance if you are deciding to go that route. For Fall foliage make your parking reservation in May, the day of the reservation window opening for September and October.

To make a shuttle or parking reservation visit the Aspen Chamber of Commerce website.

Directions

Please Note, Independence Pass Closes during the winter months usually around the beginning of November

As mentioned above, Maroon Bells and the Crater Lake trail are located off of Maroon Creek Road, past Aspen Highlands Ski Resort. There are two ways to access Aspen during the Spring, Summer and Fall months and that is on I-70 and Independence Pass. Independence Pass is the most scenic route going over the Continental Divide and is 32 miles long between Leadville and Aspen. Below I’ve listed distances and average times from Major areas in Colorado to Aspen Highlands via I-70. For flying, there will be an airport near Buttermilk ski resort, not far from downtown Aspen.

Denver- 198 miles/3.5 hours

Boulder- 204 miles/4 hours

Evergreen- 181 miles/3 hours twenty minutes

Summit County- 132 miles/2.5 hours

Vail- 102 miles/2 hours

History of the Maroon Bells

Created millions of years ago from the Tectonic Plate movement the Maroon Bells and Crater Lake are part of the White River National Forest and also the Elk Mountain Range. The name is derived by the shape of the rock formations and the color (maroon) when the light hits the peaks at the right time.

In the late 1800’s there was a Silver Boom in Colorado and interesting enough Silver is what founded the town of Aspen. However, the town didn’t bring world wide publication until the 1950’s when Aspen became a resort town. As tourism picked up so did trips to the Maroon Bells.

In 1964 the Wilderness Act protected areas like the Bells and Crater Lake.

The two peaks that make up the Maroon Bells are the Maroon Peak and North Maroon Peak.

What makes Maroon Bells so special

The rock that makes up most of the Maroon Bells is a red shale and lighter siltstone called, the Maroon Formation. The maroon color that you see is derived from very small iron particles that have been oxidized (rusted). The formation of these peaks was caused from sea bed deposits over 290 million years ago that were compressed and then elevated with the rest of the Rocky Mountains. These rock formations in the Aspen area are over 3 miles thick. Due to the fact that this kind of rock is brittle and soft, it can break easily, so be careful if you decide to hike in the Aspen Area, especially fourteeners!

Best time to Visit Maroon Bells and Crater Lake

Spring through late October are the best times to visit. Crater Lake is usually dried out by October, as was the case when we went. Honestly, it was still a beautiful hike and the area surrounding Crater Lake is amazing for photography. The best time to hike Crater lake would be in the summer and Fall (June-October). Fall in Aspen is an amazing time to visit because of the fall foliage and leaves changing. This time of year will bring a lot of crowds, so book ahead if you plan on visiting in the Fall!

Late Fall and Late Spring (May and October) are better times to visit if you want to avoid larger crowds. The other cool part about late spring is there is still snow on the peaks and late fall is when Colorado starts to get snow dustings. I think it adds a different/unique perspective to the peaks.

As mentioned above you can still access Maroon Bells during the winter, however one thing to keep in mind is Avalanche Danger when traveling on Maroon Creek Road with snow.

If you are looking to shoot photos of the peaks, the best time to do that is early in the morning, right before the sun gets too harsh. Google Maroon Bells and a lot of beautiful photos of the peaks will pop up.

Is Maroon Bells Dog Friendly

Dogs are allowed they just have to be on a leash at all times due to surrounding wildlife that can show up in the area!

Does it cost anything to Visit Maroon Bells

As mentioned above parking will cost $10 on Maroon Creek road and also $5/hour at Aspen Highlands ($40 for the day)

Biking on Maroon Creek Road is free.

The Shuttle is $16 for adults and $10 for seniors over 65 and kids under 12.

What to Expect and Trail Details

Shuttle busses run every 15 minutes with the last one picking up people at 5pm to head back to Aspen Highlands, make sure not to miss the last bus! Otherwise it’s a nine mile walk back with almost no cell service.

There are couple of trails for day hikes at Maroon Bells with the first one being Maroon Bells Scenic Loop and the next one being Crater Lake. Although Crater Lake was listed as a moderate hike on All Trails, I would rate it as a more challenging hike because of how rocky it was and technical in areas. There was also snow and ice when we hiked it which made the hike even more challenging.

Maroon Bells Scenic Loop

This is a pretty easy scenic trail that goes around Maroon Lake. At times, you will be walking through Aspen trees. Great for families with younger kids or people looking for an easier trek.

• Distance- 1.9 Mile Loop

• Elevation Gain- 160 ft

• Difficulty- easy

Crater Lake

This hike was more challenging then expected. Pretty Rocky and steep at times. You walk through a wooded area at first with mountain views to the left of Pyramid Peak. Towards the top on the right you will see the Sievers Mountain range. As you get towards the top you’ll have breathtaking 365 degree views of the Maroon Bells and the Elk Mountain Range. Awesome hike and I highly recommend using hiking footwear and hiking poles. I saw a number of people with improper footwear and clothing. With improper footwear on a trail like this, you might risk an injury.

• Distance- 3.8 Miles out and back

• Elevation Gain- 688 Feet

• Difficulty- Moderate to difficult

Where is there a good place to stay in Aspen

Snowmass- In the fall, rates here will be cheaper then in downtown Aspen. There’s also other surrounding trails in the Snowmass area if you plan on staying for longer then 1 night. One of my favorite trails was right by the hotel I was staying in called Spiral Point, a must hike for sunset! I booked a room at Stonebridge Inn as they had parking on site, a restaurant, pool/hot tub area, and fitness center. It was about a 20 Minute drive to the Maroon Bells as well as downtown Aspen.

Downtown Aspen

I get it if you want to be in downtown Aspen because it is a cool spot to grab some food, walk around, shop, and enjoy the fall colors around town. The St Moritz Lodge will be on the more inexpensive end for overnight stays with Limelight, The Little Nell, and Hotel Jerome being on the more luxurious side for lodging. There are also a number of awesome options on VRBO.

Is there Camping nearby the Maroon Bells and Crater Lake

Yep, there are campgrounds located near the Bells that will be along Maroon Creek Road. These are popular campgrounds that need to be booked months in advance! The three campgrounds are Silver Bell, Silver Bar, and Silver Queen. Parking at the Bells is included with a campsite reservation, grab your parking pass or print out the camp reservation when driving to the Maroon Bells. Head over to recreation.gov to make a campsite reservation.

Where is a good place to grab something to eat in Aspen

Most restaurants in Aspen will be on the more expensive side. Probably one of the best restaurants in Aspen is the White House Tavern. Located in an old historic building on the corner of Hopkins and Monarch; the ambience, music, simple menu, and amazing food make this a great spot to grab something to eat after a day of hiking.

What to pack

Hiking boots- If you plan on hiking up to Crater Lake, these are a must have. Make sure your hiking boots or footwear have good traction and support.

Hiking Shorts and/or Pants-Not needed, but it’s nice to have some lightweight and breathable clothing when hiking around Maroon Bells or up to Crater Lake.

Rain Jacket- Burton makes a number of awesome jackets, that will keep you dry in case weather rolls through

Lightweight Puffy- Especially if you go in the fall like I did, a down jacket will keep you warm when the temps are low

Water Bottle- Stay Hydrated while hiking!

Maroon Bells Quick tips

• Book reservations when the booking window opens, months in advance for Peak times, especially fall

• Pack the proper hiking footwear and outdoor clothing

• Sunrise-early morning is the best time for Photography

• Leave no trace

• For shuttles, never miss the last bus back

Looking to visit Aspen in the winter for skiing or snowboarding? Check out Aspen Highlands and what you need to know when Hiking Highlands Bowl. Thanks for checking out the blog and I’ll see you on the next post!

Everything to know about Wolf Creek Ski Resort, A complete Guide

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Skiing and snowboarding can be dangerous activities, please ride within your ability levels and respect others around you

Located in Southern Colorado, Wolf Creek is a hidden gem off the beaten path just outside of South Fork and Pagosa Springs. This mountain region will produce snow storms that no other resort in the state of Colorado comes close to getting, which is why it becomes a sought out destination for powder seeking skiers and snowboarders. The average annual snowfall alone is 430 Inches!

What I love about Wolf Creek’s Ski resort is the mom and pop vibes, cheap lodging, affordable lift tickets, and being able to ride most of the resort in 1-2 days. When no other resorts in Colorado seem to be getting snow, you can always count on a good storm to roll through this place, leaving a smile on your face from first chair to last. In this post I’ll be going over how to get Wolf Creek, where to stay, what to know, best time to go, favorite areas of the mountain, and what to pack. Alright, let’s goooo!

Where is Wolf Creek Located and How to get there

As mentioned above Wolf Creek is located in Southern Colorado in the San Juan Mountain region and the Rio Grande National Forest. Sandwiched between Pagosa Springs and South Fork, this resort sits at the top of Wolf Creek Pass on 1,581 acres of National Forest Land. There is only one road that goes through to get to Wolf Creek with the Durango Airport being the closest area to fly into. Below I’ve listed mileage and average times from certain parts of Colorado. Please Note, That Wolf Creek Pass can get pretty icy and snowy during winter months with low visibility. PLEASE plan your trip accordingly which includes good tires, brakes, emergency kit, food/water, blankets and enough wiper fluid in your car. Also, remember to follow the State of Colorado Traction laws. This information can be found on the Colorado Department of Transportation website. Below are some travel times by vehicle from different areas in Colorado.

Durango Airport: 80 miles/1.5 hours

Denver: 252 Miles/4.5 Hours

Summit County: 200 miles/3.75 hours

Eagle County: 235 miles/4 hours 20 min

Colorado Springs: 229 miles/4 hours

Flagstaff Arizona: 389 miles/7 hours

Where to Stay

South Fork is the town right outside of Wolf Creek and it takes about 20-30 minutes (17 Miles) to the resort depending on weather. Pagosa Springs is the other town on the west side of the resort (24 Miles). Both areas will have motels, cabins, Inns, Bed/breakfast, and resort lodging options. The lodging is fairly inexpensive compared to other ski resorts in Colorado. I really liked staying at the Wolf Creek Ranch Ski Lodge. Close to the resort and nice rooms. Also in South Fork if you like Tiny Homes, there’s Tiny Timbers.

If you stay in Pagosa Springs, it is more of a town with breweries, restaurants, and shops, however if Wolf Creek gets a lot of snow the pass will typically close on that side of the highway and you won’t be able to get to the mountain as early.

Does Parking cost anything

Parking is free and there are a handful of free lots. The Upper Lot at the Base fills up quick and there aren’t a lot of spots. However there are Lower Lots that have shuttle services operating that will take you to the resort (Alberta and Tranquility lots). These parking lots will be to the left as you enter the resort. For busier days there are parking lot attendants that will guide you to these parking lots.

For really busy periods and holidays there is an overflow lot east of the resort on Highway 160. Shuttles will run frequently to the resort from this lot. This is a great option if you plan on staying overnight (van living, RV, Camper, etc..), as overnight parking is not allowed in the lots mentioned above. Wolf Creek also offers handicap parking at the lower level of Base Camp (A bring your own lunch lodge) with an elevator.

How much are Lift Tickets and does the Ikon or Epic Pass work

The Ikon and Epic passes will not work at Wolf Creek. A Season Pass ranges in price depending on your age and the time of year that you buy. Early season passes for an Adult range from $700-$900+ and will go up in price by November. A really cool thing Wolf Creek does is they offer discounted prices for families. The more members in your family the cheaper the pass becomes. They will offer discounted pass rates for up to five people in a family.

Lift tickets for Adults are around $80/day with peak times being just under $100/day/person. If you go early season in November lift tickets can be around $50/day! It’s a lesser known deal that has many dedicated skiers and snowboarders driving down for the day if the snow is good.

Other lift ticket options include multi-day, half day, senior, child and military day passes. Half days start after 12:30 pm. Wolf Creek also offers group rate lift tickets for groups bigger then 25 people per day. Please note with group rate lift tickets there are peak dates that this option isn’t available.

When is the Best time to Ride Wolf Creek

Honestly, early season if most of the mountain is open. The reason being is because the mountain gets sooo much snow throughout the winter, that the runs start to loose their pitch and steepness. Lift tickets are also cheaper early season. That being said I would still track a storm (if you like riding deep snow) and make the trek down to Wolf Creek anytime through out the season. Also try to make it to this gem of a resort when it is a Bluebird day (sunny) as the views are pretty spectacular.

What is the Mountain Like

There’s no backside to Wolf Creek Resort and what I like about the mountain is how easy it is to get around as well as the variety of different terrain options. It has more challenging terrain like trees, cliffs, and chutes, but also mellow blues and greens if you just want to cruise around and have fun. The snow is also different when carving through it, compared to other resorts in Central and Northern Colorado. Feels almost like champagne powder.

Once you’ve gotten the blood flowing, head over to Alberta Lift. This lift will give you access to chutes, gullies, more tree runs, high alpine bowls, and steeper/longer runs. One of my favorite areas one the mountain when the snow’s deep, is the waterfall area. This can be accessed from Alberta or Treasure Stoke lifts. There’s 7 different Waterfall gates with 3 and 4 being my favorite. Gates three and four aren’t as steep and fill in real nice on deep days.

Is there any Beginner terrain

Yep, there is a little bit of beginner terrain and good amount of intermediate terrain. Twenty percent of the mountain is beginner and thirty five percent is intermediate. The very beginner terrain can be accessed off of lifts: Charity Jane Express, Nova and Elma. There will also be a few green runs off of the Raven lift. Intermediate terrain can be accessed off of lifts: Raven, Bonanza, D-Boyce, and Treasure Stoke. Raven and Bonanza have some great runs to start your day to allow for your legs to warm up. Plenty of great side hits, tree runs, and open areas for carving.

Is there any Hike-To Terrain

There’s two really good hikes I recommend doing, which are both off of the Alberta Lift. It’s going to be the hike right off the lift. If you go left it is the Knife Ridge Staircase. There’s some good chutes and bowls off of the ridge that you hike to. Sometimes the cat is running and will take people to the Horseshoe Bowl. If you go right you can hike to Step Bowl as well as Alberta Peak. Step Bowl will be more low angle, but is super fun on a powder day because its a wide open field. I recommend riding with a friend if you do these hikes!

Any good Tree Riding

There are some awesome trees off of the Treasure Stoke lift (skiers left) and Alberta lift (skiers left). Nothing too narrow and fun zones on the mountain to explore.

If you decide to do any of the Back Country terrain accessed through a gate, PLEASE have the proper equipment (shovel, Beacon, probe) and training (AVI 1 certification). You’ll also want to be with a friend if you end up riding back country terrain off resort.

Skiable Acres: 1,600

Summit Elevation: 11,904 feet/3628.339 meters

Vertical Drop: 1604 feet/488.899 Meters

Length of Season: Early November-Early April

Lift operating hours: 8:30am-4pm (can vary depending on weather)

Ticket Office Hours: 8:15am-4:30pm

Where can you eat and warm up on the Mountain

There’s a few different areas that have food as well as a bar on mountain. There’s the Prospector Grill behind the ticket office as well as a cafeteria and bar in the Wolf Creek Lodge. Both lodges will have sun decks for warmer days. At the top of the Raven Chairlift is a grill and restaurant and at the bottom of the Alberta lift is another grill. You’ll find the classic ski resort food at all of these places including burgers, brats, pizza, fries, soups, snacks, salads, and desert items. Looking for coffee or breakfast to fuel up before riding? There’s also a coffee shop at the top of the Treasure lift called, Continental. Breakfast is also served at the Prospector Grill from 8am-1030am.

Looking to save money? You can pack a lunch and eat it at Basecamp, an indoor lodge with seating. Not many resorts allow this anymore, making Wolf Creek even more unique then most ski resorts.

Are there any Ski or Snowboard Shops to rent or buy Equipment

There is a rental shop at the base of the resort as well as a retail shop called Treasure Sports. They sell jackets, pants, base layers, Goggles, Helmets, and accessories. Basically everything you need for a day on the hill.

The rental shop also offers tuning services which includes waxing, edging, and base grinding. There’s a package where you can take a pair of demo skis out for two hours while your own equipment is being tuned.

The Snowboard shop is located in the Dome next to the Wolf Creek lodge and ski rentals are located in the Sport Center across from the ticket office.

South Fork and Pagosa Springs will also both have ski/snowboard shops that rent and sell gear. 8200 Mountain Sports in South Fork has retail, rentals, and tuning services. They carry brands such as Never Summer, K2, Salomon, Icelantic, Hestra, Black Diamond, and more. If you’re looking for a ski or snowboard shop in Pagosa Springs check out Summit Ski and Sports as well as Pagosa Ski Rentals. Both shops will have rental and retail sections that sell softgoods, goggles, ski hardgoods, snowboard hardgoods, and accessories.

Where to eat

There aren’t many food options in South Fork as those will be on the other side of the pass in Pagosa Springs. However there’s still a couple good spots that I would recommend. For Breakfast, stop by Tiny Timbers for sandwiches, coffee, and baked goods. For Dinner and Apres’ I would check out Ramons, a Mexican restaurant on your way out after a day at the resort.

Is there a terrain park

Wolf Creek doesn’t have a terrain park however I’ve seen a rail at the bottom of the Treasure stoke lift early season.

Are there ski or snowboard lessons

Yep, Wolf Creek offers group and private lessons. They also offer private lessons for groups. One thing that is unique about WC is they do clinics throughout the season such as Ms. Monday and Tuesday Turns. It’s a way to package a lesson and lift ticket while giving you the opportunity to learn new skills on the mountain and possibly meet a few people.

What snow gear would work best for this trip

Depends on the conditions, below I listed items that I recommend to have a better day on the mountain

• Gore Tex Jacket and/or Pant

• Warm Gloves and Mitts

• Pair of goggles with two lenses one for sun and one for clouds

• Good base layers that wick moisture/sweat, but also keep you warm. These are especially important when doing the hikes at Wolf Creek!

• All mountain Snowboard or Skis. An all mountain set up will allow you to ride deep snow, but also carve on groomers. Burtons Family Tree line is perfect for riding the whole mountain

If you decide to ride early season, make sure to use caution when riding as there could be rocks, trees, and other debris. I asked Josh from New Zealand what his thoughts were of Wolf Creek and he said, “I tell you what, Wolf Creek is a dream come true. When they say most snow in Colorado, they aren't wrong at all, pow in November!!!!! Plenty of lift options give a wide variety of terrain and friendly safety first staff. 10/10 would go back :)

If you enjoyed this post, have questions, or have been to Wolf Creek and have information to add, please leave a comment below. Also, subscribe to our email list below for the latest information on trips, gear information, and outdoor activities. Thanks for checking out the blog and see you on the next post!

-Jeremiah