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

Disclosure: When you buy something through the Affiliate product links I have created below, I earn a small commission. I only promote products and companies I support as well as believe in.

Looking for easy trail navigation? Check out Alltrails; an app with trail reviews, navigation, and trail stats. Predownload trails in case of no service.

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!

Breckenridge Colorado, The ultimate hiking guide to Mohawk Lakes

Disclosure: When you buy something through the Affiliate product links I have created below, I earn a small commission. I only promote products and companies I support as well as believe in.

Looking for easy trail navigation? Check out Alltrails; an app with trail reviews, navigation, and trail stats. Predownload trails in case of no service.

If you’re looking for amazing hiking trails in Colorado, Summit County in the summer and fall will have some of the best hiking in the state. Old mines, alpine lakes, mountain views, and waterfalls are handful of reasons to wake up early to go hiking on any one one of the many different trails in the area . Just outside of Breckenridge is a fun day hike and an entry level backpacking hike called Mohawk Lakes. No overnight permits needed and it’s a doable hike in one day.

In this post I’ll be going over how to get to Mohawk Lakes, trail details, what to expect, and overnight backpacking info. Alright lets do thisss.

Where is Mohawk Lakes

Located in the White River National Forest of the Rocky Mountains, Mohawk lakes is in Blue River Colorado, just outside the town of Breckenridge. Part of the Ten Mile Range, this trail is a favorite for locals and visitors. Other towns nearby are Fairplay, Alma, Frisco, Dillon, and Silverthorne.

Coordinates for the trailhead

39.437050, -106.050660

How to get to Mohawk Lakes

The starting point for Mohawk lakes will be at the Spruce Creek Trailhead off of highway 9, 10 minutes south of Breckenridge. If you take I-70 or 285 you’ll end up on highway 9 and then turn onto Spruce Creek Road. From there you’ll pass by a number of houses in a neighborhood and drive up on a dirt parking lot. On the weekends the trailhead gets pretty crowded so try to get there really early or around noon to beat the crowds. It’s ok to park on the side of Spruce Creek Road as you’ll notice plenty of vehicles leading up to the trailhead on busier days.

Below I listed times and distances from major areas in Colorado to the trailhead.

Denver

• I-70: 1 hour 45 minutes/84 Miles

• 285: 2 hours 10 minutes/106 Miles

Boulder

• I-70: 2 hours 25 minutes/90 Miles

• 285: 2 hours 45 minutes/117 Miles

Colorado Springs

• US 24 W to CO 9 N: 2 hours 8 minutes/103 Miles

Fort Collins

• I-25 South to I-70 W: 3 hours 15 minutes/144 Miles

How long is the hike?

It really depends on your speed, but for day hiking it has taken me about 6 hours round trip to the top lake, which includes hanging out at each lake for a little bit. I’m sure it can be done in a much quicker time frame, it all depends on your speed.

Elevation Gain: 2,106 feet/642 Meters

Distance: 8.4 Miles/13.5 Kilometers

Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging

Trail Type: Out and Back

Can families with children do this hike

Definitely, I’ve seen a number of families on this trail with kids and even moms and dads with the backpacks that carry toddlers or infants in them.

Best time to Go

Depending on the snow year, End of June through late October. If we get a lot of snow that season, then the trails usually are not free of snow until late June. On the flip-side, if it starts snowing early in the fall, trails may not be as easy to hike, making it less enjoyable. I’ve been in September as well as in the summer and both are some of the best times of the year to hike this trail. Fall is a nice time in Breckenridge to hike any trail because of the leaves changing, so that’s also something to consider when deciding when to do the hike.

Like anything, weekends will be a lot busier as well as mornings. I would either try to go really early in the morning or mid day as long as there aren’t any afternoon thunderstorms in the forecast!

Are dogs allowed on the trail

Yep, you will see dogs along the way, most are off leash too. Always try to keep your dog in site if off leash, because there is plenty of wildlife in the area!

Can you Backpack this trail

Yep, it is a great trail if you just got into back packing and want to test out your equipment and get use to your pack. No overnight permits are required and you also do not need an overnight parking pass to leave your car at the trailhead. Make sure to check fire restrictions in the area if you decide to build a campfire!

Trail Details and how to access the Upper Lake

Once you’ve parked your car you’ll want to look for the Spruce Creek Trailhead, located on the left side of the road right after the main parking lot area. This part of the trail takes you through a wooded area until you reach the first lake. As you walk through the woods, you’ll pass by an opening on the right side that opens up to some of the best views of the hike, overlooking part of the Ten Mile Range. This is also a perfect resting point if you aren’t use to the elevation!

From there you’ll continue on the Spruce Creek Trail until you hit Spruce Creek Road (the same road where you initially parked, but much farther up the mountain). This road will take you to the start of the Mohawk Lakes Trail:) The first lake you’ll come up on is Mayflower Lake, follow the signage for a slight detour on the Mayflower Lakes Trail to access this lake.

Once you get back onto the Mohawk Lakes trail the elevation gain gets a little more intense and it also becomes a little more difficult to know if you’re on the right trail or not. My best advice is to look either at a map on All Trails (download ahead of time due to lack of service) or to follow the signage and trail as best as possible. There will also be incredible waterfall views as you make your ascent to the Lower Lake. Lower Falls Vista will be near a couple historic mining structures, while Continental Falls will be on your way up to the lower Lake on the right side of the trail. Again, there will be signage along the way to access these waterfalls.

After you pass the waterfalls you’ll continue to hike up steeper areas of the trail. The trail will begin to level out and that’s how you know you’re approaching the lower lake. The lower lake has an open backdrop surrounding it, perfect for photography. As mentioned earlier this is a great spot to set up for camping if you back packed up to the lake. I didn’t hike to the top lake until the following morning, but if you set up camp early enough I’m sure golden hour at the upper lake is pretty special.

If you camped at the lower lake and are motivated enough, I would recommend waking up early to catch the sunrise!

best-backpacking-tents

Now that you’ve made it this far, keep going! and head up to the last part of the hike, the Upper Lake. This will be about 15 minutes from the lower lake and the climb isn’t too bad. You’ll hike one last small climb before you reach the top. There’s plenty of places at the top to take in the scenery, chill, and eat a snack. You’re also allowed to fish in the top lake as long as your Colorado Fishing license is up to date.

What to Pack

1. Rain Jacket- Weather shows up at any given moment in the Mountains, always pack a lightweight rain shell. Burton makes great rain jackets for men and women that have cool patterns and will keep you dry on your hikes!

2. Sunscreen- Hiking at a high altitude=increased sun exposure so make sure to apply this at least 15 minutes before you venture out. I like Sun Bum, which can be found online at Hansens surf shop out of Encinitas California.

3. Hiking Poles- Although these might seem “uncool”, they help a lot with balance and footing when hiking. Head over to REI or your local outdoor retailer, as they have a great selection.

4. Hiking Boots- Proper footwear is a must. There is a ton of options when it comes to hiking boots. These can also be found at REI or your local outdoor gear shop.

5. Outdoor Clothing- Although outdoor clothing can be expensive it does last a long time. It will be more lightweight, moisture wicking, and more stinkproof when doing stuff outdoors. Try to stay away from anything cotton. I personally like Fjallraven and Mountain Hardwear, but Patagonia, Burton, North Face, and Columbia all make great stuff.

The Descent

Watch your footing as you make your way back down the trail. Please note uphill hikers have the right of way. When you come to the point of taking the Spruce Creek trail back to the parking lot, there is also a service road, on your left, Spruce Creek Road, if you don’t feel like walking through the woods again. The road will probably be a little quicker, and also will take you back to the parking lot.

Please note, if you don’t feel like hiking all the way to the lower lake or top lake you can take a detoured trail (Mayflower Lakes Trail) from the first lake, back to the parking lot.

Watch your footing as you make the hike down as there are rocky, bumpy, and slippery areas. I would definitely do this hike again and I recommend it to anyone in the Summit County Colorado area that loves to hike.

Looking for more Colorado adventure? Check out Leadville, another small mountain town in Colorado not far from Breckenridge. Thanks for checking out the Blog and I’ll see you on the next post.