Backpacking Maroon Bells Four Pass Loop: The Ultimate Guide

Backpacking Maroon Bells Four Pass Loop should be on any avid hiker’s bucket list. This iconic Colorado backpacking trail offers gorgeous views of the famous Maroon Bells, two famous peaks, named because they look like bells and are composed of red soil. Backpacking Maroon Bells Four Pass Loop allows you to hike in a circle around the bells, getting excellent views from multiple angles. Other draws to this epic backpacking trip include Snowmass Lake, Geneva Lake, stunning alpine views, wildlife sightings, and summiting four different passes! 

Maroon Bells Four Pass Loop is perfect for adventurers, nature lovers, and those looking for a challenging but rewarding hike. 

What is the Maroon Bells Four Pass Loop? 

Maroon Bells Four Pass Loop is an approximately 26-mile trail, beginning and ending at Crater Lake, located in the Elk Mountains near Aspen, Colorado. This iconic trail is located in Maroon Bells Snowmass Wilderness of White River National Forest.

The trail encircles Maroon Peak and North Maroon Peak, two mountains famously referred to as the Maroon Bells. Four Pass Loop trail takes you over four mountain passes: West Maroon, Frigid Air, Trail Rider, and Buckskin Pass. 

Four Pass Loop is difficult with significant elevation gain. It is not for the faint of heart! This trail is typically completed in three or four days depending on your skill level and the permit obtained. 

On this trail, you will experience alpine meadows, beautifully clear lakes, and panoramic views. 

Preparation for Backpacking Maroon Bells Four Pass Loop 

Four Pass Loop is an intense backpacking trip, not necessarily for beginners and preparation is important for all skill levels. 

When is the best time to backpack Maroon Bells Four Pass Loop? 

The best time to backpack Maroon Bells Four Pass Loop is late June to early October. As this trail is at high elevation, snow conditions typically last until June and sometimes later. Snow is possible in October as well. 

Maroon Bells Permits and Regulations

Maroon Bells-Snowmass is a permitted zone. This means you must obtain a permit in advance for each night you intend to camp in the area. If you are caught camping in this area and do not have a permit you will face a hefty fine. 

A permit costs $16 per night for up to 4 people. If you have more than four people, you must obtain another permit. 

To obtain a permit, visit recreation.gov and select Check Availability. Select the starting area “Four Pass Loop/Snowmass Lake/Crater Lake/Geneva Lake”.

Select the dates that you wish to camp in the area and the number of people in your group. A 10-day period will be shown for each of the sites or zones.

You must select which zone you will stay in each night within the Maroon Bells-Snowmass region. The zones include: Crater Lake, Maroon, East Fork, North Fork, Snowmass Lake, Upper Snowmass, and Geneva Lake. You can view a map of the zones here.

Permits are available in 2025 based on the following schedule: 

See below for a Maroon Bells Four Pass Loop itinerary. 

Physical Preparation 

I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice. This is educational information only, based on my experience. 

Do not skimp on the training. We absolutely did not train enough and we are lucky that we are young enough and in good enough health that it worked out but this is an extremely difficult hike and you should not approach it lightly. You will enjoy it much more if you are physically prepared. 

I recommend doing three to four cardio sessions per week and two days of strength training in the months leading up to the backpacking trip, based on this training plan from REI that I loosely followed. 

My biggest tip is to complete a few training hikes, working up to your planned weight to carry, with significant elevation gain, ideally at a similar altitude. Physical activity is much harder at a high altitude, even if you are in shape. This was one of the most surprising things that we discovered while backpacking Maroon Bells because we all thought we were in pretty good shape. 

I would not recommend this backpacking trail for your first backpacking trip. I recommend doing at least one shorter trip before attempting Four Pass Loop. This is a great way to test out your gear and endurance. We did Heart Lake via South Boulder Creek Trail as our first backpacking trip and loved it, although that was a few years before we completed Four Pass Loop. 

Getting to Maroon Bells-Snowmass Trailhead 

To get to Maroon Bells-Snowmass Trailhead, you must either take a shuttle from Aspen Highlands Plaza or park at the trailhead. Both require reservations in advance. 

Parking at Maroon Bells Trailhead

To park at the trailhead, you must reserve a parking pass in advance for $10 per vehicle and arrive before 8 AM the day of your hike. The overnight reservations are for 2 nights only, 6 AM to 6 PM, so you must complete the Four Pass Loop in that time. Parking reservations for the first half of the season are available on February 18th and the next half on June 17th at 8 AM MST.

Getting to Aspen Highlands Plaza to Catch the Shuttle

There are two general options for getting to Aspen Highlands Plaza. You can either drive and park in the parking garage or take a bus to Aspen Highlands Plaza. Here I break down both of these options. 

Driving to Aspen Highlands Plaza 

Parking at Aspen Highlands Plaza, while likely easier, is $30 a day during the week and $40 a day on weekends and holidays. It is on a first-come-first-serve basis with limited parking spots, so you must arrive early. You will be competing for spots with day hikers who might be staying nearby so if you are coming from Denver this could be difficult. For more information on parking at Aspen Highlands Plaza, check this website. 

Taking the Bus to Aspen Highlands Plaza

If you want to take the bus to Aspen Highlands Plaza, you can park for free at one of the Park N’ Rides nearby. We parked at Brush Creek Park N’ Ride. 

We saw several signs at Brush Creek stating that parking for more than 24 hours is not allowed, but we asked someone and they said it would be okay (and spoiler alert: it was!). From our research, it is common for backpackers to park here but do so at your own risk. 

From Brush Creek Park and Ride, it takes two buses to reach Aspen Highlands Plaza. The first bus took us to Rubey Park Transit Center. The second bus, the Castle Maroon Bus, goes from Aspen to Aspen Highlands. I recommend using Google Maps to determine the route. 

The buses are free. The most difficult part was navigating the bus with our giant backpacks!

Shuttle to Maroon Bells-Snowmass Trailhead

To take the shuttle from Aspen Highlands Plaza to the trailhead, you must reserve tickets in advance for everyone in your party. Shuttle reservations for the 2025 season are available on February 18th at 8 AM MST.

The link to reserve the shuttle will be emailed to you shortly after you reserve your permit. I recommend doing this soon after you reserve your permits because the spots fill quickly. The shuttle bus is also available to day hikers. 

The shuttle reservation is $16 for an adult roundtrip. If you are unable to get a reservation, any available reservations the day of will be $20 for an adult roundtrip. 

You must choose a specific time slot for your shuttle reservation and arrive at Aspen Highlands to check in at least 30 minutes ahead of your reservation. There is time to go to the bathroom or grab a quick coffee and then you may line up 10 minutes before departure. 

You will be given a ticket for your party that must be displayed when boarding. If you miss your reservation, you will have to wait for another bus with an opening and there is no guarantee that there will be one. 

The shuttle departs from Aspen Highlands Plaza every 15 minutes from 7 or 8 AM (depending on season) until 1 PM and then every 20 minutes from 1 PM to 3 PM. The last departure is at 3 PM. See this website for more details.

There is a bathroom at the Aspen Highlands Visitor Center and the Maroon Bells-Snowmass trailhead (yay!) so enjoy your last real bathroom for a while!

Returning by Shuttle Bus to Aspen Highlands Plaza

The return from the trailhead to Aspen Highlands is flexible. Buses arrive approximately every 20 minutes. The last shuttle bus is at 5 PM. If you miss it, it is another 8 miles to Aspen Highlands and there is no service to call an Uber (they drilled that into us if you can’t tell!). Plan your last day of hiking so you can return in time to catch the shuttle. 

At the trailhead, there is a line for the shuttle departure. Be respectful of those who were waiting before you. 

Read More: How to Spend a Weekend in Avon, Colorado

Packing List for Backpacking Maroon Bells Four Pass Loop

Packing for backpacking is difficult because you need to be prepared for a variety of situations but you also have to carry everything you plan to bring. We probably overpacked a little, although we did use most of what we brought. Luke’s pack was about 45 pounds and mine was about 37 pounds. 

Do not overpack! The typical advice is that your backpack should not exceed 20 percent of your body weight. Make sure you do the proper training so you can manage the weight of your bag. 

Clothing 

The most important thing clothing-wise is to have warm layers that can be kept dry. At high elevations, it will be cold, especially at night. Make sure you have a base layer top and bottoms for when you get to camp (I recommend sleeping in them) and keep them dry while hiking. We each brought 6L dry bags to ensure our clothes and other essentials stayed dry. This also allowed us to pack them down tightly. If it rains and your clothing gets wet, you risk getting hypothermia if you can’t get dry and warm up. 

I also recommend bringing a beanie, gloves, two pairs of Merino wool socks (one heavier for nights and one lighter for hiking), and a mid-layer and/or a mid-layer jacket. I love my mid-layer fleece jacket, it is so cozy.

For the outer layer, I brought a puffer jacket, which I only wore on one occasion, but is good to have in case of snow or cold. A buff neck gaiter is also something that I found could be used for many purposes: wearing around my neck for warmth or bugs or cushioning under my backpack strap after it started to rub uncomfortably.

For hiking during the day, I recommend wearing a midweight pair of merino wool socks, hiking pants or leggings, and a sun shirt. The hiking pants and sun shirts are lightweight, comfortable, and dry easily so it isn’t a big deal if they get wet. I also prefer a hat to limit sun exposure. 

Footwear is very important for backpacking. Whatever kind of shoes you wear, make sure they are broken in. I wore hiking boots because I wanted the extra ankle support. Many people prefer to wear trail running shoes because they are less expensive and the mileage adds up quickly on a backpacker’s shoes so they need to be replaced frequently. Luke wore trail running shoes and he was happy with that choice.

Either way, I recommend you bring something in case of blisters. These hydrocolloid bandages work wonders and come in different sizes.

For backpacking, I love to use poles. It makes it easier to balance in many situations, but that is a preference. These are the ones our friends used, which we also used while hiking in Germany! They are light, collapsible, and easy to pack!

Water 

You need to have a plan for water while hiking the Maroon Bells Four Pass Loop. There are rivers, lakes, and streams along the path so you can refill water easily but it needs to be filtered to remove giardia and other germs. 

We used the Platypus water filtration system and connected it to our 3L water bladders. This worked well, the only downside was that it was time-consuming. Our friends who accompanied us brought a collapsible Lifestraw water bottle to filter water into another bottle and a 1L water bladder. That was quicker and lighter but they had considerably less water than us and had to fill up more frequently. Both are good options! 

Waste 

Practice Leave No Trace principles while backpacking Maroon Bells Four Pass Loop. We brought a lightweight trowel and wag bags, which we had never used before. I tried both methods. The wag bag’s downside is that you must carry your waste in the bag for the rest of the trip, although the kit includes a NASA-developed powder that gels liquid and solid waste and neutralizes odors. The wag bags are a good option when the ground is hard, which is sometimes the case in the varied terrain of Four Pass Loop. If you choose the shovel option, bring a ziplock bag lined with duct tape or aluminum foil so you can pack out your used toilet paper. 

Food and Cooking Utensils 

When backpacking Maroon Bells Four Pass Loop, you also need a plan for food storage at night because it is considered bear country. The forest service recommends a bear canister. We used the BV500, which has a capacity of 11.5L. It worked well for the two of us on a three-night trip, but it was pretty heavy compared to the other lightweight gear we carried. 

Anything scented that you bring such as toothpaste, deodorant, and food, should all be stored in the bear canister at night. This is a bit of a pain, honestly. Our bear canister was full to the brim the first night so we left the toiletries out. However, these items can attract a bear so it is best to store them in the canister. The canister should be placed 100 feet (about 40 steps) away from campers. 

Depending on your plan for food, you might want to bring a small cook set. We brought the MSR Pocket Rocket and it was so nice to have a warm meal at night. Make sure you also purchase a lightweight fuel canister and determine how much fuel you will need for your trip. The cook set is easy to use: just boil water in the pot and then pour the hot water directly into your dehydrated meal bag to avoid dirty dishes!

This process is a little time-consuming, so some people bring high-calorie bars or other no-cook meals, or a combination of both. 

Tent and Sleeping Bags

For backpacking, you want to invest in a good, lightweight tent and a sleeping bag rated for at least 20℉, although if you get cold easily I would suggest getting one rated to zero degrees. A tent footprint protects the bottom of your sleeping bag from punctures and moisture, allowing the tent to last longer and providing a more comfortable sleeping situation.

A lightweight sleeping pad is another thing you don’t want to forget. We used the Klymit inflatable sleeping pads, which are comfortable and can be blown up in 20 to 30 breaths. A lightweight inflatable pillow is also nice, but not necessary. 

I got cold around camp at night and in the sleeping bag so I was glad to have a lightweight blanket with us.

Navigational Tools

When backpacking Maroon Bells Four Pass Loop, carry a physical map of the area in case of emergency. We brought a paper map in a plastic bag to keep it dry. You will not have service in the Maroon-Bells Snowmass area, so you can also download maps to use offline as long as you have a plan to keep your phone charged. 

Luke tested these solar panels that strap to his backpack on this trip. You attach them to your backpack and connect them to a power bank while you hike. Then when you reach camp, the power bank is charged and you can charge your device. The solar panels don’t store energy so they need to be connected to a power bank for storage. 

The Maroon Bells Four Pass Loop is well-marked and well-trafficked so for the most part, you shouldn’t have issues, but there are other trails in the area. Come prepared with a map of some sort. A compass is also a useful tool to have just in case. We have a compass and a whistle in one!

Our Permitted Itinerary for Maroon Bells Four Pass Loop:

When you apply for the Maroon Bells/Snowmass permit, you must decide which zones you will camp in each night of your trip. It is a little hard to know when you purchase because you never know what the conditions will be for your trip. This is the itinerary that we selected for our permit. We only made it to one zone out of the four, however, not for lack of trying. We just didn’t know it would take us so much longer than we expected to make it to each location. 

For the fourth night, I mistakenly purchased a permit for the Maroon Zone. We decided to keep it in case we needed extra time to hike out, but generally, you should only need three nights because the Maroon Zone is close enough to the trailhead that you shouldn’t have to camp another night. Remember that you must make it back to the trailhead before 5 PM if you are taking the shuttle.

Day 1: East Fork 

Day 2: Geneva Lake 

Day 3: Snowmass Lake 

Day 4: Maroon Zone 

Itinerary for Backpacking Maroon Bells Four Pass Loop Clockwise

This is the itinerary that we ended up following for Four Pass Loop, which was a little different than our permit.  

Day 1: Hike from Crater Zone to Maroon Zone

Distance	6.55 miles / 10.5 km
Elevation Gain	2,170 feet
Duration	6 hours

Hiking to Crater Lake

Finally, the day has arrived! Hopefully, you are well-prepared for the adventure before you. 

The shuttle will drop you at the trailhead for Maroon Lake. I recommend using the bathroom here as it is your last chance for a while!

The trail starts at Maroon Lake, the gorgeous and frequently photographed lake surrounded by aspen trees, sitting below the Maroon Bells. 

I remember thinking, wow, I’ve seen what I wanted and my pack is already heavy. Maybe we should just take some pictures and go home now? 

From Maroon Lake, you will hike up through many aspen trees and loose rocks until you reach Crater Lake. This is where many of the day hikers turn around. It is about 1.8 miles to Crater Lake. It is a pretty lake, but late in the season, it tends to run dry. 

Here, we stopped for our first snack and commented on how this was already feeling harder than we thought it would. There was honestly a part of me that was thinking we should turn around and go home but peer pressure wouldn’t allow me to bring it up. 

Hiking to West Maroon Pass

From Crater Lake, you head southeast. There is a lot of elevation coming your way because Crater Lake is at 10,000 feet and West Maroon Pass is at about 12,450 feet. You will climb through low bushes, valleys, pine trees, rocky areas, and a water crossing. There is limited tree cover on this section of the trail.

It is beautiful. Even though I was huffing and puffing already, standing in a valley surrounded by mountain peaks in all directions was breathtaking. 

At one point we came across this adorable fox napping in the sun. Upon hearing us, he lackadaisically rose and stretched before trotting off. It was so cute. And the boys, who were in front, missed it!

At some point, the trail becomes steeper and more wooded. We stopped for lunch, a blueberry bagel with peanut butter for Luke and me, and watched this squirrel continuously run across the clearing, only to return with a pine cone clutched in its little claws. 

The first day is a slog. We kept climbing. It started to look like rain and maybe lightning, so we paused and found shelter in some trees. You have to be careful about lightning when you are at such a high elevation, exposed on the side of a mountain. We were about one mile and 800 feet of elevation from West Maroon Pass and we were supposed to camp on the other side of the pass in the East Fork zone. 

We could see the trail from our resting place and it looked incredibly intimidating. There were dark ominous clouds above it too. It was already late in the afternoon. We decided to camp in Maroon Zone, where we were resting, and regroup in the morning. You don’t want to be caught in bad weather while going over a pass. 

Camping in Maroon Zone

On the first day, we didn’t successfully make it over West Maroon Pass, as planned, and we didn’t make it to our permitted zone. I was disappointed and nervous that a ranger would come upon us and give us a fine. It was the right decision based on the conditions on the pass and our exhaustion levels so I think we could have explained it to them. 

The first day of backpacking Maroon Bells Four Pass Loop proved to us that it wasn’t going to be as easy as we had thought. We started questioning if we should hike back to the trailhead the next day and skip the rest of the trip. 

Regardless of our worries, we enjoyed our stay at this gorgeous alpine campsite. Beautiful views could be found in all directions. A deer wandered through our camp on two occasions. Luke and I enjoyed a hot meal of rehydrated Thai red curry, then we were all exhausted so we went to bed as soon as we were done cleaning up dinner.

Day 2: Maroon Zone to North Fork Zone 

Hiking to West Maroon Pass

The second day of backpacking Maroon Bells Four Pass Loop with this itinerary takes you over West Maroon and Frigid Air Passes and through valleys. You will camp in the North Fork Zone. 

When we woke up on day two, we decided to try to get over West Maroon Pass and see how we felt. If, after doing that, we didn’t feel like we could do another three passes, we would turn around and go home. It would be a long day of hiking but it would mostly be downhill. 

We trudged up West Maroon Pass. Slowly it started to appear like it was getting closer, but it was grueling. The valley below us, where we had camped the night before, was cast in a lovely morning light.

The trail is steep and to the left is a rocky and steep hill. There is no tree cover. 

Finally, we made it to the top. Seeing the other side of the pass that we had been looking at warily all evening was worth it. Feeling empowered, we enjoyed the view and took some pictures before descending into the valley. 

Hiking to Frigid Air Pass

In between West Maroon and Frigid Air Passes is an idyllic valley with little tree cover, peppered with wildflowers. In September the flowers were on their way out, but I was surprised that there were so many. During July and August, I imagine there are even more. 

I recommend filling up on water before Frigid Air if possible because there isn’t good access to a water source after the pass. 

Frigid Air was my least favorite of the passes because it is extremely steep. I went incredibly slow and questioned my life choices all the way to the top. My friend Jordan, however, flew up this pass so quickly after having knee surgery only four months before!

As it was our second pass of the day and it was freezing on top of Frigid Air (I guess it is accurately named), we only took one bad picture of all of us. 

Camping in North Fork Zone

Once you get over the Frigid Air Pass, there is another beautiful valley and dramatic mountain views. The trail winds through bushes that come to about shoulder height. Water is also not very accessible during this time; you can hear the water, but the trail is not near enough to access it. 

A few people mentioned they had seen bears and moose in the area but we didn’t spot any.

You descend into the treeline again where the trail becomes forested and starts to level out into pleasant rolling hills. I thoroughly enjoyed this section of the trail. After several miles of this, the river becomes easier to access. We were running low on water at this point so we gratefully paused to refill and eat some lunch. 

A little farther along the trail, you come to a huge waterfall spilling down into yet another valley. From the side of the mountain, you can see the river twisting through the valley majestically. I have never seen anything like it. 

After a steep downhill section that lasts a little less than a mile, the trail levels out again and starts to follow the river through the valley. This is where we decided to camp on the second day. 

Our goal was to camp at Geneva Lake, which adds about two to three miles onto the loop, but we ultimately decided we weren’t moving fast enough. It was another day of not reaching our permitted zone. 

The campsite was gorgeous with a view of the waterfall tumbling down the mountain in the distance. The river near our camp provided an easy water source. 

We all put our feet in, though the water was so cold I could only stand it for a few minutes. Since we weren’t above treeline, the air was slightly less cold and we even got to enjoy a little bit of warm sunshine. 

There was also a fire pit. Since we weren’t above 10,800 feet or at any of the campsites where fires are prohibited, we were able to use it. 

We saw two moose at this campsite, a first for both Luke and me! There was a male and a female, munching on some plants across the river.

September is mating season for moose, so males can be aggressive. They informed us before getting on the bus that a moose can’t tell the difference between human testosterone and moose testosterone so they will often charge men thinking they are competition. Our campsite was in the trees though, so we had cover in case the moose decided to charge. 

This was reassuring during the day when we could see the moose, but once it got dark it was a different story. At one point we heard something splashing in the river, pretty close to our campsite, that sounded like a moose but it was too dark to see anything. I put my headlamp on and when I turned on the lights, I could see a pair of glowing eyes. That was a little scary, so at that point, we took cover in the trees. Luckily, we didn’t get charged by a moose that night!

Day 3: North Fork Zone to Snowmass Lake

Hiking to Trail Rider Pass

With this Maroon Bells Four Pass Loop itinerary, on the third day, you will tackle Trail Rider Pass. In my research, this is the worst pass for most people so there was anticipation leading up to it. There is a lot of elevation gain on this section of the trail. 

In September, there were many wildflowers along the trail. The side of the mountain is covered in long grass and aspen trees until you get to a higher altitude and pine trees start to dominate the landscape. Even then, the pine trees are clustered with big swaths of grass.

After climbing about 1,000 feet in a mile, the trail flattens briefly and then continues climbing. It is brutal. 

Stormy Weather near Trail Rider Pass

On the flat section of the trail, we finally caught up to our friends, Jordan and Raymond, to take a break. I was starving by then so I pulled out my snack and as I was taking the first few bites, rain and fog started to roll in quickly. 

There was no tree cover, so we put our rain jackets and covers on and continued hiking, hoping it would pass quickly. The elevation started increasing again. I was wet, cold, hungry, and increasingly frustrated that I missed my break. The panic crept in and I couldn’t stop the tears from falling. All the stress I felt during this trip bubbled to the surface. I didn’t want to go on but there was nothing else to do but go on. I needed a break but there wasn’t anywhere slightly pleasant to take one.

Luke kept me going at this point, pausing to tell me everything was going to be okay and that we would get out of this. 

We finally took a small break near some trees, though they provided little coverage. I scarfed down my snack and tried to get myself under control. Thank goodness for friends who kept the mood light with their positivity.

Back on the trail, we crested the hill and the rain moved out surprisingly fast. We descended into a valley just below Trail Rider Pass. 

The valley has an alpine lake and clusters of pine trees. This is a great place to rest and have a snack, which is exactly what we did. I continued to have a bit of a breakdown while looking up at the pass, which again seemed very far away. I was worried the weather wouldn’t hold out and we would get stuck in cold rain on the pass. 

As if that wasn’t enough, I started to feel physically ill and lightheaded as I was resting. This only worsened my mood.

I felt low on electrolytes, so I ate a Honey Stinger, which, thankfully, helped. Once my emotions, lightheadedness, and the rain cleared up, I figured we needed to get over the pass quickly. So I rallied all my determination and we started climbing. Luckily, the weather held out and I felt much better while we were climbing the last part of the pass. 

The last section of Trail Rider Pass is difficult, but slightly less so than the first part of the day. The hike provides beautiful views of the valley and the mountains around. 

Once you reach the top of Trail Rider Pass, you can see Snowmass Lake. The bright blue lake is surrounded by dramatic cliffs on one side and trees on the other. It is one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen, it almost looks fake.

Seeing Snowmass Lake also feels good because it is your destination for the night. From Trail Rider Pass, it is mostly downhill to Snowmass Lake. Parts of it are very steep and tiring. After about two miles you descend below the treeline again. 

Camping at Snowmass Lake

The trail to Snowmass Lake is rocky in places. There was a surprise scramble across some precarious-looking rocks on the trail, that appeared to be the result of a rock slide. I would estimate about 20 or 30 feet across. I was reluctant to cross them, especially with a heavy pack and poles, but there wasn’t another option. 

There are many camping spots at Snowmass Lake. However, it is a popular place to camp and there were a lot of people. I could see several other tents from our campsite and there were always people nearby. This was different from our experience so far, which had felt pleasantly secluded. If you want solitude, this might not be where you want to camp, although it is beautiful. You might be better off camping in the Upper Snowmass Zone or Maroon Zone, where we later passed many undisturbed campsites. 

We had trouble finding a spot at first because it was so busy, but beyond the river crossing, there were more spots open. 

After setting up camp, we had a delicious and comforting dinner of chicken and dumplings while looking at the lake. This was our favorite meal on the trip. For dessert, we had dark chocolate cheesecake by Backpacker’s Pantry. It was more like mousse, but it was decadent after a difficult and emotional day! 

Day 4: Snowmass Lake to Maroon Lake

 

Distance	9.70 miles / 15.61 km
Elevation Gain	1,946 feet
Duration	7 hours

Hiking to Buckskin Pass

The last day takes you from Snowmass Lake to the base of Buckskin Pass through a forested area that is mostly flat or downhill once you climb out of the Snowmass Lake Zone. We were eager to get out of the wilderness on day four and we estimated it would be about nine miles back to the trailhead, the longest distance yet. We made a pretty good pace for the first few miles which were easy, winding trails through beautiful, mossy forest. 

From the base of Buckskin Pass, you start climbing again.

There are no words to describe the euphoria I felt knowing this was our last pass. I held onto the fact that we had already done this three times, so we could do it once more. And then we would return to civilization with comfortable beds, hot showers, and warm food not served in a bag. 

The elevation gain up Buckskin Pass is about 1,600 feet over 2.5 miles. The first section of the climb is wooded but as you gain elevation the trees thin out considerably, opening up to a beautiful grassy alpine valley with a waterfall. 

The final push to the top of Buckskin Pass involves many switchbacks, which is frustrating because you feel like you are almost there but it takes much longer than you would estimate. Despite that, we considered Buckskin Pass (going clockwise) the easiest pass, however, we might be biased because it was the last day. 

At the top of Buckskin Pass, you can see Snowmass Lake and the Maroon Bells. We took a break at the top to refuel and take a million pictures.

This was the last difficult climb of our backpacking trip so we were elated that the hardest part was done. We still had about five miles of downhill ahead of us. 

Finishing Maroon Bells Four Pass Loop

Descending Buckskin Pass was steep and rocky. I would not want to climb up this side of it going counterclockwise. 

We didn’t take many breaks on the way down because we were eager to get back to civilization but we did stop for a water refill at a stream below Buckskin Pass. 

It is about three miles from Buckskin Pass to Crater Lake, all downhill. When you arrive at Crater Lake, you can celebrate because you officially completed the Four Pass Loop! However, when we got to Crater Lake we were so ready to be done, we just collapsed on some rocks and took a break, bemoaning the remaining distance to the trailhead.

The lake did not look nearly as good as when we passed it the first time. It was drying up quickly at the end of the season. 

From Crater Lake, it is about two miles to Maroon Lake and the trailhead. This section is primarily downhill but it is very rocky and there is also a slight uphill after the lake. This part is a blur of aspen trees and rocks for me, honestly. I was so tired but desperately wanted to be done. The downhill was pretty hard by the end and somehow the last miles felt so much longer than two miles.

But we survived! We had someone snap this picture for us immediately when we arrived at the trailhead. I was still huffing and puffing!

I have rarely felt as accomplished as I did after backpacking Maroon Bells Four Pass Loop. I was ready for a hot shower, a hearty meal, and a real bed, but we still had to wait for the shuttle bus and return to our car.  

Tips for a Safe and Successful Backpacking Trip 

Weather Considerations 

The weather can change quickly on mountain passes. It is also significantly colder at higher elevations. Make sure you bring the proper clothing to prepare for this because it can impact your enjoyment. 

A rain jacket that will help you stay dry and warm is a must for the trail. I recommend having a rain cover for your pack and a dry bag for your extra clothes to ensure this.

Make sure you have at least one dry pair of clothes for when you get to camp to avoid getting hypothermia. A base layer, beanie, warm socks, and a good jacket are essential for staying warm at camp.

Wildlife

You must have a bear canister to store your food during the nights when backpacking Four Pass Loop. These canisters are made of thick plastic to hide smells from bears and are difficult to open. 

It is recommended to place your bear canister 100 feet away from your campsite during the night while you are sleeping. Store anything that is scented, such as toiletries and food, in the bear canister at night because they can attract bears. 

Additionally, you should always have bear spray on you when in bear country. Remove it from the packaging prior to your trip but make sure the safety stays on. 

Carrying a whistle is also good in case you encounter wild animals.

Moose are another potential threat to you while hiking in the Maroon Bells Scenic area, especially during mating season, called “rut”, in September and October. If you see a moose, do not run. Hide behind a tree instead. 

Altitude Sickness

Altitude sickness can be very dangerous while backpacking. Make sure that you are acclimated to the altitude before going on your hike. If you are traveling to Colorado to complete Four Pass Loop, arrive a few days earlier to adjust. You might as well use this time to explore Denver!

I also recommend spending a day or so in one of the nearby towns such as Aspen, Glenwood Springs, or Carbondale to adjust to the altitude, because these places are much higher than Denver. 

The symptoms of altitude sickness include headache, lethargy, nausea and vomiting, and shortness of breath to name a few. Symptoms usually begin 6 to 12 hours after arriving at altitude. To avoid altitude sickness, drink plenty of water, consume electrolytes, and avoid alcohol. If you notice symptoms, descend to a lower elevation. 

Sun Exposure

At higher elevations, you are more at risk for sun exposure, so it is a good idea to have a plan for sun protection. A sun shirt, hat, and sunscreen are all good options!

Leave No Trace

The Maroon Bells-Snowmass wilderness is beautiful and pristine in many ways. However, this area sees many visitors each year and the alpine ecosystems are especially fragile so it is important to utilize Leave No Trace principles to preserve this natural place. 

This means packing out everything that you bring with you. Bodily waste must be buried in a hole four inches wide by six inches deep at least 200 feet from a water source or packed out. Toilet paper should be packed out as well. You must stay on the trail as much as possible. Take nothing and leave only footprints. Hopefully, this area will remain a pristine natural area for generations!

Fire Restrictions 

Campfires are prohibited at Crater Lake, Snowmass Lake, and any campsite above 10,800 feet. See the fire restrictions here. 

Can you bring your dog to Maroon Bells Four Pass Loop? 

Dogs are allowed on Maroon Bells Four Pass Loop trail and the RFTA Shuttle to the trailhead. You do not need to include them in the number of people on your permit. They must be kept on a leash at all times. All waste must be packed out. 

We saw a few dogs on the trail. We considered bringing Kala on the trip but decided we didn’t do enough training with her and didn’t want to risk it.  

After having done it, I do not think that I would take my dog on this trip. Many steep and rocky sections of the hike would be hard with a dog on a leash, especially if your dog pulls. It could also be hard on their paws. 

Dogs can aggravate moose, so bringing them into moose country, especially in September and October, would make me nervous. 

Finally, bringing a dog will increase the weight you have to carry because you will need food and must pack out all their waste. Dogs can carry about 10-15 percent of their body weight, depending on their fitness level. We have a dog backpack for Kala when she does come with us!

Maroon Bells Four Pass Loop is a long distance with a lot of elevation gain, which could be difficult for dogs if they aren’t physically fit. Only bring your dog if they have also been training successfully and are in good shape for the hike. 

If you do bring your dog, I recommend packing a dog evacuation kit to carry them if something happens. Better safe than sorry!

What to Eat While Backpacking

Snacks

Backpacking burns more calories than usual, so it is important to pack enough food to fuel your body. You want to bring plenty of calorically dense foods to get as many calories as possible quickly. Some of our favorite snacks from the trip included peanut butter tortillas, That’s It bars, trail mix with nuts, peanut butter M&Ms, dried fruits, especially dried apricots, which are some of the densest dried fruits, and beef jerky. 

Make sure you bring some electrolytes. These are good for combating altitude sickness. I brought some Honey Stinger gels as a last-minute thought, but they saved me on day three when I wasn’t feeling well! 

Breakfast

For breakfast, we brought Pop-Tarts and BoBo’s Peanut Butter and Jelly Oat snacks to eat with a packet of Justin’s peanut butter, all of which are easy to pack and lightweight. Our friends made peanut butter tortillas or oatmeal for breakfast. 

Because we are self-proclaimed coffee snobs, we also brought a collapsible pour-over coffee dripper and coffee filters. It was one of the only things I looked forward to in the morning, so for that it was worth it. However, it was time-consuming so we skipped it on the last day to make better time. 

Lunch

For ease, we mostly ate our snacks for lunch. The first day we packed a peanut butter bagel for lunch. You can also eat dehydrated meals just know you will need to take a longer break.

Dinner

We brought a variety of freeze-dried meals for dinners. They are super easy to make – just add hot water. It is a luxury to have a warm meal on the trail. However, they do add a bit of weight that could be avoided because you have to bring a cook-set. I think it is worth it though. 

Our favorite freeze-dried meal was the Chicken and Dumplings by Mountain House Adventure Meals because it was hearty and comforting. It also rehydrated well. Our second favorite was AlpineAire Kung Pao Beef. Usually they serve two people so Luke and I just shared out of the same bag to avoid doing dishes. 

We tried two freeze-dried desserts from Backpacker’s Pantry: dark chocolate cheesecake and mango sticky rice. The dark chocolate cheesecake was delicious, and the mango sticky rice was pretty good but a little too soupy, although that might have been user error.

Read More: 8 Day Hikes Near Denver

Where to Stay Before and After Backpacking Maroon Bells Four Pass Loop

The easiest place to stay before backpacking Maroon Bells Four Pass Loop is Aspen because it is the closest city. However, Aspen is notoriously expensive, so I recommend staying in Carbondale or Glenwood Springs because they are more affordable and within an hour’s drive.

I am a fan of Glenwood Springs because it has two hot springs and a cute, walkable downtown area, so that is where we chose to stay. 

Budget Hotel Option in Glenwood Springs

We tried two different hotels, one before and one after, on our trip to Maroon Bells. Adventure Inn Glenwood Springs is a budget-friendly hotel that allows pets on request with not many amenities and a slightly disappointing breakfast included. There is AC in the room, however, we didn’t feel like it worked very well, and the bed wasn’t the most comfortable.

It is a five-minute drive to downtown Glenwood Springs where most of the restaurants are located. If you are simply looking for an affordable place to sleep, it is a good option. 

Mid-Range Hotel Option in Glenwood Springs

After we completed our hike, we wanted something a bit nicer, so we stayed at the Best Western Antlers at Glenwood Springs. The rooms are large, clean, and include a sitting area. The beds are comfortable. The breakfast spread was varied and offered warm dishes, which was excellent after four days in the wilderness. Pets are allowed for an additional fee.

There is also a pool and several picnic areas around the grounds with BBQ facilities. It is within walking distance to the downtown, although we were so tired of walking at that point that we opted to drive. I thoroughly enjoyed our stay and would stay here again in the future.

Local Food Recommendations in Glenwood Springs

We stayed in Glenwood Springs after completing the hike with the thought of going to the hot springs, but we were too tired. Instead, we ate our hearts out at Smoke BBQ and then went back to the Best Western to crash. It was the perfect post-hike meal, heavy on meat and carbs. Luke and I shared a three-meat plate with pulled pork, jalapeno beef sausage, and beef brisket with a side of macaroni and cheese and a loaded baked potato. 

We also tried the Glenwood Canyon Brewpub before the backpacking trip. It was a great place to get a burger or other pub food. 

Backpacking Maroon Bells Four Pass Loop Reflections

Backpacking Maroon Bells Four Pass Loop tested my limits. It reframed everything I thought I could do. It was the hardest thing I have ever done. I do not say that lightly. I am so proud of myself for completing Four Pass Loop. Knowing what I know now, I am not sure I would do it again. However, it was an experience I will never forget with some of the most beautiful, untouched landscapes I have ever seen. 

If you are looking for a challenging but rewarding backpacking trip, Maroon Bells Four Pass Loop is a great option. This iconic Colorado loop is a trip that any seasoned backpacker must do at some point! Is backpacking Maroon Bells Four Pass Loop something that you want to do? Do you have any tips for backpacking Four Pass Loop? 

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