Hike Crested Butte to Aspen

From Crested Butte - West Maroon Trailhead: (SUV recommended): If you choose to drive, take Gothic Road (Route 135) north past the ski resort and over into the valley. Follow the road 14 miles (shortest route) from town past Emerald Lake and over Schofield Pass. Shortly after the pass, the well established parking lot and trailhead [A] is on the right side.

From Aspen - Maroon Lake Trailhead:  The upper road to the trailhead is restricted to private vehicles from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. during peak summer season except for disabled people, campers, families with young children in car seats, and outfitters. We recommend using the bus service. If you choose to drive, take route 82 west out of town. At the traffic circle take the 2nd exit onto Maroon Creek Rd (route 13) and continue up the road for 9.4 miles. The parking lot is just before Maroon Lake and tends to fill up for overnight parking in the summer.*

*Do not use Google or Map Quest as they may be inaccurate. Use textual driving instructions provided.

From the Crested Butte side, the trail starts off by winding through forest next to the Crystal River. A decaying cabin [1] is near the end of the forest. Just past the cabin is also where the trail forks. Bear right at the fork and enter the amazing fields of wildflowers. The next junction is nearly 2 miles ahead and hard to spot.  Look for a short wooden sign underneath the brush [3] and take the right fork toward West Maroon Pass.

Continue up the valley ascending a gradual incline until you reach the next signed junction for Frigid Air Pass [4]. West Maroon Pass is straight ahead. From here the trail gets steeper as you get closer to the pass [6]. The last quarter mile is particularly strenuous, but the effort is well worth the reward. From the summit, enjoy breath-taking views in every direction. The pass is small with dramatic rock pinnacles on either side.

The trail descending to Aspen starts out very steep and narrow, with slippery areas along the side of the slope [9]. The gradient gradually gets easier as elevation is lost, but most of the trail all the way to Maroon Lake, is very rocky. There are three crossings of Maroon Creek (your shoes/feet may get wet) as well. The narrow valley opens up again as you approach Crater Lake [11].

Walk past the base of Maroon and North Maroon Peak known as the Maroon Bells. These 14,000 ft peaks are the most photographed mountains in North America! The trail undulates as you approach and pass Crater Lake. The last stretch enters some aspen forest and finally exits at Maroon Lake. Turn around and take some of your own iconic photos [14].