Snowmass Lake via Maroon-Snowmass Trail

For the adventurous backpacker looking to get backcountry in central Colorado, the stunning beauty of the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness cannot be beaten. While the Maroon Bells just outside of Aspen might be the most photographed mountains in North America, the beauty is definitely rivaled by Snowmass Peak, which stands prominently above Snowmass Lake. This is not to be confused with Snowmass Mountain, which is the 14er attached to Snowmass Peak via a long ridge, nor is it the same as the ski resort, but I digress.

Start the hike from the Maroon-Snowmass Trailhead and continue 8.5 miles to Snowmass Lake. This journey will take you about 4 hours of steady hiking and is 8.5 miles each way, 17 miles round trip.

This hike offers a tour of the wilderness area on a well-maintained trail in the depths of a valley, through a magnificent Aspen grove, across a log jam at Snowmass Creek, and then a steep ascent up switchbacks to finally arrive at Snowmass Lake.

While the net elevation gain is only about 1,500ft, there are many ups and downs that will have you climbing 2,500ft each way, for a 5,000ft total gain. Luckily there is great dispersed camping at the lake. Overnight stays at Snowmass Lake require advanced overnight permit reservations, which must be purchased in advance at recreation.gov. Bear food storage containers are also required in the wilderness. For more information about wilderness regulations, see here.

This trip can be combined into one segment of the infamous 4-Pass Loop, or you can make it a more simple out-and-back weekend.

For more information, check out the Forest Service Guide.