Relax at Maroon Lake

The Maroon Bells are known around the world for being some of the most iconic, beautiful mountains in all of the United States. Even if you haven't heard of them, there's a chance you've seen them. And if you've seen them in person, it's likely you were there with 800+ of your closest friends.

If you'd like to enjoy the Bells in solitude, without any agenda to complete some great through-hike from Crested Butte to Aspen, or soloing a Bell in winter (not recommended), there are a few general guidelines for success.

• Go early season when the snow has just melted, but it's still really crisp out.
• Go late in the evening, when the kids are hungry and tourists have gone back to town.
• Go in the dead of winter, when the road is completely closed and you have to ski, snowshoe, or fatbike yourself 14 miles round-trip.

If you drove to the parking lot by Maroon Lake, hit the beginner friendly 1.8 mile trail (3.6 roundtrip), and keep going to Crater Lake. The trail branches off from the Maroon Lake Trail once you reach the Deadly Bells Kiosk. Continue on this trail, climbing the rockslide that houses Crater Like at 10,076 feet. While you're hiking up to the lake, be prepared for cooler weather and potential thunderstorms.

If you can't kick the need to backpack, continue over Maroon Pass to Frigid Air Pass and Schofield Park, just above Crested Butte where the tourists are guaranteed to thin out. The options for hiking and recreating are literally endless here, but if you want to just sit back with the view and a book or a fishing rod, now you know when to go.