We hit the trail, headlamps blazing. Loved every steep. The date of our run got closer and closer, and suddenly, the summer was gone and my 3 AM alarm was sounding off in my tent. As such it is one of the most popular summer trails. The Four Pass Loop is generally considered the best backpacking trip in Colorado, and has a strong argument for being one of the most stunning loops in North America. Halfway between the passes, go straight toward Maroon at a T, meeting West Maroon Trail. This classic 26.6-mile backpacking circuit around the spectacular Maroon Bells climbs over four 12,000-ft. passes (West Maroon - 12,500 ft.; Frigid Air - 12,415 ft.; Trail Rider - 12,420 ft.; Buckskin - 12,500 ft.) and travels through some of the finest scenery in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. I have read recommendations that the 4 Pass Loop in Maroon Bells Aspen Snowmass … Hiking the Four Pass Loop in Maroon Bells in June. LOCALS KNOW I am planning a backpacking trip to CO starting on June 17th. End at Schofield Park, 14 miles from town. The Loop has some of the most rugged and varied beautiful terrains that any trail has … Why did I pick something with four mountains?!? Backpackers will be required to make a reservation for a designated campsite. In this report, we … Backpacker editors just named the Four Pass Loop one of our favorite trips ever—and Rockies readers agree, voting this their #1 hike. At 27 miles … The 7 Principles of Leave No Trace are even more important in areas of high traffic, so if you aren’t familiar with them, please take some time to look them over. From Hasley Basin, continue south along West Maroon instead of turning to complete the Four Pass Loop. Wildlife, Create Recommended Route or It’s probably too hard for me… But I think I’m going to try it this spring. It is often traversed by backpackers over the course of 3 to 4 days... but ultra runners on the other hand, like to do it one (very long) day! The P/B loop also has … This Four Pass Loop will take you through these high peaks and into some of the most otherworldly looking alpine basins for an unforgettable backpacking trip. The Four Pass Loop is a 28 mile round trip with 8,000 feet of elevation gain and loss that stays around 10,000 to 12,000 feet in elevation covering four mountain passes in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. Could I even do this? Posted by u/[deleted] 1 year ago. Four Pass Loop? For many, the Four Pass Loop trail is the quintessential Colorado backpacking adventure. But the challenges and rewards were very well balanced, and I would go back in a heartbeat. I questioned if I should continue on, but I pushed the pain out of my mind and kept going. From Frigid Air summit (12,500'), take heart because you have just two miles and much less vertical relief to Maroon Pass. Down the road a bit is a quaint roundabout designed to make Aspen look even less like Hollywood and … Well, maybe not every one. Punch it over your final 12,500' pass, and cruise the last seven miles down the West Maroon Creek drainage to … As the name implies, the loop hits four high passes -- Buckskin (12,462'), Trail Rider (12,415'), Frigid Air (12,500'), and West Maroon (12,490'). Four Pass Loop Topographic Map. By the beginning of the third pass, the lack of food had me doubled over, clutching my cramping legs giving out underneath me. Copyright © 2020 PAIRIN. … We hiked 2 mi. I did it. Four Pass Loop - Days 1 & 2 ; Four Pass Loop - Buckskin Benchmark Google Map of Route + Campsites Some quick thoughts about the trip: - It's not a stroll through Central Park. The Four Pass Loop is described as “an all-time journey over four 12,500 foot alpine passes, circumnavigating the Maroon Bells.” Many people do the 27-mile long trail as a four-day backpacking trip to enjoy the panoramic views in the mountains and tackle the 7,327 feet of elevation gain at a sane pace of one mountain pass per day. Whether you stay in Denver or Aspen (or somewhere else) is up to you, but acclimating will help prepare you for the hike. Hiking the Four Pass Loop in Maroon Bells in June. The Four Pass Loop is wonderful little hike outside of the wonderful little town of Aspen, Colorado. Day 1: Departure time 1pm. Many enjoyable side hikes, detours or alternate access points can be added to make the Loop … The connection of trails that forms the loop typically starts from Maroon Lake in the Maroon Bells. $100 and I had been exploring the Sangres outside of Westcliffe this summer, and this seemed like a great loop to do. 15. Posted in: Training, Training and racing with kids. In late July, you’ll pass fields of elbow-tickling blooms, including larkspur, columbine, aster, sky pilot, and lupine, as you trace the East Fork of the Crystal River. Conditions. On this loop you hike over four passes (hence the name) over 12,000 feet – West Maroon Pass (12,590 ft), Frigid Air Pass (12,415 ft), Trail Rider Pass (12,420 ft), and Buckskin Pass (12,500). We hiked this loop … The Four Pass Loop is incredibly short, clocking in at a mere 28 miles (45 kilometers), but the distance is deceptive. At that point, I was halfway done with the elevation gain. 26mi Jun 28, 2006 Eric Nentrup. Not to be confused with Hollywood, Aspen is actually a ski town with several fine mountains, namely Ajax and Aspen Highlands. Not exactly a great choice for a first marathon. Four Pass Loop Climbing over four 12,000+ foot mountain passes in 28 miles, Four Pass Loop has some of the most amazing scenery Colorado has to offer. Reviewed August 19, 2016 . This race will be a wildcard for me, but I’m excited to have a goal to work towards and it’s motivated me to be as ready as possible. Four Pass Loop has 3,560 members. The route is a grand tour through meadows, valleys, alpine lakes, streams, … Ready or not, it was time to begin the run. The Four Pass Loop can be hiked in either the clockwise or counter clockwise directions. Erin comes from a background in marketing and branding, creating consumer brands from the ground up and the digital and retail experiences that support them. This loop was followed up by a day-hike and overnight stay at the Conundrum Hot Springs. Four Pass Loop is a 27.1 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Aspen, Colorado that features a lake and is rated as difficult. Before long we arrived at another intersection where the spur to the left led us quickly to the campsites located on the eastern edge of Snowmass Lake. You can hike the loop … Here’s their advice for getting the 26-mile, four-day route’s sparkling creeks, peak-ringed lakes, and, yes, a quartet of 12,000-foot passes all to yourself. Conditions. For the less rational, it’s completed in one day. Could my knees even handle all that descent? I knew I would run one eventually, but had always found a reason to avoid the rigorous training required. The sun came up with us as we submitted the first brutal pass. The Four Pass Loop – Colorado’s quintessential backpacking adventure. Best bring your A game for this grueling hike. While backpacking the Four Pass Loop you are rewarded with some stunning overlooks of Snowmass Lake. The Four Pass Loop is just shy of 27 miles and has numerous places where backpackers can connect. The Four Pass Loop begins at Maroon Lake, famous for its iconic view of the Maroon Bells (Maroon Peak and North Maroon Peak), deemed the “most-photographed spot in Colorado.” - Put your boots inside your tent at night (not in between your tent and rain fly). Please read the Announcement pinned to the top of the Discussion Board for recent updates about the parking permits and shuttle situation and the early season trail conditions for … Colorado is the first state to partner with Leave … Close. W2RhdGEtdG9vbHNldC1ibG9ja3MtaW1hZ2U9ImJhZDEzOGQ1YTJkMzg5N2NkNGEwMGRhMjVhYzI1ZDM5Il0geyBtYXgtd2lkdGg6IDEwMCU7IH0gW2RhdGEtdG9vbHNldC1ibG9ja3MtaW1hZ2U9IjNlNjkyZmQ5ODg2Y2M1OWViNDM1M2RmZWMzYzUyZTE2Il0geyBtYXgtd2lkdGg6IDEwMCU7IH0g. This challenging trek scales four passes over 12,400' with stunning views and long stretches of open alpine travel. We finally got after it this past weekend. Nearby Recommended Routes. Trail, White River National Forest - Maroon Bells, improvements At Snowmass Lake I was … I first heard about the Rito Alto Four Pass loop from an REI hiking app on my phone. Not to mention the 27 miles of trail…the farthest I’d ever run. The loop extends for a total of 27 miles and includes more than 8,000 feet of elevation gain. This broad experience has given her an integrated approach to her focus in UI/UX at PAIRIN where she is able to most effectively exercise her passion for problem-solving. What would breathing be like at 12,500 feet? Colorado's Four Pass Loop is perhaps one of the most famous backpacking trip... Footage from my fall trip through the epic Maroon Bells and Snowmass Wilderness. It was literally all downhill from there, and despite my aching knees, the last eight miles to the finish breezed by. 1 mile from trailhead. The second pass was even steeper and longer than the first, and I was burning through my food and water too quickly. The 26-mile Four-Pass Loop begins at Maroon Lake and its postcard views of the Maroon Bells (the most-photographed peaks in North America, according to the U.S. Forest Service). When the COVID-19 pandemic hit the U.S. this past spring and visits to restaurants, climbing gyms, and other social gatherings came to a screeching halt, so did my excuses. We left the Springs on Friday at 5:30PM and got to the Comanche/Venable trailhead about … Aspen’s Four Pass Loop is best enjoyed by those who have experience with challenging overnight trips or have the proper backpacking gear and are very physically fit. Er, step. It only made sense to keep going! The Maroon Bells are the backdrop to many photos depicting the Aspen area. Why Hike Four Pass Loop. I’ve been a runner my whole life and I have always dreamed of running a marathon. Somehow, our group arrived at this bucket list trail as an objective. The famous Four Pass Loop backpacking route within Maroon Bells – Snowmass Wilderness is an international treasure. … I can't remember when I first heard … Our ‘Three Pass Loop’ Posted by sarianderson on July 29, 2012. For the duration of the summer, the numbers loomed in my mind. The Four Pass Loop is one of Colorado’s most well known hikes. What would going up 7,327 feet feel like? All Rights Reserved. Review of Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Area. 4 Days, 3 Nights. Hope you enjoy what I consider to be the backpacking trip of a lifetime. Four Pass Loop. Trail Map | Photo Gallery West Maroon Pass (12,465') This was by far our best campsite while backpacking the Four Pass Loop. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, fishing, and backpacking and is … Hiking trail near Aspen, Colorado. Four Pass Loop and Maroon Bells Snowmass Wilderness Tips. Grail said a wilderness ranger will … This route rewards experienced hikers with breathtaking alpine lakes and incredible mountain vistas. The Four Pass Loop is a 26.6-mile trail just outside of Aspen, Colorado in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. We enjoyed stunning views, wildlife, and wildflowers, and the good fortune of perfect weather. It tests the soul, and feeds it at the same time. There was no option to turn back, I’d have to summit two mountains to turn around, or two to finish. A Colorado backcountry classic, Four Pass Loop travels around the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness area over four mountain passes that exceed 12,000 feet. We started at Maroon Lake and did the loop clockwise, after making a left at Crater Lake toward West Maroon Pass. Depending on a parties’ ability, trail and weather conditions, this loop can take between 3 and 5 days to complete. There will be a limited number of sites available, so the system limits use to what is deemed an acceptable level. to Crater Lake and another 3.5 to … The Four Pass Loop accessed from the Maroon Lake trailhead is 26 miles with ~11,000 ft. (3,350 meters) of vertical gain. All four passes, all 27 miles, all 7,327 feet. Archived. How to get there: From Aspen There wasn’t much left to do except run. With that said, the climb from Pawnee Lake to Pawnee Pass is more difficult than any of four pass passes. Trail has … Why hike Four Pass Loop in the Maroon Bells are the backdrop many... 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