Four Pass Loop

The Road Trip

On July 24th, 2018, our two-man adventure team will be setting off on our long drive from Chicago to Colorado. We will be crashing for the night near the halfway point in Nebraska. The drive to Colorado will take around 19 hours total.

For our second day driving, we will be staying in Aspen for the day once we arrive, which will be nice to give our bodies at least a night’s sleep in the elevation to help us acclimate. After a restful night, we will wake up fairly early to get to the trail parking lot because from what i’ve read, it fills up fast.

Introduction to the Four Pass Loop

Trail Stats

Distance: 26.6 miles (loop)

Elevation: 9,580-ft. – 12,500-ft.

Elevation Gain: 2,920-ft.

Difficulty: strenuous

Basecamp(s): Aspen / Crested Butte

Region: Central Colorado

This iconic hike through the Maroon Bells is a 26.6-mile backpacking circuit around the breathtaking Maroon Bells climbs over four 12,000-ft. passes: West Maroon, Frigid Air, Trail Rider and Buckskin. The loop travels through some of the best scenery the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness has to offer. Along the hike, you travel through lush wildflower meadows, surrounded by epic mountain views as you continue along through the scenic forest among beautiful streams and lakes.

Typically, the Four Pass Loop takes three to four days to complete, though you can make this shorter or longer depending on your personal preference. The trip can be extended with extra side trips to Geneva Lake and Willow Pass. For my trip, we will be hiking over four days because this is our first backpacking trip after all. We are planning on taking our time to allow exploration and relaxation amid the breathtaking scenery.

There is also the option to traverse the Four Pass Loop clockwise or counterclockwise. After diving in and researching the trip, I’ve concluded that walking the loop in a clockwise direction is the best option. The trail up the West Maroon Valley is not as steep and therefore easier when carrying a full pack compared to the trail ascending Buckskin Pass. Additionally, the gradual increase in elevation day-to-day will be less of a shock to our Midwestern lungs. As a bonus, some of the most majestic mountain pass views will be saved for the tail end of the hike to make it that much more rewarding.

 

When Should I Hike?

Due to the thaw, hiking too early in the year can be incredibly challenging, even for the experienced hiker. The snow can cover the trails, and also make your assents much more challenging. Even if you can tackle the snow-covered trails, the high river crossings may make crossing impossible altogether. That being said, if you make the trip late in the year, you may miss out on the beautiful wildflowers blooming throughout the loop.

It is best to wait until around mid summer to attempt the trip.

I will be making the trip near the end of July, as I’ve determined this will make for the most ideal conditions. It is worth noting that this is a popular destinations so if you want to avoid the crowds, try to plan your trip for mid-week or even go during a less busy season during the early fall.

 

And We’re Off!

After scouring the internet for any and all information related to this hike, I’ve assembled our hiking schedule with some relevant information about each day’s hike. We will be hiking 4 days and 3 nights. I’ve figured out and plotted our approximate camp locations for each day. Now, this isn’t set in stone but if all goes well our trip should look something like this:

Day 1 – West Maroon Valley

Start from the West Maroon Portal at Maroon Lake and head toward the far end of the lake onto West Maroon Trail #1970. You will be entering the Maroon Bells Snowmass Wilderness here. Be sure to grab a permit and to attach it to your pack. Head for Crater Lake stopping for a snack to enjoy the views. Note the unique close up perspective of the Maroon Bells, then continue up the W. Maroon Valley to several campsites located near the trail. (5 miles)

Trailhead to West Maroon Pass

Looking west from the pass towards Purity Basin and the Treasure Mountains

Distance: 6.5 miles (one-way) to West Maroon Pass (12,500-ft.)

Elevation gain/loss: 2,920-ft.

 

Day 2 – Maroon Pass and Frigid Air Pass

Head for West Maroon Pass early in the morning. Pause to enjoy the views from the pass, then descend a series of switchbacks. Take the right fork at the trail junction (North Fork Trail #1974) to head up Frigid Air Pass. Beyond the pass lies the verdant Fravert Basin. Stay the night at one of the campsites here. Arrive early, because campsites fill quickly. Campsites are numbered and marked with a stake. (5 miles)

West Maroon Pass to Trail Rider Pass

Great view to the southwest from Trail Rider Pass

West Maroon Pass (12,500-ft.) to Frigid Air (12,400-ft.)

Distance: 2.4 miles (one way)

Elevation gain/loss: +687-ft./-787-ft.

 

Frigid Air (12,400-ft.) to Trail Rider Pass (12,420-ft.)

Distance: 7.1 miles (one way)

Elevation gain/loss: +2,150-ft. / -2,130-ft.

 

Day 3 – Trail Rider Pass to Snowmass Lake

Today, you’ll descend from the Fravert Basin following the descent of the North Fork of the Crystal River. After a steep drop over some trail switchbacks, trail #1974 joins trail #1976, the North Fork Cutoff Trail. Take the N. Fork cutoff toward the next pass, Trail Rider Pass. The trail will connect with Geneva Lake Trail (#1973) but you may never notice the change in the name of the trail. Climb the switchbacks to the top of Trail Rider Pass and enjoy the views of Snowmass Peak and Snowmass Lake below. Then head for camp at Snowmass Lake. (7 mi.)

Trail Rider Pass to Buckskin Pass

Snowmass Peak, Hagerman Peak and Snowmass Mountain from the northeast shore of Snowmass Lake

Trail Rider Pass (12,420-ft.) to Snowmass Lake (10,980-ft.)

Distance: 2.2 miles (one way)

Elevation gain/loss: -1,440-ft.

Snowmass Lake (10,980-ft.) to Buckskin Pass (12,462-ft.)

Distance: 3.8 miles (one-way)

Elevation gain/loss: +1,692-ft./-210-ft.

 

Day 4 – Buckskin Pass to Trailhead

From Snowmass Lake, take the Maroon Snowmass Trail (#1975) toward the last pass, Buckskin Pass. The Maroon Snowmass Trail drops from Snowmass Lake into a boggy area before ascending to 12,462 ft. Buckskin Pass. Enjoy the views of the north face of Maroon Bells on the right, and of purple hued Pyramid Peak straight ahead. Descend into Minnehaha Gulch and continue on trail #1975 toward Crater Lake. At the lake, make a left heading back toward Maroon Lake on the trail you first arrived on 4 days before. (8 mi.)

Buckskin Pass to the Trailhead

Great view to the west of Hagerman Peak, Snowmass Mountain and Capitol Peak from Buckskin Pass

Distance: 4.6 miles (one-way) to Trailhead (9,580-ft.)

Elevation gain/loss: -2,882-ft.

 

What Do I Need To Know?

Overnight hikers in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness are now required to use IGBC approved bear proof food storage containers. I had initially hoped we could get away with stringing up a bear bag but from what I can tell, an approved bear canister is now required. All food, garbage and attractant must be stored in hard-sided bear-resistant containers. The Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness is in bear country and due to an increase in use, increase in bear activity and a focus on safety the Forest Service has instituted new regulations that requires overnight hikers to use IGBC (Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee Courtesy) approved bear proof food storage containers. As a reminder of proper use of the containers; all food (including alcohol), trash, and toiletries must fit in the container. Also, if you don’t want to purchase a bear canister, keep in mind that a few local store in Aspen allow you to rent as well as purchase.

Permits:
Each party overnighting in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness is required to self-register at the trailhead and to carry a copy of the registration with them during their visit. There is no fee charged and no limit to the number of permits issued. There are free self-registration Wilderness Use Permits available at the trailhead, one at the parking lot and one at the wilderness boundary on the way to Crater Lake. The Forest Service now requires people to include their camping locations for each night. This greatly helps the Forest Service to document the highest used camping areas.

Camping:

1. a) Is not allowed within one hundred (100) feet of any lake, stream or National Forest System Trail;
2. b) Is not allowed within 1/4 mile of Conundrum Hot Springs, Copper Lake, Crater Lake, Geneva Lake, Capitol Lake, and Thomas Lakes, except at designated campsites.

Campfires:

1. a) Are not allowed within one hundred (100) feet of any lake, stream or National Forest System Trail;
2. b) Are not allowed within ¼ mile of Crater Lake;
3. c) Are not allowed above 10,800 ft. elevation

Group Size:
No more than 10 persons per group, and a maximum of 15 pack or saddle animals. Note: see current regulations regarding hitching, hobbling, tethering and livestock feed for pack animals on the White River National Forest Wilderness Regulations page (url: http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/whiteriver/specialplaces/?cid=stelprd3825863 ).

Dogs:

1. a) All dog must be under physical restraint of a leash not to exceed six (6) feet in length.
2. b) Dogs are not allowed within the Conundrum Creek Valley from Silver Dollar Pond (2.25 miles North of Conundrum Hot Springs) to Triangle Pass (1.5 miles Southwest of Conundrum Hot Springs), including Conundrum Hot Springs.

Switchbacks:
Please don’t cut switchbacks. “Short-cutting” switchbacks causes soil erosion! When you cut a trail you kill vegetation and loosen soil creating a new trail that channels water from storms and snowmelt, causing erosion and trail damage.

Leave No Trace:
Always practice Leave No Trace principles when backpacking.

 

Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Regulations

Before leaving on your backpack, please check the White River Forest website Wilderness Regulations page for current regulations to insure that there are not any temporary closures or other restrictions not listed below. The website address is http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/whiteriver/specialplaces/?cid=stelprd3825863 .