West Maroon
Begins at the forest's mile 0, 39.0888, -106.9660 - no trailhead mapped Drive to where the trail begins
Four Pass Loop - West Maroon to Buckskin the Forest Service's write-up
<strong>Fees are charged for high season</strong> overnight stays in permitted zones of the Maroon Bells - Snowmass Wilderness, and for parking and shuttle reservations at <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whiteriver/recarea/?recid=82346">Maroon Bells Scenic Area</a>. · reservation required
ALERTS:
• Bear canisters are required for all backpackers in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness.
• Advance reservation permits are required for overnight stays in the Maroon Bells - Snowmass Wilderness Overnight Permit Zones.
Get Permits
The famous Four Pass Loop backpacking route within Maroon Bells – Snowmass Wilderness is an international treasure. This 26 mile (42 km) circuit climbs over four mountain passes higher than 12,000 ft, past clear alpine lakes and among the rugged Elk Range peaks.
Make sure to plan ahead and know before you go! Early summer snowmelt makes the river crossing perilous and deep snow persists on the passes until late in the summer. Sudden thunderstorms can catch travelers exposed far from the cover of tree-line in mid-summer and snow fall returns to the high country early.
The Four Pass Loop is considered a difficult and challenging route due to the elevation and terrain.
Restrictions <h4><a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whiteriver/recarea/?recid=81118">Maroon Bells - Snowmass Wilderness</a> regulations protect this special place:</h4><ul><li><strong>Overnight permit required </strong>for overnight stays within the <a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fs.usda.gov%2FInternet%2FFSE_DOCUMENTS%2Ffseprd1083862.pdf&data=05%7C01%7C%7C858b5b65c3e44f31eb4a08daf96f07b9%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C638096552521659688%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=eRHf4%2Fc7xcXGal93pYbLdbtvvXA9N4hqlqiJzF%2FMbps%3D&reserved=0">Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Overnight Permit Zones</a>.</li><li><strong>Food, trash and any scented items must be stored in an </strong><a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fs.usda.gov%2FInternet%2FFSE_DOCUMENTS%2Ffseprd1029220.pdf&data=05%7C01%7C%7C858b5b65c3e44f31eb4a08daf96f07b9%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C638096552521659688%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=ovvBLvxS%2BG%2BH0eqUr8rCPtx05BwOag4Ih6cdp4hfMcw%3D&reserved=0">IGBC approved bear resistant container</a><strong>. </strong>Human food habituated bears are a threat to human safety. Visitors without approved bear resistant containers will be ticketed and required to leave. </li><li><strong>You must have a plan for human waste. Human waste bags (WAG) bags are highly recommended</strong> and are available free of charge at the Conundrum Creek and Snowmass Lake trailheads. WAG bags must be packed out. <a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DBpiX07wPKgE%26feature%3Dyoutu.be&data=05%7C01%7C%7C858b5b65c3e44f31eb4a08daf96f07b9%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C638096552521659688%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=pxQ5Vr7wM7EA61DEY3UhzqG4o%2BUDYxC8G7IJUz4kUfM%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank">Learn more</a> about how to use a WAG bag. If a WAG bag is not used, visitors are required to deposit solid human waste in holes dug 6 to 8 inches deep at least 200 feet (70 paces) from water, camp and trails.</li><li><strong>Group size is limited to 10 with no more than 15 stock animals in one group</strong>. Large groups multiply impacts to the wilderness and disrupt the solitude of others.</li><li><strong>Dogs are prohibited</strong> in the Conundrum Creek Valley from Silver Dollar Pond to Triangle Pass, including the hot springs. <strong> Everywhere else, dogs must be leashed.</strong></li><li><strong>Campfires are prohibited </strong>at all designated sites at Conundrum Hot Springs, Capitol Lake, Crater Lake and above 10,800 feet including Snowmass Lake. Campfires consume wood, accumulate trash, kill fragile alpine vegetation, sterilize the soil and scar the land. Lightweight camp stoves are recommended.</li><li><strong>Campers must camp in designated sites</strong><strong> </strong>at Conundrum Hot Springs, Copper Lake, Crater Lake, Geneva Lake, Capitol Lake and Thomas Lakes. Everywhere else campers should set up more than 100 feet from lakes, streams and trails and use previously impacted campsites. Camp out of sight of others and away from fragile areas.</li><li><strong>As with all designated Wilderness, motorized and mechanized equipment is prohibited </strong>including bicycles, motorbikes, chainsaws, ATVs, carts, drones, hang gliders and paragliders. This equipment is prohibited to provide visitors with a primitive recreational experience and to preserve outstanding opportunities for solitude.</li></ul>
West Maroon #1970 the Forest Service's write-up
<strong>Fees are charged for high season</strong> overnight stays in permitted zones of the Maroon Bells - Snowmass Wilderness, and for parking and shuttle reservations at <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whiteriver/recarea/?recid=82346">Maroon Bells Scenic Area</a>. · reservation required
ALERTS:
• Bear canisters are required for all backpackers in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness.
• Advance reservation permits are required for overnight stays in the Maroon Bells - Snowmass Wilderness Overnight Permit Zones.
Get Permits
The West Maroon Trail starts at Maroon Lake and climbs through aspen trees to Crater Lake. Take the left fork at Crater Lake. After the lake the trail follows the stream for a short distance and then enters the forest. Upon emerging from the forest you will cross a rocky scree field. The first stream crossing is in a little over three miles. This crossing is fairly wide and can be extremely dangerous during high spring runoffs. The trail on the other side is not always visible before crossing. The trail climbs through forest and willow before reaching another stream crossing in an open area. After crossing, the trail climbs steadily through willow and then tundra. This area is very open and the pass can be seen in the distance.
The trail continues to climb steeply through switchbacks followed by a long traverse that ends at the top of the Pass. The views are spectacular on a clear day. From the top of the pass the trail descends on the other side to the East Fork Creek Trail and Schofield Park into Crested Butte or Frigid Air Pass.
Restrictions <h4><a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whiteriver/recarea/?recid=81118">Maroon Bells - Snowmass Wilderness</a> regulations protect this special place:</h4><ul><li><strong>Overnight permit required </strong>for overnight stays within the <a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fs.usda.gov%2FInternet%2FFSE_DOCUMENTS%2Ffseprd1083862.pdf&data=05%7C01%7C%7C858b5b65c3e44f31eb4a08daf96f07b9%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C638096552521659688%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=eRHf4%2Fc7xcXGal93pYbLdbtvvXA9N4hqlqiJzF%2FMbps%3D&reserved=0">Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Overnight Permit Zones</a>.</li><li><strong>Food, trash and any scented items must be stored in an </strong><a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fs.usda.gov%2FInternet%2FFSE_DOCUMENTS%2Ffseprd1029220.pdf&data=05%7C01%7C%7C858b5b65c3e44f31eb4a08daf96f07b9%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C638096552521659688%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=ovvBLvxS%2BG%2BH0eqUr8rCPtx05BwOag4Ih6cdp4hfMcw%3D&reserved=0">IGBC approved bear resistant container</a><strong>. </strong>Human food habituated bears are a threat to human safety. Visitors without approved bear resistant containers will be ticketed and required to leave. </li><li><strong>You must have a plan for human waste. Human waste bags (WAG) bags are highly recommended</strong> and are available free of charge at the Conundrum Creek and Snowmass Lake trailheads. WAG bags must be packed out. <a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DBpiX07wPKgE%26feature%3Dyoutu.be&data=05%7C01%7C%7C858b5b65c3e44f31eb4a08daf96f07b9%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C638096552521659688%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=pxQ5Vr7wM7EA61DEY3UhzqG4o%2BUDYxC8G7IJUz4kUfM%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank">Learn more</a> about how to use a WAG bag. If a WAG bag is not used, visitors are required to deposit solid human waste in holes dug 6 to 8 inches deep at least 200 feet (70 paces) from water, camp and trails.</li><li><strong>Group size is limited to 10 with no more than 15 stock animals in one group</strong>. Large groups multiply impacts to the wilderness and disrupt the solitude of others.</li><li><strong>Dogs are prohibited</strong> in the Conundrum Creek Valley from Silver Dollar Pond to Triangle Pass, including the hot springs. <strong> Everywhere else, dogs must be leashed.</strong></li><li><strong>Campfires are prohibited </strong>at all designated sites at Conundrum Hot Springs, Capitol Lake, Crater Lake and above 10,800 feet including Snowmass Lake. Campfires consume wood, accumulate trash, kill fragile alpine vegetation, sterilize the soil and scar the land. Lightweight camp stoves are recommended.</li><li><strong>Campers must camp in designated sites</strong><strong> </strong>at Conundrum Hot Springs, Copper Lake, Crater Lake, Geneva Lake, Capitol Lake and Thomas Lakes. Everywhere else campers should set up more than 100 feet from lakes, streams and trails and use previously impacted campsites. Camp out of sight of others and away from fragile areas.</li><li><strong>As with all designated Wilderness, motorized and mechanized equipment is prohibited </strong>including bicycles, motorbikes, chainsaws, ATVs, carts, drones, hang gliders and paragliders. This equipment is prohibited to provide visitors with a primitive recreational experience and to preserve outstanding opportunities for solitude.</li></ul>