Point weather forecast for West Maroon Pass: Here. Needless to say, they are the most photographed peaks in North America. The popular West Maroon Pass also follows the first part of this trail. It was a very steep incline but short lived. Wildflower bloom peaks in mid-to-late July. Then go up buckskin pass trail and camp along the creek there. Please don’t pick, cut, or walk on wildflowers or other plants. Sometimes it also delivers an … The hike starts at 9,580-feet at the Maroon Lake trailhead, and climbs 3,000 feet over 6.5 miles to West Maroon Pass before descending another 4.5 to Schofield Pass. From Aspen to WMP it's 6.5 miles with the first 5 miles being up/down, up/down with plenty of rocks on the trail and sometimes all rocks. The trail from Frigid Air Pass to West Maroon Pass has very little water, althought it is possible to lose elevation down to the East Fork of the Crystal River is water is needed. West Maroon Pass (12,465') is located 6.45 miles from Maroon Lake in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. 14. getting closer to west maroon pass . Because this part of the wilderness area provides access points to many of the surrounding 14ers and different trails, like Buckskin Pass, it can be very crowded. And if it is too much, you can always hike up to west maroon pass, check it out, then camp along the river or down by crater lake. Bus service from Aspen Highlands to the Maroon Bells trailhead on the Aspen side. They had an awful winter for snow so the rivers will all be really low and easily cross-able. July 14, 2019 Update. West Maroon Trail, Aspen Picture: Looking over Crater Lake - Check out Tripadvisor members' 7,379 candid photos and videos. Note: The Four Pass Loop is often snow-bound from October through June. View from the top of West Maroon Pass. (See driving directionns.) Originally published on October 28th 2013. Buses run about every 20min. Take the second exit onto Maroon Creek Road. Call Aspen Ranger Station (970) 925 3445 or check current NOAA Weather conditions. I’ve spent the last few days recuperating and I think I’m finally ready to actually tell the story. I would anticipate the weather to be at or below freezing at night if you are camping up high, otherwise in the high 30's. I'd prefer to go later in July but due to schedules this is the only time we could coordinate. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. More information here. West Maroon Pass is known for some of the most breathtaking and colorful wildflowers in the area, especially from mid-July into August. Follow the trail as it heads east through spruce trees along the north side of the East Fork of the Crystal River. In the early season, expect muddy trails, big creek crossings, and snow on the passes. Hiking down from Frigid Air, making way to West Maroon Pass. The route curved around to the right through verdant green meadows and gracefully ascended to the 12,500’ pass. July 20, 2019 Conditions Update For West Maroon Pass. Depending on the previous winter's snowfall, the trail typically becomes passable in late June to mid-July. Powered by the National Weather Service Digital Forecast Database. There are some campsites in this area. West Maroon Pass Summit: 12,500 feet . Finally begin the ascent up the rocky slopes to West Maroon Pass. We arrived at the pass at 10 am, after hiking 4 miles and climbing 2100 feet from the trailhead. I've been in some hairy situations forging on west maroon pass in the spring. This annual tradition started in 2018 when we decided to hike over West Maroon Pass (elevation 12,500’) from Crested Butte, CO to Aspen, Colorado, ending our 13-mile hike at the iconic Maroon Bells Lake. Wind (gust) / Humidity; Today . Jul 2019. maroonbellsshuttles Uncategorized. Max Elevation: 12,480' (West Maroon Pass) When to Go. The trailhead information describes the loop going counterclockwise: starting with Buckskin Pass, Trail Rider Pass, Frigid Air Pass, and West Maroon Pass. Forecast High / Low Precip. From Aspen to WMP it's 6.5 miles with the first 5 miles being up/down, up/down with plenty of rocks on the trail and sometimes all rocks. Conditions: Chance of light snow showers. There will be spots that have snow but you’ll be able to navigate around them or get across them easily enough. West Maroon Trail is a 20.4 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Aspen, Colorado that features a lake and is rated as difficult. The new plan was to sleep long and deeply and be transformed into well-rested machines for the 13 mile, 4,000 vertical foot hike to Snowmass Lake on Day 2. If using this trail as part of the Four Pass Loop, the West Maroon Trail starts from an intersection with Fravert Basin Trail in Scholfield Park where you'll head east, away from Schofield Park to West Maroon Pass. This area is very open and Crater Lake can be seen in the distance. In fact, we didn’t make it over the first pass, West Maroon. Answer 1 of 6: We're planning to hike from Aspen to Crested Butte the last week of June - stay a few nights in Crested Butte and then hike back to Aspen. There was a surprising amount people at the pass including day hikers since we were closer to the trail head. Continuing down, there was no shade. The trip details below outline our Maroon Bells adventure, and everything we packed for it. Dogs are allowed but must be leashed . At 10:45am (mile 22, 12500ft) we made it to West Maroon pass. Near mile 4.2, (mile 2 if you started at Schofield Park), bypass the Hasley Basin Trail and continue toward a rolling basin below Frigid Air and West Maroon passes. This route is above treeline, but the view at the Pass day! Backpacking season stretches from July to October make it over the first Pass, the trail a... 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