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Backpacker Magazine – November 2010
Best Hikes Ever: Four-Pass Loop, CO
See the Rockies' most iconic mountains.
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Tags:
- Destinations |
- Colorado |
- Rocky Mountains |
Dissenting opinion “The Four-Pass Loop!? This Colorado Classic ™ had a ton of hikers in the 1970s,” grouses Steve Howe. “Since then, it’s survived Coors beer, John Denver, and a nearby oil boom, while gracing countless magazine covers. Just dayhike from Maroon Lake to West Maroon Pass and back—then get to business in the Grenadiers or Needle Mountains.”
In a state that’s chock-full of mesmerizing mountain ranges and superlative vistas, it might seem ambitious to name one hike the best—yet this is unquestionably it. 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). From there, it spans vast wildflower meadows, tops four passes (each higher than 12,400 feet), and circumnavigates the iconic pyramidal peaks, all the while serving up staggeringly perfect alpine panoramas. Even bad weather didn’t mar Michael Lanza’s trek: On this route, an hour of cloudless views is worth a week of sunshine anywhere else.
Do it From Maroon Lake, hike west two miles to Crater Lake, then follow the West Maroon Creek Trail over West Maroon Pass. Descend to the North Fork Fravert Basin Trail, and connect the North Fork Cutoff, Geneva Lake, and Maroon-Snowmass Trails to complete the loop.
Resources Driving From Aspen, take Maroon Creek Rd. nine miles to the overnight parking lot ($10). From mid-June to Labor Day (and on weekends through September), Maroon Creek Rd. is closed to private vehicles from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Take the shuttle ($6, 970-925-8484) from Aspen Highlands Village.
Map Trails Illustrated Maroon Bells Redstone Marble ($12, natgeomaps.com)
Permit Required (free at trailhead kiosk)
Contact (970) 925-3445; fs.fed.us/r2/whiteriver
Trip ID 551196
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READERS COMMENTS
My wife and I did this loop last August (2012), three nights/four days. Spectacular scenery. If you're used to solitude, as I am, you need to alter your mindset for this trip. You will see a lot of people, particularly during the first half of the trip. That being said, it's still worth doing, as the view from all four passes is wonderful.
My wife and I did this loop last August (2012), three nights/four days. Spectacular scenery. If you're used to solitude, as I am, you need to alter your mindset for this trip. You will see a lot of people, particularly during the first half of the trip. That being said, it's still worth doing, as the view from all four passes is wonderful.
My husband and I did this loop for our honeymoon and it was amazing. I want to go back and do it again and again - the views, the trails, the mountain passes - and I will never forget getting to the top of the pass and seeing Snowmass Lake for the first time - I was left speechless! Best.honeymoom.ever!
Did this hike in 2008 along with 3 of my friends. It was a wonderful experience. We spent 5 days, 4 nights on the trail, late July - early Auguest. Most of the crowds were encountered on the trail portion from the trailhead to Crater Lake. Other than here we only passed a few folks.
Solitude was great, night skies were spectacular. The wildflowers were amazing. Saw deer, ground squirrels, etc. Many butterflies, few biting insects. I hope to get out there again and do this trail again.
It ranks at the top of my lists of experiences. Yes, we did see a few folks, but that made the trip that much more interesting. Views were some I will never forget. Three of our group added a side trip to peak Snowmass, which was fantastic, while the other fished in Snowmass lake. Of I had the time, this would be a trip worth while every year.
Did this loop over a week last summer. I think this is one of the best backpacking trips you can go on the views from the passes are beautiful. As to the fact that there are people who say that there are tons of people I would say that it is a popular trail so some people are to be expected. On my trip we occasionally hit large church groups or whatever but for the most part we did not feel crowded off the trail or at the campsites.
Why did you do it a second time?
I guess you only want comments that hype the trail? Stay Classy, Backpacker.
the first time my wife and I did this trip, I was a disaster. There were so many hikers on the trail it felt like a city park. Ironically enough, the second time we did it we were followed by a bear sow and a cub for two miles! The mother ended up being rabid and had already mauled another couple earlier in the week. I'll pass on this 4 pass hike.
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