Aspen, CO: Buckskin Pass to Snowmass Lake

This challenging, 16-mile roundtrip traverses Buckskin Pass for a sampling of Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Area highlights. Admire Maroon Lake’s surface reflection of the Maroon Bells before a steady climb through aspen turns sharply uphill from Crater Lake. The trail rises 2,200 feet over the next 2.7 miles, skirting Minnehaha Gulch’s rocky chasm and traversing a forest of avalanche-tossed trees on the way to sub-alpine meadows below Buckskin Pass. Atop the 12,462-foot pass, western views of Snowmass Mountain, southeast views of Pyramid Peak, and southern views of the Maroon Bells compete as photo-op backdrops before the trail drops quickly below red-hued cliffs into the marshy upper reaches of Snowmass Creek. About 2 miles from the pass, the descent mellows for a pine-shaded roll past a beaver-dammed marsh and a several well-marked junctions leading to Snowmass Lake’s rocky shore. Several campsites near the lake are prime real estate for base camps below Snowmass Mountain or overnight respites before the 1,400-foot climb back to Buckskin Pass. Backcountry camping in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness is free, but expect to pay a per-car fee or per-passenger shuttle fare to access the trailhead at Maroon Lake. -Mapped by Kristy Holland and Annie Whetzel

Trail Facts

• Distance: 13.3

Waypoints

BSM001

Location: 39.0984268, -106.9412842

From the Maroon Lake, hike west toward Crater Lake. In addition to toilets and water, there are three parking lots and a shuttle bus stop that helps reduce traffic during peak summer hours.

BSM002

Location: 39.0983925, -106.9440918

Continue straight @ 3-way junction, or if you’ve come via shuttle bus, join the main trail heading west along Maroon Lake.

BSM003

Location: 39.0980911, -106.9460297

Turn right @ Y-junction toward Crater Lake.

BSM004

Location: 39.0971222, -106.9478378

The trail passes the wilderness area boundary near the beginning of an aspen-shaded climb. Overnight hikers must self-register and carry the free overnight permit with them during their trip.

BSM005

Location: 39.0906105, -106.9597015

The trail flattens after a series of short switchbacks lead to a lichen-covered rock garden. Watch your footing as you wind around piles of angular rock.

BSM006

Location: 39.0896873, -106.9644547

The trail descends and offers glimpses of Crater Lake’s muddy waters below the towering Maroon Bells.

BSM007

Location: 39.0886536, -106.9659576

Turn right @ Y-junction and follow the Maroon-Snowmass Trail #1975 away from Crater Lake.

BSM008

Location: 39.0890198, -106.9695587

A stretch of broken aspen are evidence of this area’s winter avalanche danger.

BSM009

Location: 39.090641, -106.9779053

A rocky outcropping offers a glimpse into Minnehaha Gulch. Be careful near the cliff edge, the log-jammed river is about one hundred feet below the rocky cliff.

BSM010

Location: 39.093544, -106.9785995

A wide section of relatively flat, pine-covered trail precedes several small stream crossings. The last crossing is larger, nearly 20 feet across, and may present a challenge when water levels are high.

BSM011

Location: 39.0992393, -106.9849319

This trailside cascade is a great place to stop and rest before being fully exposed to the elements above treeline.

BSM012

Location: 39.1002541, -106.9849701

Turn left @ Y-junction toward Buckskin Pass, bypassing the Willow Pass and Willow Lake Trail.

BSM013

Location: 39.1020164, -106.9925461

Buskskin Pass (12,462 ft.) is this route’s high point. Snowmass Mountain dominates the western view but nearby grassy slopes offer dramatic contrast. Watch for mountain goats that frequent the rocky outcroppings above the pass.

BSM014

Location: 39.1059532, -107.0041351

After dropping quickly from the pass, the trail crisscrosses a small stream before leveling out along the relatively flat, marshy valley.

BSM015

Location: 39.1074791, -107.008934

A few steep, loose, rocky switchbacks traverse a steep meadow. Up ahead, the trail passes below a big, open, red-hued rock face.

BSM016

Location: 39.1089668, -107.016304

This rocky outcropping hides another campsite, just 100 feet to the right of the trail.

BSM017

Location: 39.1171722, -107.0263596

Go straight @ 3-way junction, following signs for Snowmass Lake. Or, turn right to scope out several individual campsites and a larger group site. There are more sites along the trail ahead, too.

BSM018

Location: 39.1174316, -107.0301056

A clearing next to Snowmass Lake is a great spot for a picnic and offers great views of Snowmass Mountain looming above.

Buckskin View

Location: 39.1019897, -106.9925461

Views of Snowmass Mountain and Snowmass Lake reward from the saddle of 12,462-foot Buckskin Pass. © Annie Whetzel

Warnings

Location: 39.0980606, -106.9455948

The dramatic cliffs of the Maroon Bells are also dangerous. Interpretive signs at the beginning of the trail warn about the hazards of backcountry travel. © Kristy Holland

Wilderness Boundary

Location: 39.0970955, -106.9477844

Overnight hikers are required to self-register at the wilderness area boundary. © Kristy Holland

Junction

Location: 39.0887032, -106.9663239

This signed Junction has a map of the Crater Lake campsites and marks the split between the West Maroon and Maroon-Snowmass trails. © Kristy Holland

Minnehaha Gulch

Location: 39.0907326, -106.9781723

© Kristy Holland

Cascade

Location: 39.0991592, -106.9850311

A trailside cascade is a good resting point before the final push toward Buckskin Pass. © Kristy Holland

Campsite

Location: 39.1069183, -107.0062332

There are several established campsites between the pass and the lake. This one is perched near the top of a cliff a few hundred feet left of the trail. © Kristy Holland

Beaver Dam

Location: 39.1081505, -107.0147324

Watch for beaver tending this trailside dam, an integral feature in the wetland marsh you’ve skirted on the north. © Kristy Holland

Snowmass Creek

Location: 39.1087761, -107.0153656

A log bridge crosses Snowmass Creek. A spur trail before the bridge leads to a pleasant campground that is more private than ones closer to the lake. © Kristy Holland

Trail Sign

Location: 39.1171417, -107.0263824

The area around Snowmass Lake is well-signed making navigation to campsite areas easy. There is no camping within 0.25-miles of the lake, and there are many established campsites outside that boundary.