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By adding this to the main view of the lake gives a beautiful walk through Aspen groves (we were there in stunning Fall) and gives you a more expansive view.
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Date of experience: October 2019
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+1
You can cutoff about 1.2 miles if you get dropped off early in the morning in a left pullout around a large bend in the road before Maroon Lake (see the map). You then ford the river (ankle deep in August/September) and walk up a spectacular wide valley behind Pyramid Peak. Truly beautiful with a gradual assent to the 11,800 foot pass. Total vertical, about 2,800 but it doesn't feel like it. The last 500 vertical feet are switchbacks above treelike, but not challenging. See photos. The Crested Butte side of the pass is mostly skree down to Copper Lake, then the pack horse trains have destroyed Copper Trail for much of the next three miles, so poles are valuable to navigate around the many, many grapefruit sized rocks. There is a wonderful beaver bond, with several dams and a huge hutch as you get down to flatter ground (see photos). Overall it is a spectacular and long (14 mile) hike. Takes 8-9 hrs.…
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Date of experience: September 2016
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Just back from this trail, it is fabulous but definitely some caveats....Firstly it is long, my GPS said 17 miles from Trailhead to Trailhead, it took us 9 hours with very few stops so you need to start early; in July that means ideally 6am. Secondly there are water crossings, we had 6 that we need to take our boots off, don water sandals and cross. The water was running strongly and I needed poles to keep my balance and I am nearly 6ft tall and a regular hiker. You need shoes of some sort to cross, the rocks are both slippy and sharp. Next the trail map does not account for the diversions, on the map it looks as if the majority of the Aspen side is all on the south side of the river, but we had to cross the creek twice due to scree falls, we were following the trail made by the horses and there were a couple of 'you have to be kidding me' moments where it is easier for horses than people... The views are very different from West Maroon trail, it seems more mountainous, there are much less wild flower meadows and the majority of the time you are walking thru forest or on rock slopes. On the upside the gradient is a lot easier than West Maroon, it is a lot less used, we saw a total of 7 people all day, and only 2 others were doing the while pass from Crested Butte to Aspen. The trailhead on the Aspen side is halfway up the Maroon Bells Rd so you will need to arrange a lift or hitch back to your car. The last bus going up is 4.30 from Aspen Highlands. Recommended only for experienced hikers, and definitely not for kids.…
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Date of experience: July 2016
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E. Maroon was great until mile 7 of 16. We crossed some streams easily, but then we heard the roar from the next crossing. We had water shoes and made it across but with numb feet. But the next water crossing was a monster. We turned back. Later I was told by a Ranger that there were two helicopter rescues there last season. West Maroon over and back will be our plan next year.…
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Date of experience: July 2016
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Be sure to bring your camera as this is a very beautiful trail and worth taking if you love the beautiy of nature at its best. A must do.
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Date of experience: May 2016
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