This journey information takes you round 4 of Colorado’s most iconic peaks, the Maroon Bells, that are the guts and soul of the 4 Cross Loop.
Over the course of 26 miles, the loop climbs over 4 12,000-foot passes whereas it circles two of essentially the most basic 14ers. All through the journey, views abound with alternatives to identify Snowmass Mountain and Pyramid Peak in addition to the numerous different 13,000 and 12,000-foot peaks within the space. With comparatively well-graded trails, loads of tenting, and a well-established route, this loop presents a ton of payoff to your work. It’s effectively definitely worth the effort to go to at the very least as soon as.
Fast Details
- Distance: 26.5 miles from Maroon Lake Trailhead
- Days Wanted: 1-4 days
- Peak Elevation: Buckskin Cross- 12,494 toes
- Low Elevation: Maroon Lake Trailhead- 9,600 toes
- Elevation Acquire/Loss (Approximate): 8,600 toes
- Greatest Time to Hike: July-September
- Permits: Sure
- Problem: Troublesome
Highlights
- Unimaginable alpine views whereas climbing over Buckskin, Path Rider, Frigid Air, and West Maroon passes.
- Loop hike makes logistics straightforward for in a single day journeys.
- Numerous bang for the buck- nice views with well-graded trails.
- Entry Snowmass, the Maroon Bells, and Pyramid Peak 14ers (for skilled climbers)
- Many facet journeys and add-on choices
Lowlights
- Extremely busy on the West Maroon Path
- Excessive altitude could also be tough for these coming from sea degree
- Monsoon thunderstorms can pose a hazard in July and August
- IGBC-approved bear-resistant containers are required
- Permits are required for parking and in a single day journeys
Greatest Time to Hike
As a result of excessive altitude nature of this loop, one of the best time to hike is July, August, and September. Extra skilled hikers might be able to get away with late June journeys, notably in low snow years. Nonetheless, snow within the Colorado Rockies tends to stay round till the start of July, notably on the north faces of passes the place cornices have shaped over the winter. Given the central location of this hike and its proximity to a number of 14,000-foot peaks, snow will doubtless stick round a bit longer right here in comparison with different areas of Colorado.
July could be a great time to backpack within the mountains. It’s when many wildflowers start to bloom, water sources are plentiful, and the air temperature looks like summer time. Hikers ought to beware that remoted monsoon thunderstorms roll via most afternoons in July. It’s a good suggestion to plan your days and campsites to keep away from being on the passes within the afternoons. The rule of thumb is to go all the way down to treeline by midday, although it’s at all times greatest to watch the skies. Monsoon thunderstorms are much less frequent in August, and the flowers are normally peaking by this time.
By September, the alpine is ablaze with the basic golden yellow, and the tundra turns orange and pink. Whereas nonetheless scorching within the afternoon, temperatures start to chill off, notably at night time. The danger of snow will increase all through the month, and water sources start to accumulate a movie of ice at night time. This additionally interprets to fewer bugs and exquisite, golden aspens close to the Maroon Lake trailhead.
By October, plan for snow. It is not uncommon to get something from a lightweight dusting to toes at a time, and it’s not beneficial to plan journeys after October 1st except you’ve received a transparent climate window and are ready for the sudden.
Problem of Path
The 4 Cross Loop is well-maintained and marked, making it an incredible alternative for hikers of any degree on the lookout for a fantastic journey. That mentioned, the altitude, particularly, may be difficult for these not but acclimated.
TERRAIN
The vast majority of the paths are packed grime with some sturdy rocks all through. The West Maroon path between the Maroon Lake Trailhead and Maroon Lake can really feel particularly tiring to hike on the return journey to the automotive after finishing the Loop.
The larger difficulty with the path tread tends to be erosion on account of excessive visitors. Many steep sections, notably under the passes, have braiding or ruts from water runoff. As a lot of the path traverses alpine tundra, it’s best to attempt to comply with the official path and keep away from strolling on the grasses. They take a very long time to develop and may endure immensely from foot visitors.
GRADIENT
Like a lot of the western US, the paths making up the 4 Cross Loop are constructed with switchbacks to make the climb extra gradual. The general charge of elevation acquire is about 330 toes per mile, which is pretty straightforward going. After all, some sections, notably near the passes, may be a lot steeper.
Buckskin Cross, particularly, could be a brutal climb, with 800 toes of acquire per mile on the east facet. Your entire route is taken into account a category one walk-up: there isn’t a scrambling or want to make use of palms to achieve the passes. The path is walkable always.
ELEVATION
By far essentially the most daunting and difficult side of this hike is the excessive altitude. All 4 passes high out at over 12,400 toes above sea degree.
After all, when you acquire all that vert to the move, you drop fairly a bit to get to the following strategy. For these coming from sea degree, the possibilities of altitude illness bogging you down is fairly excessive. Taking a couple of days to acclimate in Denver or Aspen earlier than climbing is a good suggestion.
Even locals who haven’t accomplished a number of high-altitude hikes ought to plan to take it gradual and look ahead to indicators of altitude illness. Ingesting plenty of water and taking issues slowly can go a good distance in stopping signs. Selecting campsites on the low factors between the passes can even make an enormous distinction.
PERMITS & Restrictions
This space is not any secret and to guard this gorgeous panorama, permits and use restrictions are in place. Learn rec.gov’s Must Know part on the Maroon Bells-Snomass Wilderness for particulars on fireplace restrictions, pets, tenting, waste administration, and group sizes.
Permits are snatched up shortly. Both attempt to reserve a allow as quickly as they turn out to be out there when you don’t have flexibility or look ahead to cancellations throughout June, July, August, and September.
PERMITS
These seeking to ebook a allow can discover the entire info and make their reservation at Recreation.gov, however right here’s the abbreviated model:
On February 15, hikers could make reservations for June and July journeys.
August and September permits can be found beginning June 15 for that yr. Every particular person is barely allowed to ebook two permits per yr for as much as seven days every. A number of totally different tenting zones overlap with the 4 Cross Loop.
Make sure you examine which zone you might be planning to camp in every night time earlier than reserving your reservation. Charges are presently listed as $10 per particular person per night time plus a $6 non-refundable reservation charge.
BATHROOM PLAN
Ah, sure. Pooping within the wilderness may be mighty satisfying expertise. Nonetheless, you might be removed from the one particular person pooping in these woods. For that motive, we suggest utilizing a wag bag and packing out your waste.
BEAR-PROOF YOUR SMELLY STUFF
This loop is in black-bear nation, and as you could know, a fed bear is a lifeless bear. Meals, trash, and scented objects ought to be saved in an IGBC-approved container. Right here’s the PDF of authorized merchandise. We favor to make use of an Ursack bear sack as a result of it’s light-weight, works nice, and isn’t cumbersome.
Getting There
PARKING
It ought to be famous that backpacking permits don’t embody parking, which is proscribed and managed by visitmaroonbells.com in cooperation with the White River Nationwide Forest. Parking passes are $10 per automobile as a flat charge for as much as three days.
If parking is full, a bus runs from the Maroon Bells Welcome Middle at Aspen Highlands Ski Space. The fee to experience the bus is $16 per particular person for adults. It ought to be famous that every one costs are as of 2025 and are topic to vary.
TRAILHEADS
The 4 Cross Loop is positioned between Aspen and Crested Butte, Colorado. Most hikers decide to begin on the Maroon Lake Trailhead, which is positioned about 12 miles south of Aspen up Maroon Creek Street. Parking or shuttle reservations are wanted to entry this trailhead from Might via October, even in case you are simply planning to day hike.
Some hikers select to begin from the West Maroon Trailhead which is positioned about 14 miles north of Crested Butte over Schofield Cross. Excessive clearance is beneficial to achieve this trailhead and it may nonetheless be fairly busy in the summertime.
Each Crested Butte and Aspen are a number of hours from Denver by automotive, however the scenic drive is effectively definitely worth the effort. For many who determine to finish their hike early or hike the Aspen to Crested Butte route, it takes a number of hours to drive from Aspen to Crested Butte and vice versa.
Planning Your Itinerary
There are numerous web sites, Fb teams, and on-line boards devoted to planning a visit on the 4 Cross Loop. The White River Nationwide Forest and Recreation.gov web sites present extra details about required gear and permits. When planning a hike, we use a telephone GPS app resembling GAIA GPS to trace mileage, search for water sources, and discover campsites.
Although some avid path runners and hikers full the loop in a single day, many decide to separate the journey into 2-4 days to completely absorb the surroundings. We prefer to hike the loop counterclockwise and deal with Buckskin Cross first. For the match hiker, this implies the entire passes shall be summited early within the morning to keep away from encountering afternoon thunderstorms. Those that usually are not as used to the altitude or as match could favor to strategy West Maroon Cross first, because the climb is way more gradual.
MAPS & RESOURCES
Day 1: Maroon Lake Trailhead to Snowmass Lake by way of Buckskin Cross
On day one, begin off from the Maroon Lake Trailhead and comply with the principle path to Crater Lake. A facet path will department off to ascend Buckskin Cross. Be certain to make use of a GPS, there are lots of social trails and some path junctions alongside the best way. This route takes you across the north facet of the Maroon Bells as much as Buckskin Cross. There are numerous wildflowers across the move in the summertime. The views from the highest of the move are stupendous, with Pyramid Peak seen to the east and Snowmass Mountain to the west.
Descend the west facet of the move down a sequence of switchbacks to Snowmass Creek. There are numerous campsites on this valley, however essentially the most scenic websites are a bit additional across the shores of Snowmass Lake. Get pleasure from lounging round camp or taking a dip within the lake after your exhausting work is accomplished for the day.
Each day Mileage- 8.3 miles
Each day Elevation Acquire- 3228 toes
Day 2: Snowmass Lake to Fravert Basin by way of Path Rider Cross
Ranging from Snowmass Lake, the path shortly begins climbing once more in the direction of Path Rider Cross. After climbing a couple of steep sections across the facet of some scree fields, the path ranges out and presents fanatic views down the valley. A fast climb up some switchbacks tops out on a ridge saddle under Snowmass Peak.
After taking a break to soak within the views, the hike downhill oscillates between steep and mellow sections. Cross a couple of small ponds and a turnoff for Geneva Lake earlier than making the ultimate descent to the North Fork Crystal River.
The afternoon is spent climbing up the valley in the direction of Fravert Basin. There are numerous campsites all alongside the valley, however we favor tenting near treeline to raised arrange the ultimate day.
Each day Mileage- 7.4 miles
Each day Elevation Acquire- 2,437 toes
Day 3: Fravert Basin to Maroon Lake Trailhead by way of Frigid Air and West Maroon Passes
The ultimate day of the journey ascends the ultimate two passes of the 4 Cross Loop. Tenting excessive up in Fravert Basin on day 2 signifies that the climb as much as Frigid Air Cross is comparatively brief. The path wanders via some willows and wildflowers earlier than reaching the highest in the midst of a couple of switchbacks.
After marveling on the views of the Raggeds off within the distance, the path loses some elevation on its option to West Maroon Cross. This part doesn’t descend under 11,700 toes, so the views are gorgeous. Generally sheep ranchers graze their sheep right here in the summertime. Preserve a watch out for guardian canine and provides the flock house!
The climb as much as West Maroon can really feel tiring at this level within the hike: it’s a bit steep, however it’s the final huge uphill push. The pink rocks encompassing this move are a bit extra sheer than the opposite passes on the hike. There might also be extra foot visitors from day hikers and people climbing the Aspen to Crested Butte path.
After a fast drop off of the move, the remainder of the path slowly loses elevation. It winds down the West Maroon Creek valley previous the Maroon Bells and Pyramid Peak earlier than ultimately rejoining the unique path at Crater Lake. Proceed on to the Maroon Lake Trailhead, then head again to Aspen for a well-deserved meal on the town!
Each day Mileage- 10.8 miles
Each day Elevation Acquire- 2,087 toes
Gear Record
Be certain to take a look at our Final Backpacking Guidelines so that you don’t neglect one thing vital.
Under you’ll discover our present favourite backpacking gear. If you wish to see extra choices, our curated gear guides are the results of a few years of in depth analysis and hands-on testing by our group of outside specialists.
BACKPACK
Conclusion
We completely loved ourselves on the gorgeous 4 Cross Loop. Certain, it may get hectic with crowds and navigating permits, however we nonetheless suppose it’s definitely worth the work. Make sure you overview all the newest requirements for how one can depart no hint whereas visiting the good outdoor.
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