Just wrapped up a 28-mile backpacking trip in the Maroon Bells near Aspen. The USDA route is here. We hiked it clockwise.
View from Day 1 campsite: looking north along West Maroon Creek valley
Day 1: my tent, great views in every direction
Day 1 campsite: view from tent and Scout
Day 2: early morning start, clearing West Maroon Pass (pass #1) by 9:00 AM
Day 3: after a rainy morning pack-up, we hit the trail early to tackle Trail Rider Pass (pass #3), which we’d heard would be tough. Started with 1.5 miles through this little valley, part of Fravert Basin
Day 3: We tackled Trail Rider Pass (pass #3) and were surrounded by fog
Day 3: Trail Rider Pass (pass #3), fog clears minutes into our descent to reveal beautiful Snowmass Lake
Day 3: Snowmass Lake was breathtaking
Day 4: Woke up to more rain and the sight of snow on Buckskin Pass (pass #4), which we’d planned to clear that morning
Day 4: View west from Buckskin Pass (pass #4). In the valley you can see pea green spot in the middle which was where we camped the night before, and our trail snaking up to the pass.
Day 4: view east from Buckskin Pass (pass #4). Headed home.
Day 4: Scout is a seasoned pro by this point. Four passes down
