Four Pass Loop - Maroon Snowmass Wilderness Backpacking - Colorado- MUST KNOW

Four Pass Loop - Colorado

Location: Maroon - Snowmass Wilderness Area, Central Colorado

Nearest Town - Aspen

What is it? - It's a difficult loop trail near Aspen, Colorado and one of the most iconic backpacking destination in Colorado especially during Wildflower season. The whole trail passes thru " Four Passes" above 12,000 ft. thru alpine lakes and the popular Maroon Bells. 

Four Pass Loop Distance - 28 Mile Loop

ROUTES: 

Clockwise: West Maroon Pass - Frigid Air Pass- Trail Rider Pass - Buckskin Pass  (recommended if you want a gradual ascent with your heavy backpack and if you are doing more than 2 day trip)

Counterclockwise: Buckskin Pass - Trail Rider Pass - Frigid Air Pass - West Maroon Pass

Best Time to Go: Wildflower Season & Fall Leaf Season ( July - Early September)

Estimated Completion Time - 3-5 Days ( Most common 3 nights 4 days)

Elevation - 9,580 ft - 12,500 ft Elevation Gain - 7,750 ft

FOUR PASSES: West Maroon Pass, Frigid Air Pass, Trail Rider Pass, Buckskin Pass

Trailhead-West Maroon Pass(12,490 ft) 

Distance: 6.5 miles (one-way) to West Maroon Pass 

Elevation gain/loss: 2,920-ft.

West Maroon Pass (12,500-ft.) to Frigid Air (12,405-ft.)

Distance: 2.4 miles (one way)

Elevation gain/loss: +687-ft./-787-ft.

Frigid Air (12,405-ft.) to Trail Rider Pass (12,415-ft.)

Distance: 7.1 miles (one way)

Elevation gain/loss: +2,150-ft. / -2,130-ft.

Trail Rider Pass (12,415-ft.) to Snowmass Lake (10,980-ft.)

Distance: 2.2 miles (one way)

Elevation gain/loss: -1,440-ft.

Snowmass Lake (10,980-ft.) to Buckskin Pass (12,460-ft.)

Distance: 3.8 miles (one-way)

Elevation gain/loss: +1,692-ft./-210-ft.

Buckskin Pass to Trailhead

Distance: 4.6 miles (one-way) to Trailhead (9,580-ft.)

Elevation gain/loss: -2,882-ft.

COMMON TRAILHEADS:

Maroon Lake Trailhead - Most popular- requires a parking permit check it here 

Crested Butte Trailhead - Does not require permit but adds a couple miles to the trip. (East Fork trailhead near Schofield Park)

LAKES TO STOP AND SEE IF YOU CAN: 

Maroon Lake, Crater Lake, Geneva Lake(adds 2 miles to the trip), Snowmass Lake

Colorado 14ers in the area: Maroon Peaks, Snowmass Mountain, Pyramid Peak

Trip Report: Originally planned on 3 Nights and Four Days but finished in 2 Nights- 3 Days due to mosquitoes and black flies.