Snowmass Wilderness Backpacking

Shari Post made this wild suggestion a few months ago - do a 4 to 5 day hike around the Maroon Bells (probably the most photographed mountains in the state). At the time, there was snow on the ground, and we all said, "Sure" because it was months away. Well, August came, and so did our trip!

We hiked a full loop around these magnificent peaks in 4 days, covering about 35 miles, and over 10,000 feet of elevation. We went over 4 mountain passes, and witnessed some of the most spectacular scenery I've ever seen.

Sorry there are so many photos, but the views were just astonishing! This is the Colorado that the tourism board wants you to see, for sure!

We had a great time, as can easily be seen in these photos.

View as a slideshow

Brian and Brad calibrating GPS's before the trek North Maroon Peak, visible through trees at the parking lot The "Before" shot in front of Maroon Lake (Maroon Bells behind) We've all seen it...the classic Colorado Maroon Bells picture Brian and Lisa at Crater Lake Looking between Maroon and North Maroon Peak Clearing trees out of the campsite Camp on the first night
Day 2: A friendly deer visiting our camp site Making breakfast on day 2 Looking northward from camp Brad captured a great shot of our deer friend Looking south towards West Maroon Pass on Day 2 Lonny and Brad on the trail The lush West Maroon Creek basin Taking a break on our traverse to West Maroon Pass
Lonny and Lisa, West Maroon Pass on the far right Summit of West Maroon Pass visible from about 600 feet below Looking down to the west from West Maroon Pass Glancing down the eastern side of the pass,the trail is visible Lisa and Brian on the top of West Maroon Pass Lots of day hikers on this pass - most people we saw by far Heading down towards Frigid Air Pass Brian and Lisa stopped in a giant field of colorful wildflowers
Looking down west towards Schofield Pass (and Crested Butte) The final 600 foot push of Frigid Air Pass (STEEP!) Looking down the south side of Frigid Air Pass (Shari visible) Overlooking the Fravert Basin from the top of Frigid Air Pass Lonny snacking while marmots scurry about A marmot, pausing to check us out Maroon Peak and the Fravert Basin, from Frigid Air Pass One marmot decides he's interested in Brad's pack
REALLY interested! Sorry...I like marmots... Snowmass Mountain, visible from Frigid Air Pass The waterfall dropping 400 ft down Fravert Basin Shari and Brad getting water while an eerie cloud hangs Camp on day 2 Day 3: Hagerman and Snowmass Peak, from camp on Day 3 A Columbine
Some sort of moth on a flower An unnamed peak visible from camp Brad and Shari airing out their tent's rain fly Breaking camp on Day 3 Our view from camp in the morning The morning stream crossing (Shari and Lonny emerging) Lisa on her crossing Lonny decides he needs a rinse, and sits down in the creek
Lisa, Brad, Lonny, and Shari hiking up Trail Rider Pass Switchbacks up Trail Rider Pass Taking a break 1000 ft below Trail Rider Pass The last 800 ft push of Trail Rider Pass Trail Rider Pass (the low point on the ridge ahead) The west side of the Maroon Bells Brian and Lisa
Brian A nice arm-length photo The Fravert Basin in the far distance Ascending trail rider pass Brad relaxing atop Trail Rider Pass Shari making the final push up the pass Snowmass Lake, looking northeast down Trail Rider Pass The group atop Trail Rider Pass
Two ground squirrels chasing each other on the summit Brad's pack seems to be popular with the wildlife Other hikers taking a chilly dip in a small mountain pond A ground squirrel, taking in the view from Trail Rider Pass Brad decided a glissade was more in order, although it didn't work Another break along the trail Snowmass Mountain (on the right) towering over Snowmass Lake
Setting up camp at Snowmass Lake Brad, taking a dip in Snowmass Lake A dip in the brisk 60 degree Snowmass Lake to refresh ourselves The soothing 60 degree waters of Snowmass Lake A swim in Snowmass Lake Snowmass Peak above Snowmass Lake, Trail Rider pass on left Lonny and Brian hanging the food bag A nice shot of Trail Rider pass from the lake
Brian prepping the stove for dinner Camp on day 3 The Mosquito Coil method Sheltering ourselves from mosquitos at camp Shari, wearing the latest in mosquito-proof fashion Day 4: Sunrise on Snowmass Peak Lonny's cut toe (from the lake) What a view to wake up to!
Snowmass Lake by morning light Lonny, seeking shelter from the mosquitos Breakfast on day 4 Lisa, tending to Lonny's cut tow with her first aid skills Looking across Snowmass Lake, towards our campsite Hiking out of the Snowmass Creek basin Shari and Lisa crossing Snowmass Creek Lonny crossing Snowmass Creek
Brian crossing Snowmass Creek View to the west while ascending Buckskin Pass Experience Lonny's Hiking Experience! Lonny and Sharing, ascending Buckskin Pass (Snowmass in back) View to the west of Buckskin Pass Brad and Shari cresting Buckskin Pass Shari and Brad on top of Buckskin Pass Brian and Lisa cresting Buckskin Pass
Shari and Brad examining the route below Snowmass Mountain, Capitol Peak, and Snowmass Lake Brad, examining the other side of Buckskin Pass Snowmass Mountain, seen from Buckskin Pass Lisa with Pyramid Peak behind her Wildflowers backdropped by North Maroon Peak Lonny, Shari, and Brad descending through fields of flowers Brian, with North Maroon Peak behind
Lonny...doing something I'm not sure of Waterfall along last day Can you spot the baby marmots? There they are! Hiking through a recent avalanche path Water glistening off the side of North Maroon Peak Crater Lake, looking towards West Maroon Pass (Day 1)
Hitting the trail's loop point...we've gone full circle here Back at the car...the "after" shot

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