This journey information takes you round 4 of Colorado’s most iconic peaks, the Maroon Bells, that are the center 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 traditional 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 gives a ton of payoff on your work. It’s nicely definitely worth the effort to go to no less than as soon as.
Fast Details
- Distance: 26.5 miles from Maroon Lake Trailhead
- Days Wanted: 1-4 days
- Peak Elevation: Buckskin Cross- 12,494 ft
- Low Elevation: Maroon Lake Trailhead- 9,600 ft
- Elevation Acquire/Loss (Approximate): 8,600 ft
- Greatest Time to Hike: July-September
- Permits: Sure
- Issue: Troublesome
Highlights
- Unimaginable alpine views whereas climbing over Buckskin, Path Rider, Frigid Air, and West Maroon passes.
- Loop hike makes logistics simple for in a single day journeys.
- A number of bang for the buck- nice views with well-graded trails.
- Entry Snowmass, the Maroon Bells, and Pyramid Peak 14ers (for skilled climbers)
- Many aspect 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
Because of the excessive altitude nature of this loop, the perfect 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 generally is a great time to backpack within the mountains. It’s when many wildflowers start to bloom, water sources are plentiful, and the air temperature seems like summer season. 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 move all the way down to treeline by midday, although it’s at all times finest to observe the skies. Monsoon thunderstorms are much less widespread in August, and the flowers are normally peaking by this time.
By September, the alpine is ablaze with the traditional golden yellow, and the tundra turns orange and crimson. Whereas nonetheless sizzling within the afternoon, temperatures start to chill off, notably at evening. The danger of snow will increase all through the month, and water sources start to amass a movie of ice at evening. 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 light-weight dusting to ft at a time, and it’s not really helpful to plan journeys after October 1st until you’ve obtained a transparent climate window and are ready for the sudden.
Issue of Path
The 4 Cross Loop is well-maintained and marked, making it an ideal selection for hikers of any degree on the lookout for a good looking journey. That stated, the altitude, particularly, could be difficult for these not but acclimated.
TERRAIN
Nearly all of the paths are packed filth 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 automobile after finishing the Loop.
The larger subject with the path tread tends to be erosion resulting from excessive site 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 observe the official path and keep away from strolling on the grasses. They take a very long time to develop and might endure immensely from foot site 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 price of elevation achieve is about 330 ft per mile, which is pretty simple going. After all, some sections, notably near the passes, could be a lot steeper.
Buckskin Cross, particularly, generally is a brutal climb, with 800 ft of achieve per mile on the east aspect. The complete route is taken into account a category one walk-up: there isn’t a scrambling or want to make use of arms to achieve the passes. The path is walkable always.
ELEVATION
By far essentially the most daunting and difficult facet of this hike is the excessive altitude. All 4 passes high out at over 12,400 ft above sea degree.
After all, when you achieve all that vert to the cross, you drop fairly a bit to get to the following method. For these coming from sea degree, the probabilities of altitude illness bogging you down is fairly excessive. Taking a number 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 sluggish 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 may also make a giant 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 Have to Know part on the Maroon Bells-Snomass Wilderness for particulars on hearth restrictions, pets, tenting, waste administration, and group sizes.
Permits are snatched up rapidly. Both attempt to reserve a allow as quickly as they grow to be obtainable should you don’t have flexibility or look ahead to cancellations throughout June, July, August, and September.
PERMITS
These seeking to e book 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 might make reservations for June and July journeys.
August and September permits can be found beginning June 15 for that 12 months. Every individual is just allowed to e book two permits per 12 months for as much as seven days every. A number of completely different tenting zones overlap with the 4 Cross Loop.
You should definitely examine which zone you’re planning to camp in every evening earlier than reserving your reservation. Charges are presently listed as $10 per individual per evening plus a $6 non-refundable reservation payment.
BATHROOM PLAN
Ah, sure. Pooping within the wilderness could be mighty satisfying expertise. Nonetheless, you’re removed from the one individual pooping in these woods. For that motive, we advocate utilizing a wag bag and packing out your waste.
BEAR-PROOF YOUR SMELLY STUFF
This loop is in black-bear nation, and as you might know, a fed bear is a useless bear. Meals, trash, and scented gadgets ought to be saved in an IGBC-approved container. Right here’s the PDF of authorized merchandise. We want 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 embrace 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 price for as much as three days.
If parking is full, a bus runs from the Maroon Bells Welcome Heart at Aspen Highlands Ski Space. The price to journey the bus is $16 per individual for adults. It ought to be famous that each one costs are as of 2025 and are topic to alter.
TRAILHEADS
The 4 Cross Loop is situated between Aspen and Crested Butte, Colorado. Most hikers decide to start out on the Maroon Lake Trailhead, which is situated about 12 miles south of Aspen up Maroon Creek Highway. Parking or shuttle reservations are wanted to entry this trailhead from Could via October, even if you’re simply planning to day hike.
Some hikers select to start out from the West Maroon Trailhead which is situated about 14 miles north of Crested Butte over Schofield Cross. Excessive clearance is really helpful 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 automobile, however the scenic drive is nicely definitely worth the effort. For many who resolve 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 cellphone GPS app reminiscent of GAIA GPS to trace mileage, lookup 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 take in the surroundings. We prefer to hike the loop counterclockwise and sort out Buckskin Cross first. For the match hiker, this implies the entire passes might be summited early within the morning to keep away from encountering afternoon thunderstorms. Those that aren’t as used to the altitude or as match might want to method West Maroon Cross first, because the climb is rather 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 observe the principle path to Crater Lake. A aspect path will department off to ascend Buckskin Cross. Make certain to make use of a GPS, there are lots of social trails and some path junctions alongside the way in which. This route takes you across the north aspect of the Maroon Bells as much as Buckskin Cross. There are numerous wildflowers across the cross in the summertime. The views from the highest of the cross are stupendous, with Pyramid Peak seen to the east and Snowmass Mountain to the west.
Descend the west aspect of the cross 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. Take pleasure in lounging round camp or taking a dip within the lake after your arduous work is accomplished for the day.
Each day Mileage- 8.3 miles
Each day Elevation Acquire- 3228 ft
Day 2: Snowmass Lake to Fravert Basin by way of Path Rider Cross
Ranging from Snowmass Lake, the path rapidly begins climbing once more in direction of Path Rider Cross. After climbing a number of steep sections across the aspect of some scree fields, the path ranges out and gives 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 number 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 direction of Fravert Basin. There are numerous campsites all alongside the valley, however we want tenting near treeline to raised arrange the ultimate day.
Each day Mileage- 7.4 miles
Each day Elevation Acquire- 2,437 ft
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 number 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 ft, so the views are gorgeous. Typically sheep ranchers graze their sheep right here in the summertime. Maintain an eye fixed 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 crimson rocks encompassing this cross are a bit extra sheer than the opposite passes on the hike. There may additionally be extra foot site visitors from day hikers and people climbing the Aspen to Crested Butte path.
After a fast drop off of the cross, 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 finally 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 ft
Gear Checklist
Make certain to take a look at our Final Backpacking Guidelines so that you don’t neglect one thing essential.
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 workforce of out of doors consultants.
BACKPACK
Conclusion
We totally loved ourselves on the gorgeous 4 Cross Loop. Certain, it may get hectic with crowds and navigating permits, however we nonetheless assume it’s definitely worth the work. You should definitely assessment all the newest requirements for the right way to depart no hint whereas visiting the good outdoor.
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