Crested Butte, CO – This is the classic Colorado hike — or at least part of it — that passes by one of the most photographed spots in the country, the Maroon Bells. The 11 mile one way trail connects the towns of Crested Butte and Aspen via a steep, winding trail that crests at 12,500 ft at West Maroon Pass. Given a round trip hike would entail 22 miles and over 5000 feet of elevation gain, an entire industry of shuttle vans has cropped up to ferry hikers back to their original point of departure. I had previously hiked this trail in 2007 via a shuttle. Karla wanted to experience the fantastic views as well, but due to COVID-19 we decided against sitting in a van for 3 hours with 6 other people and just hiked from Crested Butte to the pass and back, about 8 miles roundtrip and 2300 ft elevation gain.
The West Maroon Pass Trail is well signed
Hiking this trail requires a bumpy, 13 mile drive from the town of Crested Butte up and over Schofield Pass to the East Fork Trailhead, where there is ample parking. Our hiking trail book, “Best Hiking in Central Colorado around Aspen, Marble, Leadville, Buena Vista, and Crested Butte” by Diane Greer indicates a high clearance 4×4 is required to reach the trailhead, which may be true during certain years of road neglect, but as of September 2020 any crossover (CRV, Crosstrek, etc) would have no problems. Start your hike at the well marked sign. The first 0.75 miles get right down to business, ascending steeply through a pine and spruce forest, providing glimpses of the East Fork of the Crystal River. About 0.3 miles, pass an old mining cabin and cross from the White River National Forest into the Maroon Bells Wilderness. Now begin climbing the Crystal River Valley in earnest, enjoying wide open views only 0.5 miles into the hike. Apparently the wildflowers here in late July/early August are a sight to behold, but by mid September their glory has faded (don’t worry, there are spectacular views of daunting mountain peaks in every direction).
The trail climbs into the Crystal River Valley.
Looking back toward the trailhead
The trail slowly climbs up the valley
There is a welcome break from steep climbing over the next mile, as you slowly ascend the valley. During this easy section pass a handmade sign indicating Maroon Pass is to the right. The unsigned left junction goes up to Hasley Pass, which is apparently just as spectacular as Maroon Pass but with fewer people. The trail gets steeper at 1.75 miles as the valley heads towards the right. Climb through numerous stands of thick willow bushes laced with a number of easy to cross streams.
Looking toward the head of the valley from West Maroon Pass Trail
The trail passes through willow sections before the final climb
West Maroon Pass Trail begins the final climb to the pass
Trail junctions were well marked
From the trail
Another view of the trail
First view of the pass located between the two tall pillars on the left half of this picture
Looking back over the trail and the western side of the pass
Another view on the western side of the pass
Around 3.0 miles into the hike you can easily see your goal by looking up valley: sharp rock pinnacles that mark Maroon Pass. The get progressively steeper as you progress, eventually leaving the verdant meadow for rocky scree fields. Ascend switchbacks the final 0.25 mile to the pass, where on a bluebird day in September I enjoyed the views with a dozen people.
Nearing the pass
The final climb to West Maroon Pass
Trail heading down the eastern side of the pass
View from West Maroon Pass looking east
Another view from the east side of the pass look toward the Maroon Bells
Pyramid Peak massif
Returning down the western side of the pass
Descending the willow section
Descending Crystal Valley
View heading back to the trailhead
This trail is located on Sky Terrain Trail Map: Aspen, Crested Butte, Maroon Bells. We hiked here while staying at the Crested Butte RV Resort. We also hiked two hikes in the Curecanti National Recreation Area: Dillon Pinnacles Trail and Crystal Creek Trail.
