There are two main hiking routes linking Crested Butte and Aspen: West Maroon Trail via Schofield Park and East Maroon Trail over East Maroon Pass to Gothic. From the Aspen side, both of these trails are accessed from the Maroon Creek Road. The West Maroon Trail begins at Maroon Lake (elevation 9,600'). The East Maroon Trail begins at the East Maroon Wilderness Portal, approximately 7 miles from the City of Aspen. From the Crested Butte side, the East Maroon Trail begins approximately 2 miles beyond the town of Gothic (7 miles from the town of Crested Butte). The West Maroon Trail begins in Schofield Park, 14 miles from the town of Crested Butte. Whether hikers start or end in Crested Butte, it is recommended that transportation to and from the trailheads on the Crested Butte side is arranged in advance.
The Best Time to Hike
From mid-July through early September, these two trails are heavily used. Any earlier in the season, and the snow fields are almost impassable for hikers. Snow can occur at any time in the high mountains, but after September 15, chilly temperatures and heavy snow can literally dampen the adventure. Most hikers, enticed by the adventure of hiking and the thrill of being high in the mountains, are equally as anxious to experience the masses of wildflowers, feverishly completing their short life cycle. Blooming en masse in July and August, meadows of gentian, monkshood, subalpine larkspur, rosy paintbrush, and aspen sunflower create a cacaphony of color under the intense mountain sun. Parry's primrose, marsh marigold and mountain bluebells line the myriad of high mountain streams.
West Maroon Trail Details
At 9 miles in length, West Maroon Trail is by far the most popular of the two hikes. Shorter and steeper, it gains approximately 2,920' in elevation from Maroon Lake to the top of West Maroon Pass. On the Aspen side, the trail winds through a glacial valley surrounded by high peaks. On this side, it is long and rocky, with several river and glacial rock field crossings. Stream crossings vary, and even in August, the water can be high and cold. In most cases, good balance and a walking stick will keep the feet high and dry. On the Crested Butte side, the trail descends rapidly through snowfields (even in August) into a narrow valley of grassy meadows, interspersed with forests of aspen and spruce. Views from the top of the pass are immense, spanning the Maroon Bells/Snowmass Wilderness Area. Campsites for backpackers can be found in the woods, between the two river crossings, on the Aspen side. From the Aspen side, hikers should depart Maroon Lake no later than 9 am to avoid thunderstorm activity on West Maroon Pass. At a brisk pace, hikers can summit the pass by noon and, with a lunch stop included, plan to reach the end of the trail between 2:30 and 3 p.m. Hikers who enjoy a more leisurely hiking experience may expect to reach the end of the trail by 4 p.m. On the return, hikers should leave Crested Butte at 8 a.m., be on the trail by 9 a.m., with an expected arrival at Maroon Lake between 2:30 and 4 p.m.
East Maroon Trail Details
This trail was built as a toll road in 1887 to ship ore up the valley of east Maroon Creek and over the pass to the smelter in Gothic. At 14 miles in length, it is less steep but significantly longer than the West Maroon trail. Beginning at an elevation of 8,709', the trail follows yet another glacial valley interspersed with open meadows of wildflowers and pockets of aspen and spruce. Pyramid Peak is visible for a good part of the trail on the Aspen side. The elevation of East Maroon Pass is 11,800', and it is 5.5 miles from the top of the pass to the end of the trail on the Crested Butte side. Camping opportunities are located in the vicinity of Copper Lake which is located near the top of the pass. Several stream crossings exist on this trail as well and again, good balance and a walking stick will aid in keeping the feet dry. The trail gains elevation gradually, and the surface, with the exception of a mile or two near the top of the pass, is hard packed and free of loose rock.
Activities and Lodging Opportunities
The joy of these hikes is often in the anticipation of the end of the trail. Crested Butte is comprised of the original historic mining town and the newer ski resort community of Mount Crested Butte. Small inns and larger resort accomodations exist in both places and a free bus service connects the two. In addition, restaurants and bars line the main street of historic Crested Butte, making this an ideal place to relax after the long hike. For more information on activities in Crested Butte can be found through the Chamber of Commerce.
Similarly, Aspen is an historic mining town offering a myriad of lodging and dining opportunities. Free bus service runs throughout the city. The Aspen Chamber Resort Association is a good place to find more information on activities in Aspen.
Gear and Food
A hike of this caliber requires some advance planning and a substantial backpack. Food and water are primary essentials for the trek. At a minimum, two large water bottles are recommended. Snacks, including granola or energy bars, trail mix, and fruit (oranges and apples) help maintain stamina. Simple sandwiches, or a combination of bread and cheese can round out the lunch dilemma. Layers of clothing are essential for this hike. Windpants, shorts, fleece, a raincoat, sunglasses, and a hat are staples. Hiking boots can make or break the experience; make sure that boots are broken in and waterproofed. Walking sticks are helpful as well. For the evening, a change of clothes is highly recommended, including an extra pair of light shoes. And finally, don't forget the camera!
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