Backpack – BPX 4-Day: Four Pass Loop from West Maroon Trailhead

Meeting Place: We'll discuss more as we approach our departure date. To comply with the parking permit instructions, we need to be at the Maroon Lake TH parking area by around 7:30am in one vehicle.

Driving Directions:  Take I-70 W to CO-82 E in Glenwood Springs. Take exit 116 from I-70 W. Continue on CO-82 E to Maroon Creek Road. Scenic Route: I-70 W to CO -195 S to Leadville. Take 24-S towards Buena Vista. Take 82-W to Aspen. Drive through the town of Aspen. At the roundabout, take Maroon Creek Rd to Maroon Lake parking.

We'll will hike up and over four mountain passes - West Maroon, Frigid Air, Trail Rider and Buckskin.  You will be surrounded by 13,000 and 14,000 foot peaks. Expect some snow around the passes. Expect to see wildflowers coming out. The trip encompasses lakes, streams, forests, and high passes in one of Colorado's wilderness area gems. There are camping areas along the route. Water is available. Permits for overnight camping and for `(1) vehicle parking at Maroon Lake Trailhead have been purchased.

What's our Theme? CHILL.  We will be and remain relaxed, reflective, mindful, responsive to the beauty of the physical world. Our pace will drift between slow to the low end of moderate. at 1.0 to 2.0 miles/hr.

Paid Fees For Permits

Equally divided, (4) - including BPX TL:

Overnight Camping Permit Fees: $126.00; 

Parking Permit: $10.00

$34/each - Fees paid after you are confirmed signed up.  The fees are non-refundable if you cancel and a replacement is not secured. Don't cancel.

Mileage expenses: ($0.62.5/mile * Total Miles)/4

General Itinerary: 

Day 1:  Arrive at the Maroon Lake Trailhead by 07:30, hike over West Maroon Pass, hike some more and camp in the East Fork Zone.

Day 2:  Hike over Frigid Air Pass, hike some more and camp in the North Fork Zone.

Day 3:  Hike over Trail Rider Pass, hike some more and camp in the Snowmass Lake Zone.

Day 4:  Hike over Buckskin Pass, enjoy Crater Lake and hike out to Maroon Lake Trailhead.

Requirements:

Overnight Camping Permits - Secured 

Maroon Lake Trailhead Parking Permit - Secured

Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Area 5 Camping Zones - overnight permits required for each stay in a zone.  This trip configuration has overnight camping in the East Fork, North Fork, and Snowmass Lake Zones.  This trip configuration has a maximum of (4) persons including the BPX Trip Leader.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1083862.pdf

Approved Bear Canisters List

https://grizzlybear.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/210723_Certified_Products_List.pdf

Route Map:

 https://trails.colorado.gov/routes/38017?t=inm0zhGg1t3FfHqX2eH8 

The Backpacking Section wants you to treat your sign-up as a commitment to your and your team that you will stay the course and not drop, except in real emergencies dealing with health and welfare.  Let the BPX TL know early on if you can't keep your commitment to give them a chance to replace you.