How Hard Is The Hike From Crested Butte To Aspen?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Discover this 10.3-mile point-to-point trail near Crested Butte, Colorado.

Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 4 h 59 min to complete

. This is a popular trail for backpacking, camping, and hiking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day.

What is the pass between Aspen and Crested Butte?


East Maroon Pass

. There are three routes hikers can take between Aspen to Crested Butte, but the two most common are West Maroon and East Maroon Pass, which are both equally scenic. While West Maroon is the more common popular of the two, it is a bit steeper compared to the East Maroon route.

Can you hike from Aspen to Crested Butte?

Aspen to Crested Butte –

10.45 Miles Round-Trip

. The West Maroon Creek Trail joins the West Maroon Pass Trail on a 10.45 mile thru-hike from Aspen to Crested Butte . This feature-filled route is highlighted by Maroon Lake, Crater Lake, West Maroon Pass and one of the finest wildflower displays in Colorado.

What is the hardest hike in Colorado?

The towering

sentinel of Longs Peak

is the undisputed king of the northern Front Range, visible from downtown Denver to Fort Collins. The trail to the top of this 14,255-foot mountain is staggeringly difficult and accounts for more failed summit attempts than most other 14ers, according to the National Park Service.

Is Crested Butte or Telluride better?


Telluride had the gold and silver wealth of the San Juan Mountains while Crested Butte survived as a coal mining town and was far less rich necessitating cheaper building materials

. This gives our town a quaint and homey feel that’s hard to replicate anywhere else in Colorado.

Can you mountain bike from Crested Butte to Aspen?


The Grand Traverse Mountain Bike

is no ordinary mountain bike race. It is a point-to-point from Aspen to Crested Butte, Colorado. In total, bikers travel 40 miles across the Elk Mountains with over 7,800′ of elevation gain.

Can you see Maroon Bells from Crested Butte?

Why Hike West Maroon Pass from Crested Butte

One of the great hikes in Crested Butte leads up the East Fork of Crystal River valley, renowned for its amazing display of wildflowers, to

West Maroon Pass, a high saddle boasting stunning views of the Maroon Bells

and Pyramid Peak massifs to the northeast.

Can you hike to Maroon Bells?

Maroon Bells Hike


Dogs are welcome on the trails (and are allowed on the RFTA bus from the Aspen Highlands to the to the Marroon Bells), but they must be kept on a leash

. This easy 1-mile round-trip trek starts at the parking area and follows the circumference of the lake; keep an eye out for the active beaver pond.

Can you drive from Aspen to Crested Butte?


If you wish to drive there on a paved road, it is a minimum of 200 miles and 4 hours

. The summer trip can be cut in half by way of Kebler Pass, a maintained dirt road. Pearl, Taylor, and Schofield Passes offer shorter distances but require a 4-Wheel Drive.

Where does Crested Butte to Aspen hike end?

Many prefer to hike the West Maroon Pass from Aspen, starting at Maroon Lake and ending near

Schofield Pass, north of Gothic

. We hiked the West Maroon Pass in reverse from Crested Butte to Aspen. We absolutely loved this route and we will share details and explain below just how we did it.

How crowded does Crested Butte get?

Crested Butte enjoys

very few crowds

and short lift lines, which leads us to believe there’s a misconception that Crested Butte is a destination that’s hard to get to. In fact, the resort is 35 minutes from Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport (GUC) and about 1.5 hours from Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ).

Is there a bus from Aspen to Crested Butte?

Use a Shuttle Service:

There are two shuttle services (Dolly’s and Alpine) that will pick you up from the trailhead and bring you to your hotel in Crested Butte

. Call and schedule a reservation in advance and they should be waiting for you at the trailhead. Pick-up’s typically cost about $20 per person.

What is the prettiest hike in Colorado?

What is the prettiest hike in Colorado? The prettiest hike in Colorado is

Emerald Lake Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park

. It’s a classic Colorado trail that accommodates all skill levels. On this hike, visitors enjoy views of alpine lakes, wildflowers, and breathtaking mountain peaks.

What part of Colorado has the best hiking?

  • Fountain Valley Trail at Roxborough State Park. …
  • First and Second Flatirons Hike in Boulder. …
  • Devil’s Head Fire Lookout Hike. …
  • Timberline Falls Hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. …
  • Four Lakes and Waterfall Loop Hike in Rocky Mountain National Park. …
  • Monarch Lake Loop Hike.

Which Colorado 14er is the easiest to climb?


Pikes Peak

is arguably the easiest 14er in Colorado, but if you are looking for a little more help on your first mountaineering trip, be sure to check out our Pikes Peak guided hiking tour.

Is Crested Butte pretty?

1.

The Sheer Beauty

. There are a lot of pretty places, but our mountains know how to beautifully deliver white, green, red, gold, orange, and all sorts of colors of the rainbow during winter, spring, summer and fall.

Is Crested Butte worth visiting?


Crested Butte is an extremely pedestrian-friendly town with historical buildings, mountain views, and plenty of places to stop in and visit

. It’s easy to shop locally when nearly all the businesses are not chains and unique to the area.

Is Crested Butte a ski town?

Everyone who goes to Crested Butte loves Crested Butte. Devotees possess a strong “if you know, you know” attitude about the place that suggests it’s Colorado’s best-kept secret—and with good reason.

The mountain is a skier’s mountain

, known for its relatively uncrowded runs and steep, rugged, challenging terrain.

Is Pearl Pass open 2020?


It’s completely open now

.

How long is Pearl Pass?

It’s called Pearl Pass Road. It’s an old mining road running from Crested Butte to Aspen. It’s

61km (37.90 miles)

long.

Is Gothic Road open?

Reservations: No Reservations. First-Come, First-Serve Camping. Open Season: June 19 – Sept. 29 Usage: Medium Closest Towns: Crested Butte, CO Water: No

How high is Maroon Pass?

Highlights: Wildflowers, Mountain Vistas Approx. Time: 4.5 hours Elevation Gain: 2,312 feet Max Elevation: 12,490 feet
Trailhead Elevation:


10,432 feet

Is there a shuttle from Montrose to Crested Butte?


The best way to get from Montrose to Crested Butte without a car is to shuttle which takes 2h 3m and costs $145 – $155

.

Is Maroon Bells worth?


Yes, Maroon Bells is absolutely worth a visit

.

Can you hike Hanging Lake?


The trail to Hanging Lake is a steep and rocky 1.2 mile scenic trail climbs 1,000 feet up from the bottom of Glenwood Canyon up through Deadhorse Creek Canyon to Hanging Lake

. Hikers should wear sturdy shoes with good tread. Be aware that there is no mobile phone coverage.

Is Maroon Peak a 14er?

The Maroon Bells: Maroon Peak and North Maroon Peak –

both featured on Colorado 14ers Map 10 of 16

– are perhaps the most iconic 14ers in Colorado. Despite their beauty and ease of viewing from the popular Maroon Lake, these Elk Mountain peaks are some of the most challenging 14ers to summit.

Kim Nguyen
Author
Kim Nguyen
Kim Nguyen is a fitness expert and personal trainer with over 15 years of experience in the industry. She is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and has trained a variety of clients, from professional athletes to everyday fitness enthusiasts. Kim is passionate about helping people achieve their fitness goals and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.