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Photo: John Fowler / CC BY 2.0 · source

Mountains

Maroon Bells

Aspen, CO · Rocky Mountains$Shuttle $16 adult, $10 ages 12 and under or 65 and up; parking $10 per vehicle; e-bikes $5

About

Maroon Peak (14,163 feet) and North Maroon Peak (14,019) stand over Maroon Lake, about 12 miles southwest of Aspen. Their color comes from Maroon Formation mudstone, a weak rock that breaks easily, and a Forest Service sign warns that the loose rock "kills without warning." In shuttle season, late May to mid-October, private cars can't drive up Maroon Creek Road between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Book the shuttle from Aspen Highlands, about 15 minutes each way. With a parking reservation, arrive before 8 or after 5. The easy Maroon Lake Scenic Trail goes 1.3 miles around the far side of the lake, which sits at 9,580 feet behind a landslide off Sievers Mountain.

Highlights

Maroon Lake reflection viewpointMaroon Lake Scenic Trail loopCrater Lake hikeFall aspen color in late SeptemberWildflowers and wildlife along Maroon CreekFour Pass Loop backpacking access

Getting there

Maroon Bells Welcome Station, Maroon Creek Road (County Road 13), Aspen, CO 81611

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