Maroon Bells trip suggestion

It’s a lovely wilderness, and we are very familiar with it, but it’s hard for me to recommend backpacking in Maroon Bells at this point. It is just totally overrun with people, like being in California. For people coming from out of state, it’s basically the only place they know to go. Four-pass Loop, Four-pass Loop, Four-pass Loop … argh. That time of year especially, the leaf peepers are out in force, as well as bow-hunters. There are some other wilderness areas in the vicinity that, while still popular, have not been loved to death.

Also, coming from Alaska, you may not really appreciate the petite size of typical wilderness areas in the lower 48. In 7 days, you could probably cover virtually every mile of trail in Maroon-Bells/Snowmass, and you never really get far enough from one trailhead or another to get solitude. If you really really want to go there, you could consider a shorter loop combined with setting up a base camp and climbing a couple of peaks, but keep in mind that some of the peaks in that wilderness are pretty difficult/technical/dangerous, so do your research.

We were out last weekend in that general area and it was a little past peak, but still pretty. This view is looking SW from the Lily Lake overlook across a valley to the West Elks. You can see The Castles if you look hard.

Dan, I appreciate the honest info. Thanks! I’m open to other suggestions in that greater area for that time frame. Not interested in peak bagging, just backpacking. Thanks for any info.

Mueller State Park near Colorado Springs. Not as busy as some of the other leaf peeping spots.

The Maroon Bells loop (Four Pass Loop aka the Fantastic 4 or 5 pass) is the classic route for hikers that’s well-marked – climbers are on the rock faces you’d be admiring.  Been through twice and light is right. Very well marked though you don’t want snow up there.  It’s up and over a pass, down the next though w/some decent straightaways. It’s the most photographed part of the Colorado wilderness last I read.  The backcountry may not be filled up this late, but I’d watch the weather.  Getting a late monsoon rumbling through the states below due to Hurricane Priscilla (western Mexico) and then there’s the northern cold fronts.  I’ve had to keep driving through Durango CO to backpack Utah’s desert Canyonlands NP due to the effects of storms on the Colorado high country.   There’s latitude (how far north) but also altitude.

Also a bear can is usually needed.  The last time I went through there was no requirement but the bears had become a problem and I met other hikers whose gear was shredded.  Probably not a problem anymore but figure on adding a bear can.

Bear can/bag is now required in Maroon Bells, unique for Colorado wilderness areas, IIRC. Permit also required, also very uncommon in Colorado.

I’m open to other suggestions in that greater area for that time frame.

I’m going to avoid posting specific suggestions with place names that are easily searchable, especially now that AI models are constantly scraping these sites for user-generated content, so it doesn’t even bring more traffic to BPL.

However, if you look at my post above, and spend some time with a map, I think that you will be able to find some good options. And as always, I am happy to chat via private message.