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How's your Aspen?
A list of fun things to do in Aspen even if you…
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Aspen Vacation
Places to go, eat, and stay in Aspen, CO. Based…
Maroon Bells Peaks
Rating Details »
5 reviews for Maroon Bells Peaks
Gorgeous. Incredibly breath taking.
We arrived at the trail head, right past the gates, at around 6:30am.The sun was just breaking over the mountains across the valley and the reddish light hit the top of the bells illuminating their reddish soil and reflecting their statuesq build onto the lake at the base.
As we started hiking up to Crater Lake the sun rose and shone in rays through the aspen trees. It was early enough that it was incredibly quite and the only other humans we saw were backpackers coming down from the otherside.
This hike is a must and best done early. If you are lucky like we were you will also be greeted by much wildlife. We slaw squirrels (common), wild bunnies no larger than a slender ladies fist, a porcupine was blocking the trail for a while and our picnic breakfast was crushed by what we thought were a dozen field mice (but turned out to be pika). Incredibly cute little rodents that squeak much like a dog's chew toy.
We paid 10 bucks to get through to this park and I kept hoping it was worth it.
Oh my god.
I felt it reminded me of Oregon with the waterfalls, and of Glacier Nat'l Park with the lakes. However, this was distinctly Colorado, but one I have never seen before. The pictures do not make up for what you see here. No pictures of nature can make up for the experience anyone can have while actually being there.
We went on July 5th-so this past week has had a lot of random storms and rain. We (unfortunately) only made it up part of the way past Maroon lake. I, being pregnant, and also getting hit with a hail storm on the way up (w/a toddler on the back) made us head back down.
But my experience there was unforgettable. The lake, looked like the water was resting on a gigantic piece of blue green tourmaline. The color was unlike anything I had ever seen before. Totally pristine and crystal clear. The waterfalls were equally spectacular.
The wildflowers smelled so sweet and it just made me feel like I was in heaven.
If you come to the area, you absolutely must visit this place.
It makes Estes Park look like nothing.
alright, i did this 30 mile loop hike with 3 friends in 2006. it was, i think, the most beautiful and fun trip i have ever taken. there is four peaks all at 14,000 along the way (2 bells, pyramid peak, and hagerman peak). you come over these passes, and there is huge valleys, like frevert basin, where the wild flowers blanket the ground.
it's quite a site.
if you take the hike counter clockwise, which is highly recommended, the last night is spent at snowmass lake. THE GREATEST PLACE I HAVE EVER BEEN, IF THERE WAS LESS PEOPLE THERE. i guess it wasn't that bad, but this guy that was camping near us was packing a piece in full view, which made a few in our party restless.
i actually caught a nice trout there after hours of trying. the pole i was using was a joke too. later that afternoon, the gentleman that let me use his rooster-tail stopped by and gave us 3 trout he had caught. WHAT A NICE GUY!!!!!
then later, a guy gave us a plastic flask of, i think cognac. WHAT A NICE GUY!!!!
i would suggest, at night, staying up and sitting by snowmass lake, enjoying some hot tea and marijuana, and just sit back and watch the moons light create/destroy shadows on the lake and surrounding peaks. it's a religious experience.
if you want to do a 3or4 night pretty easy 30 mile loop hike, i can't recommend anything better.
a little tip: instead of staying in expensive aspen before the shove-off, stay in glenwood springs, it's still close, and WAY CHEAPER FOR A ROOM! and, doc holliday died there. you can visit his grave at the top of this big hill. bring water cause you'll need it.
best vacation ever.
So, this isn't a business, but a natural attraction that you have to pay the parks service to check out. It is some gorgeous scenery that shouldn't be missed if your visiting Aspen. If your a bad ass, ride your bike up. If your a lard ass (self included) take the shuttle. If you have an infant car seat, you can drive your fossil fuel mobile up the road to the trail head. Woot for babies!
Swiped from the http://StayAspenSnowma... site... " The Maroon Bells, surrounded by pristine National Forest lands, are the most photographed peaks in all of North America. Here you can explore the glacial valley while surrounded by 14,000 - foot peaks. Maroon Lake, surrounded by fields of wildflowers, mirrors images of the Maroon Bells in it's waters. "
More info at: http://www.stayaspensn...
One of the best hikes ever. Gorgeous views. If you're in Aspen you've gotta do this one.