I did it. The Four Pass Loop is one of the top hikes in Aspen and a quintessential Colorado backpacking trip, traversing high alpine passes, wildflower-filled valleys and dark blue lakes, more than 26 miles and more than 7,000 feet. Reviewed August 19, 2016 . Four Pass Loop Climbing over four 12,000+ foot mountain passes in 28 miles, Four Pass Loop has some of the most amazing scenery Colorado has to offer. Hiking the Four Pass Loop in Maroon Bells in June. The Four Pass Loop can be hiked in either the clockwise or counter clockwise directions. Colorado is the first state to partner with Leave … The sun came up with us as we submitted the first brutal pass. This broad experience has given her an integrated approach to her focus in UI/UX at PAIRIN where she is able to most effectively exercise her passion for problem-solving. Could my knees even handle all that descent? I questioned if I should continue on, but I pushed the pain out of my mind and kept going. We finally got after it this past weekend. We hiked 2 mi. Not to be confused with Hollywood, Aspen is actually a ski town with several fine mountains, namely Ajax and Aspen Highlands. I do think the four pass loop is more challenging (an extra mile & maybe 500-600' more climbing, more time spent at higher elevation), so I would add about 1-1.5 hrs to your P/B time for a comparison. Erin comes from a background in marketing and branding, creating consumer brands from the ground up and the digital and retail experiences that support them. I am planning a backpacking trip to CO starting on June 17th. For the less rational, it’s completed in one day. There wasn’t much left to do except run. This race will be a wildcard for me, but I’m excited to have a goal to work towards and it’s motivated me to be as ready as possible. The P/B loop also has … What would going up 7,327 feet feel like? I first heard about the Rito Alto Four Pass loop from an REI hiking app on my phone. The famous Four Pass Loop backpacking route within Maroon Bells – Snowmass Wilderness is an international treasure. Why did I pick something with four mountains?!? Many enjoyable side hikes, detours or alternate access points can be added to make the Loop … The Four Pass Loop is a 28 mile round trip with 8,000 feet of elevation gain and loss that stays around 10,000 to 12,000 feet in elevation covering four mountain passes in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. Somehow, our group arrived at this bucket list trail as an objective. Aspen’s Four Pass Loop is best enjoyed by those who have experience with challenging overnight trips or have the proper backpacking gear and are very physically fit. Punch it over your final 12,500' pass, and cruise the last seven miles down the West Maroon Creek drainage to … The Four Pass Loop is incredibly short, clocking in at a mere 28 miles (45 kilometers), but the distance is deceptive. On this loop you hike over four passes (hence the name) over 12,000 feet – West Maroon Pass (12,590 ft), Frigid Air Pass (12,415 ft), Trail Rider Pass (12,420 ft), and Buckskin Pass (12,500). I plan on running the Four Pass Loop this weekend and getting out on a few long rides. I was dripping in sweat and beaming with pride at completing the hardest physical thing I had ever done. In this report, we … 1 mile from trailhead. Halfway between the passes, go straight toward Maroon at a T, meeting West Maroon Trail. There was no option to turn back, I’d have to summit two mountains to turn around, or two to finish. You can hike the loop … Hope you enjoy what I consider to be the backpacking trip of a lifetime. How to get there: From Aspen The loop circumnavigates the iconic Maroon Bells peaks and crosses four … LOCALS KNOW Our ‘Three Pass Loop’ Posted by sarianderson on July 29, 2012. So on we went. Amazing Four-pass loop. We enjoyed stunning views, wildlife, and wildflowers, and the good fortune of perfect weather. Wildlife, Create Recommended Route or Here’s their advice for getting the 26-mile, four-day route’s sparkling creeks, peak-ringed lakes, and, yes, a quartet of 12,000-foot passes all to yourself. Tagged: Buckskin Pass, East Snowmass Creek, Four … But the challenges and rewards were very well balanced, and I would go back in a heartbeat. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, fishing, and backpacking and is … Source. With that said, the climb from Pawnee Lake to Pawnee Pass is more difficult than any of four pass passes. by Spirit 45 CluB. The Four Pass Loop is a 26.6-mile trail just outside of Aspen, Colorado in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. The Four Pass Loop is just shy of 27 miles and has numerous places where backpackers can connect. A Colorado backcountry classic, Four Pass Loop travels around the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness area over four mountain passes that exceed 12,000 feet. End at Schofield Park, 14 miles from town. Well, maybe not every one. The Four Pass Loop is described as “an all-time journey over four 12,500 foot alpine passes, circumnavigating the Maroon Bells.” Many people do the 27-mile long trail as a four-day backpacking trip to enjoy the panoramic views in the mountains and tackle the 7,327 feet of elevation gain at a sane pace of one mountain pass per day. 4 Days, 3 Nights. The 4 Pass Loop runs 26.8 miles through the heart of the Elk Mountains and Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. At that point, I was halfway done with the elevation gain. The Four Pass Loop is generally considered the best backpacking trip in Colorado, and has a strong argument for being one of the most stunning loops in North America. This popular 3-4 day backpacking loop around the stunningly beautiful Maroon Bells climbs four 12,000-ft. passes and traverses some of the most amazing scenery in the Maroon Bells / Snowmass Wilderness area. Posted by u/[deleted] 1 year ago. It is often traversed by backpackers over the course of 3 to 4 days... but ultra runners on the other hand, like to do it one (very long) day! Copyright © 2020 PAIRIN. The Loop has some of the most rugged and varied beautiful terrains that any trail has … What would breathing be like at 12,500 feet? We concluded our day with some ungodly proportions of pizza and began dreaming of our next adventure. Trail Map | Photo Gallery West Maroon Pass (12,465') As such it is one of the most popular summer trails. Close. At 27 miles … Conditions. Ready or not, it was time to begin the run. … Could I even do this? Archived. By the beginning of the third pass, the lack of food had me doubled over, clutching my cramping legs giving out underneath me. The Four Pass Loop is one of Colorado’s most well known hikes. It tests the soul, and feeds it at the same time. The 7 Principles of Leave No Trace are even more important in areas of high traffic, so if you aren’t familiar with them, please take some time to look them over. Thousands of people every summer make the journey to see … $100 and I had been exploring the Sangres outside of Westcliffe this summer, and this seemed like a great loop to do. Hiking trail near Aspen, Colorado. Depending on a parties’ ability, trail and weather conditions, this loop can take between 3 and 5 days to complete.