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HikesUnited StatesFour Pass Loop

Four Pass Loop

Also known as: Maroon Bells loop

The Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness - the classic Colorado high-alpine loop under the Bells

Difficulty 5/5 · Very hardMultidayLoopMulti-day trek
Distance
~45 km
Max elevation
~3,840 m
Elevation gain
~2,700 m
Duration
3-4 days
iconicloopfour passesaltitudewildflowers
Plan this hike
Explore the rugged beauty of the Tetons in Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park during autumn.

The route

The line through Elk Mountains, Colorado, United States - waypoints, elevation and the day-by-day shape of the walk.

Elevation profile~3,840 m (Buckskin/Trail Rider/West Maroon/Frigid Air passes)
0 km40 km

Waypoints

  1. 1
    Maroon LakeTrailhead
    ~2,900 m0 km

    Reservation shuttle

  2. 1
    Maroon LakeTrailhead
    ~2,900 m0 km

    Reservation shuttle

  3. 2
    Crater LakeJunction
    ~3,100 m2.5 km~1 h

    Loop split

  4. 2
    Crater LakeJunction
    ~3,100 m2.5 km~1 h

    Loop split

  5. 3
    West Maroon PassPass
    ~3,800 m10 km~4 h

    First pass

  6. 3
    West Maroon PassPass
    ~3,800 m10 km~4 h

    First pass

  7. 4
    Frigid Air PassPass
    ~3,840 m16 km~5 h

    Second pass

  8. 4
    Frigid Air PassPass
    ~3,840 m16 km~5 h

    Second pass

  9. 5
    Trail Rider PassPass
    ~3,830 m24 km~5 h

    Third pass; Snowmass Lake

  10. 5
    Trail Rider PassPass
    ~3,830 m24 km~5 h

    Third pass; Snowmass Lake

  11. 6
    Buckskin Pass / Maroon LakePass
    ~3,760 m40 km~6 h

    Fourth pass, back to start

  12. 6
    Buckskin Pass / Maroon LakePass
    ~3,760 m40 km~6 h

    Fourth pass, back to start

Season & conditions

Best season

Late Jul-Sep

Weather risks

Daily afternoon thunderstorms at altitude, cold nights

Best late Jul-Sep once the passes clear; ice axe sometimes needed early. Confirm.

On the trail

Terrain & surface

Wildflower basins, four alpine passes, forested valleys, the Maroon Bells

Technical & exposure

Non-technical alpine trail; snowfields on the passes early season

Navigation & waymarking

Marked/waymarked route; navigation generally straightforward - carry a map and confirm locally

Accessibility & group fit

Suitable for reasonably fit hikers; not wheelchair accessible - confirm specifics

Crowds & solitude

A popular, well-known route - busier in peak season

Variants & turnaround

Do it clockwise or anticlockwise; single-day trail-run for the very fit

Getting there & staying

Trailhead access

Maroon Lake trailhead above Aspen

Shuttle & transport

Maroon Lake reservation shuttle from Aspen Highlands in season

Huts, camping & refuges

Backcountry camping only; bear-proof storage required

Gear, water & connectivity

Layered outdoor kit, sturdy footwear, sun/rain protection, ample water; patchy mobile coverage - carry a map/PLB where remote

Facilities

Services in Aspen; limited or none on the trail

Guide & crew

Not required; self-guided

Permits & safety

No overnight permit for the loop itself but the Maroon Lake corridor requires a parking/shuttle reservation in season; camping regulations and bear canister apply. Confirm.

Permits and operators change - confirm before booking.

Hazards

Altitude, lightning, snow on passes, bears; a strenuous loop

Emergency exits & rescue

Retrace the route to exit; dial local emergency services; carry a means of calling for help where remote

This profile is desk research, compiled from public sources - not a first-hand trail report. Coordinates are approximate.

Also in United States

Dive sitesin United States
Walk Four Pass Loop with your group
Manta plans the route, the huts and the easy alternatives so a mixed crew all get a great day.
Plan this hike