Maroon Bells Four Pass Loop

<p>The Maroon Bells Four Pass Loop is a demanding 26.3-mile backpacking circuit through the heart of the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, crossing four high alpine passes over 12,000 feet: Buckskin, Trail Rider, Frigid Air, and West Maroon. The route is typically traveled counter-clockwise starting from the Maroon Snowmass Trailhead, though it can be completed in either direction.<p> <p>From the trailhead, the route proceeds south on the Maroon Snowmass Trail, climbing gradually for 1.5 miles to a signed junction. Turning right onto the Buckskin Pass Trail, the path climbs through the forest and ascends above treeline beneath the north face of North Maroon Peak. At the fork for Willow Pass, keep left to ascend the final headwall to Buckskin Pass. From the summit, the trail descends to the right into the forested Snowmass Creek drainage for approximately 2.5 miles.<p> <p>After crossing Snowmass Creek via a log crossing, the trail climbs toward Snowmass Lake. At the junction with the Geneva Lake Trail, turn left to reach the southeast shore of the lake. From Snowmass Lake, the route climbs steeply southwest to Trail Rider Pass, positioned beneath the eastern flanks of Snowmass Mountain. The trail then descends into the North Fork of the Crystal River valley.<p> <p>Approximately two miles below Trail Rider Pass, the route turns left onto the unsigned North Fork Cutoff Trail, shortly after descending alongside a steep creek. The trail traverses southeast for just over a mile before merging with the North Fork Crystal River Trail. After a wide, unavoidable ford of the river, the trail climbs steeply past a cascading waterfall into Fravert Basin. The trail continues for 2.75 miles through alpine terrain beneath the southwest face of Maroon Peak to reach the summit of Frigid Air Pass.<p> <p>From Frigid Air Pass, the route descends to a bench and traverses east toward West Maroon Pass. At the junction, a left turn leads to the final climb up West Maroon Pass. From the pass, the trail descends through expansive willow groves to the south shore of Crater Lake. Follow the main path along the west side of the lake, keep right at the Buckskin Pass junction, and return to the Maroon Snowmass Trailhead.<p>