Capitol Lake, Avalanche Creek, Hell's Roaring Pass Loop

Start at the trailhead for Capitol lake. Take the Capitol Creek Trail (#1961) to Capitol Lake. There you'll find two campgrounds here with plenty of water and marmots! (Advance reservation overnight permits required and must be purchased at recreation.gov). Approved bear food storage containers are also required and strictly enforced. Anything left unattended will be licked or chewed to death by those salt addicted fancy ground hogs! You could opt for the the summit of Capitol Peak from here. Continue over the pass with spectacular views of the Snowmass Wilderness. Travel downhill, passing many spectacular waterfalls and a roaring artisan well where you can fill your bottles without the need to filter! Set up camp Dooley Park where there is fresh spring water and huge flat campsites. Dooley Park sits on an open meadow with lots of deer and elk.For the last leg, continue downhill, crossing a huge mudslide where you can see all kinds of animal tracks. (Watch out for quick sand). Cross Hell's Roaring Creek. The bridge is completely gone, but we put some logs down and it is crossable. You can wade across if you like. Then start the 4,000-foot elevation gain beside Hell's Roaring Creek to the pass. At the pass, you can see your vehicle parked at the trailhead several miles away. There is a good view of Wilson Lake where John Denver was inspired to write "Rocky Mountain High." The hike down is on a ridge top almost the whole way. There are no water sources on the ridge top.Pass the outfitters tents and make your way down the 4x4 road back to your vehicle and call it a day!There are many camp spots at the trailhead and on the 4x4 road.

One of the best elk hunting spots in Colorado. Outfitters do guided hunts here.