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Dan S
·Last trip of 2023, sadly. When we are in Crested Butte, we are close to several wilderness areas and sometimes day-hike in Maroon Bells, which is probably the most well-known wilderness area in Colorado. My wife has been urging me to do a backpacking trip there, but I've always avoided it because of the hassle and the crowds. This time she was very insistent and offered to handle all of the logistics, so I agreed to an overnight to see some Autumn color.
After all of my years of backpacking, this trip involved two "firsts." Our first "first" was buying a bear-bag, because they are required in Maroon Bells. Our second "first" was buying a permit. I thought it was going to be free or a nominal cost, but I couldn't believe it when she told me how much they charged for one night, I think it's a bit offensive TBH. I guess you need a computer and disposable income if you want to camp in a "popular" wilderness area. We spent some time exploring less-traveled basins, so we mostly avoided the big leaf-peeping crowds. Thank goodness for local knowledge
After a short climb from the trailhead, we came out above timberline into a pretty valley and climbed up to a ridge where you can see some of the namesake peaks and a pass that is part of the popular loop hike in this wilderness. You can see one of the Bells peeking over the ridgeline in the second photo with Opus.
From there, we could look down into the next basin, where we would spend most of the afternoon. The large mountain in the center is Snowmass.
We made our way down into the basin and across to a pretty area with some small ponds. It would have been a nice place to camp in less windy conditions. Max spent the whole day hunting and eating giant grasshoppers.
Going back to the trail, we went down a couple of thousand feet to a heavily traveled trail by a river, where we were very lucky to find a campsite with some shelter and privacy. It's amazing to me how most people will choose to pitch their tent right by the side of the trail; we always try to get away from other people.
The next morning we first followed the trail down through aspens, then crossed the river and climbed steeply to reach a social trail that traverses the side of a different basin. We enjoyed some views of the river valley and famous peaks, with a bit of color on our way back to the trailhead, and avoided the crowds until rejoining the main trail. While some of the neighboring wilderness areas are probably better for true leaf-peeping, this is a pretty place, and if you venture off the most traveled trails, you can enjoy an illusion of solitude.
After all of my years of backpacking, this trip involved two "firsts." Our first "first" was buying a bear-bag, because they are required in Maroon Bells. Our second "first" was buying a permit. I thought it was going to be free or a nominal cost, but I couldn't believe it when she told me how much they charged for one night, I think it's a bit offensive TBH. I guess you need a computer and disposable income if you want to camp in a "popular" wilderness area. We spent some time exploring less-traveled basins, so we mostly avoided the big leaf-peeping crowds. Thank goodness for local knowledge
After a short climb from the trailhead, we came out above timberline into a pretty valley and climbed up to a ridge where you can see some of the namesake peaks and a pass that is part of the popular loop hike in this wilderness. You can see one of the Bells peeking over the ridgeline in the second photo with Opus.
From there, we could look down into the next basin, where we would spend most of the afternoon. The large mountain in the center is Snowmass.
We made our way down into the basin and across to a pretty area with some small ponds. It would have been a nice place to camp in less windy conditions. Max spent the whole day hunting and eating giant grasshoppers.
Going back to the trail, we went down a couple of thousand feet to a heavily traveled trail by a river, where we were very lucky to find a campsite with some shelter and privacy. It's amazing to me how most people will choose to pitch their tent right by the side of the trail; we always try to get away from other people.
The next morning we first followed the trail down through aspens, then crossed the river and climbed steeply to reach a social trail that traverses the side of a different basin. We enjoyed some views of the river valley and famous peaks, with a bit of color on our way back to the trailhead, and avoided the crowds until rejoining the main trail. While some of the neighboring wilderness areas are probably better for true leaf-peeping, this is a pretty place, and if you venture off the most traveled trails, you can enjoy an illusion of solitude.
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