hiking from aspen to crested butte

distance: 10.75 miles (one way) | elevation: 3,265’ (9,572’ starting) | difficulty: strenuous

Spoiler alert: this is one of my most favorite hikes I’ve ever done!

One of those Colorado bucket list hikes? Hiking from Aspen to Crested Butte. The hike between the two may only be 11 miles, but driving between the two? Over 100 miles! If you time it properly, you’ll also be treated to the fields of wildflowers in Crested Butte. (The town may not get the recognition that the California superbloom got, but I have to say, I think it’s even prettier!). But wildflowers aren’t the only things that makes this hike so great. From start to finish, this hike is gorgeous. 

how to get to aspen

Google is your friend (see below) on directions to Aspen. If you’re lucky and there is no traffic on I70 (haaa, Colorado friends, is there ever NOT traffic on I70?!), Aspen is only about a three and a half-hour drive from Denver. 

To get to the trail head, from the center of town, you’ll see signs guiding you to the Maroon-Snowmass Trailhead via Maroon Creek Road. Keep in mind, the trail head is about a 30 minute drive from the town of Aspen. 

And more important: this road is restricted to private vehicles from 8am to 5pm every day during peak season aka summer and early fall. There is a bus service, buttttt if you are hiking all the way to Crested Butte, you should be starting this before 8am in case of afternoon storms. I arrived just before 6am on a Saturday and I’d say the upper parking filled up within 15 minutes. Soooo ya gonna need to get there early to get a spot!

the hike from aspen to crested butte

From the upper day parking area (as you’re getting all your things together… maybe also eating breakfast like myself), you’ll be able to see those stunning peaks, the Maroon Bells, over the trees. Maroon and North Maroon, two 14ers, are better known as the Maroon Bells and one of the most photographed spots in the United States! (Thb, not quite sure how that is determined slash if that is true, but that’s what THEY say). Once you wander over to the trail, with the reflection of the Maroon Bells in Maroon Lake, it really is easy to see why these majestic peaks are so photographed. Try not to take TOO long here since this is within the first few feet of the hike!

From these stunning peaks, you’ll soon pass through gorgeous aspens (I mention this further down on learning facts on this trip, but did ya know that a group of aspens is actually a single organism?! I’m sorry, but this blew my mind). Most of the hike on the Aspen side is pretty rocky as opposed to a dirt trail.You’ll come to a split in the trail – stay left towards Crater Lake and West Maroon Trail (#1970). Once you come to Crater Lake, this is where you’ll first see some avalanche debris. The trail will continue past some campsites and some of the most gorgeous views… and some more avalanche debris through the valley uphill. You’ll also have to cross the creek, so be prepared for either snow bridges or swift moving water!

Soon you’ll be above treeline in a meadow, below the West Maroon Pass. The final mile to the pass is a steep one – almost 1,000’ in a mile. Steep switchbacks bring you down the pass till you come to the Frigid Air Pass split- stay to the left. Then, just miles of easy walking through meadows, and if you are there in late July/early August… ALL DA WILDFLOWERS. Once you see a broken down cabin of sorts, you’re almost back at the trail head.

Okay guys, I have some bad news. If you live in Colorado, it is no surprise to you that Colorado had a lot and some insane avalanches that affected a lot of areas this past winter. One of those areas affected? This hike, wompwomp. After you hike almost 11 miles from Aspen to Crested Butte… you also have to add on an additional two miles UPHILL in order to make it to the new parking area. I’ll be honest with y’all… we were 100% cursing out loud at the road! We didn’t realize it was uphill so I feel like knowing this info should make it lil more bearable since you’ll be mentally prepared.

From Aspen to Crested Butte, this hike took us about seven hours. This included stopping about three times for refueling slash taking in the views and then a longgg time taking pictures of all the wildflowers. Take a look at the hike stats and use your best judgement on timing if you plan to book a shuttle.

This may be kinda obvious, but this hike can be done Crested Butte to Aspen instead. This is actually the “easier” way since Crested Butte sits higher than Aspen (10,432’). Which means… only 2,357’ of elevation gain. Idk why I just said “only” but it is about 1,000’ less!

after the hike:

So you actually have a couple options. After you catch a shuttle down to the town of Crested Butte, you could:

• Head straight back to Aspen.
• Grab some beer/food in Crested Butte and then head back to Aspen.
• Spend the night in Crested Butte and plan your shuttle for the next day back to Aspen.
• Camp along the trail and do the reverse hike the next day.
• Turn around in Crested Butte and hike the 11 miles straight back to Aspen (you crazy).

Just keep this in mind when booking your shuttle! Also, keep in mind it’s a three hour drive between the two towns.

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before ya go to aspen

• The Maroon-Snowmass Wilderness is located within the White River National Forest. If you have an Annual National Parks pass, you can use that and parking is free (remember to place on your dash with the signature side up!) or there is a $10 fee. 
• Dogs are allowed, but must be kept on leash.
• Just a lil FYI, this is bear country!
• Research before you go! Y’all the weather is crazy. You’ll want to look into the expected forecast in general, if/how much snow is on the ground, avalanche debris, water crossings, etc
  • You could get snow bridges orrrr freezing cold creek crossings so be ready for either. I’m not normally one to hike with hiking poles, but I brought one with me attached to my backpack and have to say, it came in handy to both climb up one snow bridge and for one high/fast creek crossing!

what to schedule before you go

Soooo unless you TRULY enjoy driving and want to drive two cars (aka both driving to Crested Butte then grabbing the driver and driving to Aspen). Orrr you have friends that live in Aspen or Crested Butte and they want to spend their day driving. Ya gonna need to book a shuttle. 

There are a couple of different options, but I went with Dolly’s. To be honest, I planned to nap on the three hour plus drive back to Aspen due to the super early wake up, but my driver, Craig, was hilarious. No joke, I was crying at some points I was laughing so hard. On top of that, he is a history teacher so we learned a lot about Colorado and Crested Butte on the ride. Costs? $25/person to travel the rough 40 minute from the trail head in Crested Butte into town and then $75/person from Crested Butte to Aspen (or vice versa). Once you get to the shuttle at the trail head they have cold beverages for you… and let me tell ya, I don’t know if a PBR has ever tasted SO GOOD. 

Also, know that when you book your shuttle, you are booking a time! This means you need to be there at your designated time! There is a good chance the shuttles after you are full and there is no room for extra bodies! So maybeeee be a lil conservative with how long you think it will take you to hike. And remember, when hiking from Aspen to Crested Butte… the added two miles along the road due to avalanche debris are UPHILL.

If you are REALLY a planner, you can reserve campsites in the Maroon-Snowmass area. Though most likely, this will need to be done monthssss in advance. You also may have better luck on this if you plan on doing this hike midweek. 

when to go

This really depends on what you’re looking for. Wildflowers? Late July to early August. Those gorgeous yellow Aspens in the fall? Late September. Don’t forget: snow up here lasts a long time and begins early. No one was really attempting this trail until the last weekend in July this year due to snow… and even in August, there is still snow on the trail. 

what to bring

I just made the perfect packing list for all your car camping and general hiking needs! Let me know if you think I am missing any essentials!

But in general, this is a longgg day hike with decent elevation gain PLUS at altitude, so do not skimp on food (eat allllllll da calories) and extra water.

where to stay in aspen

So if you have to start so early, it’s probably smart to stay in Aspen the night before. There is always the options of AirBnB or hotels – but you’ll need to plan in advance since this is a small mountain town. If opting for dispersed camping and coming from the east, Lincoln Creek Road is a good option since it is only about half an hour to the trail head (which is where I stayed). If coming from the west, I’ve heard Prince Creek Road in Carbondale is good!

where to stay in crested butte

If you’re opting to spend the night in Crested Butte, I’m going to guess you’re not carrying all your camping gear. Unless you chose to do the hike from Crested Butte to Aspen instead. In that case, AirBnB and hotels are still an option, but as far as camping, Washington Gulch Road is a great option. 

free camping resources:

• https://freecampsites.net/
• https://www.campendium.com/free-camping
• http://www.ultimatecampgrounds.com/index.php/products/full-map
• iOverlander App

directions:

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