While finally getting to see Independence Pass was lovely, the real reason for our weekend trip was because I had secured us an entrance permit for the Maroon Bells. These two iconic 14ers are the centerpiece of the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Area near Aspen, Colorado.
This was our third trip to the Bells; the first was two summers ago to witness a Maroon Bells sunrise and hike to Crater Lake. The second was when we backpacked the Four Pass Loop last September.
This time, it was to see these beautiful mountains accentuated by the bright yellow hues of a Colorado autumn.
The town of Aspen is aptly named, making this part of the state an especially beautiful place to visit in when the aspen leaves are turning. We were a little early; quite a few leaves were still green. But I didn’t care. The bright yellow sections were lovely and added vibrant color to an already unbelievably beautiful location.
This is the fourth post I’ve written about the Maroon Bells and three of these four are part of my “Colorado bucket list” series. And sure, this bucket list is based on my personal opinions. But I think many people would agree that the Maroon Bells are a must-see.
As you drive along the entrance road, the Bells are concealed by the surrounding scenery. But all of a sudden, you round a bend and there they are. It was a view that knocked my socks off the first time I saw it, and it took my breath away all over again this time around. The mountains had received a fresh dusting of snow the night before and the lingering storm clouds were just beginning to lift. In short, our autumn Maroon Bells sunrise experience was everything I’d hoped it would be!
From here, I’ll just let my photos do the talking. Fair warning: there are a lot of them.
You can read my other posts about the Maroon Bells area here.
Other items on my Colorado bucket list can be found here.
The Important Stuff:
- Getting there: Maroon Lake is at the end of Maroon Creek Road outside of Aspen, CO. Vehicle access is highly restricted; you must purchase a parking reservation in advance, and you must arrive before 8:00am, at which point the road closes to private vehicles. After 8:00am or without a parking reservation, access is by bike or shuttle only. More information and parking/shuttle reservations can be found here.
- Fees and passes: The entrance fee to the Maroon Bells area is included in your reservation for parking and/or the shuttle.
- Hiking: none needed for this view!
- Where to stay: camping is very limited in the area and fills up extremely quickly… definitely have a back up plan if you don’t have a reservation.
- Other: please stay on the trails, obey closure signs, and don’t step over the ropes… the Maroon Lake ecosystem desperately needs time to recover from years of getting loved to death.
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