Crater Lake

Location: Western Colorado
Trip Starts: Maroon Lake Trailhead
Trip Ends: Maroon Lake Trailhead
Total Distance: 1.8 miles
Hike Type: In & Out, Backtrack Hike
Hike Difficulty: Moderate
Trails Used: Maroon-Snowmass Trail
Trail Traffic: Moderate to Heavy
Trip Type: Hiking
More Information:

White River National Forest
Aspen Ranger District
806 W. Hallam
Aspen, Colorado 81611
970-925-5277

Highlights:

The Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness covers more than 174,000 acres in the White River and Gunnison National Forests and has elevations that exceed 14,000 feet. Over 100 miles of constructed trails are available for both foot and horse travel in this area, and hikers and backpackers are treated to scenery that is nothing short of spectacular: panoramic high passes, beautiful alpine lakes, quaking aspen groves, meadows sprinkled with wildflowers and jagged peaks. Unfortunately, the area is close to Snowmass and Aspen, and it gets a significant amount of trail traffic, particularly in the summer around Crater Lake.

The lake is a stunning alpine lake in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness that is a popular hiking destination because it sits below the iconic Maroon Bells peaks – often called the most photographed mountains in North America.  The lake is located about 11 miles southwest of Aspen and lies within the White River National Forest.  Crater Lake sits at 10,076 feet elevation and is surrounded by rugged peaks.  The most common way to reach it is via the Crater Lake Trail, a 3.6-mile round trip hike (out-and-back) starting from the popular Maroon Lake trailhead. The trail gains about 500 feet of elevation and is rated moderate.  Just be prepared to see a lot of people at the trailhead.  Access to the Maroon Bells Scenic Area is restricted by vehicle regulations — from mid-June to early October.  The road is closed to personal vehicles during daytime hours (8 am–5 pm) and requires a shuttle reservation or bike/hike-in.

GPS Coordinates:

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