Buckskin Pass

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 Maroon Lake.

We initially planned a 28 mile loop hike through the area, but changed our mind due to the numerous 3000′ climbs. The Ox and I ended up hiking from Maroon Lake to the Maroon-Snowmass trailhead, a one-way shuttle hike that required a hitch at the end. Nonetheless, the views from Buckskin Pass and at Maroon and Snowmass Lakes were spectacular, and it was well worth the effort. At just over 12,400 feet, Buckskin Pass sits above treeline and offers sweeping, unobstructed views of the surrounding Elk Mountains, including the iconic Maroon Bells and the rugged Snowmass massif. The climb to the pass is steady and demanding, with long stretches of switchbacks and exposure to the elements, but the reward is a dramatic alpine landscape of talus slopes, lingering snowfields, and expansive vistas in every direction. It also serves as a key junction for several trails, making it a popular—yet still awe-inspiring—high point for hikers traversing this wilderness.