wildernet

Aspen Ranger District

Quick Facts

Buckskin Pass Trail

Average Time:	4 - 5 Hours one way
Beginning Elevation:	9,580 Feet (2986.3 Meters)
Difficulty:	Difficult
Elevation Gain:	2,882 Feet (898.4 Meters)
Ending Elevation:	12,462 Feet (3884.7 Meters)
Length:	4.8 Miles (8.0 Kilometers) one way
Other Maps:	Trails Illustrated 128 Maroon Bells, Redstone, Marble
Recommended Season:	Summer to Fall
Trail Number:	1,975
Usage:	Extremely Heavy
USGS Maps:	Maroon Bells

Outfitters and Guides

		Satellite and Topo Map

General Description

The trail starts at the Maroon Lake parking area traversing through a meadow to the far end of Maroon Lake to a Forest Service bulletin board. Keep right on the Maroon-Snowmass Trail to Crater Lake. At the Crater Lake bulletin board, take the right fork, which climbs steadily into Minnehaha Gulch. About 1/2 mile above the tree line is the Maroon-Snowmass & Willow Lake Trail junction. Take the left fork continuing to follow the Maroon-Snowmass Trail, which leads to some switchbacks that ascend steeply to the top of Buckskin Pass.

Directions from Aspen: From mid-June through September the Maroon Creek Road is closed from 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., you will need to take a shuttle.If you get an early start, drive 1/2 mile west of Aspen on Highway 82 and turn left at onto Maroon Creek Road at the roundabout. Bear right and continue 9-1/2 miles to the Maroon Lake parking area.

Seasonal Information:
Normally Accessible: June through September (NOTE: Snow may obstruct the trail at high elevations into July and in Late September.) .

Current Conditions & Trip Reports

Winter Conditions. Beware of avalanche danger and hypothermia. Updated: 2002-12-23 14:35:00.0

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Filed By: 81611 (aspen, CO)
Difficulty: Moderate
Number of People Encountered: 0-10 ppl
Recommend to a Friend: Highly
Report: Always a beautiful hike, just checking in to say that rain/then lightning/then hail started earlier in the day than usual. Always bring a rain jacket with you on any hike at high elevation!!
Conditions: alternatively sunny/rainy/flooded
Water Availability: 1 liter
Recommended Clothing: Always bring a rain jacket and a sunhat along
Suggested Accessories: I use one hiking pole which really was helpful coming down the rocky part from Crater to Maroon Lake

Time of Day: started at 9:00am ended at 1:30pm
Length of Time: 4.5 hours round trip
Difficulty: Easy
Number of People Encountered: 11-25 ppl
Recommend to a Friend: Highly
Report: I am a twenty year old inexperienced hiker and I thought the hike was great. It was not very difficult at all but very rewarding to see the views once you reach the top of the pass. I hiked in a t-shirt and shorts and made it just fine without all the expensive gear.
Conditions: The conditions were great just watch for rain in the afternoons
Water Availability: One big bottle of water
Recommended Clothing: T-shirt, shorts. Some might need a light jacket incase it becomes breezy
Suggested Accessories: No accessories used

Difficulty: Hard
Number of People Encountered: 11-25 ppl
Recommend to a Friend: Highly
Report: A (literally) breathtaking day hike through varied terrain (cool forests, flower-strewn meadows, craggy scree fields)and challenging switchbacks that gave us 'flatlanders' (both 30something and in reasonable shape for sea level!) a real workout. We saw picas, hawks and other assorted critters (and not too many people) and heard rumors of sheep grazing above treeline. Bring extra energy bars and look up when you feel winded; the exhilarating views will revive you, and the panoramas from the top of the pass will make every groaning muscle stand up and cheer!

Difficulty: Hard
Number of People Encountered: 0-10 ppl
Recommend to a Friend: Highly
Report: A great trip to see many alpine flowers!! Bring your camera! I also continued walking over the pass, down into Snowmass Lake and then out into Snowmass the following day..A great trip! Michael Hills Barrow- in - Furness, Cumbria. England. Via Aspen, Colorado.

Difficulty: Easy
Number of People Encountered: 25-50 ppl
Recommend to a Friend: Highly
Report: Beautiful hike, well marked. Little exposure, but safe. Fairly easy and fast. Very enjoyable, especially nice for us Floridians.

Difficulty: Hard
Number of People Encountered: 0-10 ppl
Recommend to a Friend: Highly
Report: Buckskin Pass is the most difficult hike I have ever enjoyed. The majestic views more than make up for the exertion it takes to mak this hike. I would reccomend anyone who makes this hike be in good physical shape and acclimated to the altitude changes.

View more Trip Reports.

Recreation Opportunities

Activity		Remarks	On Site
	Backpacking	This trail continues beyond Buckskin Pass (see Maroon-Snowmass Trail) and links to several other trails.	Yes
	Hiking & Walking	Maroon-Snowmass Trail	Yes
	Horseback Riding	Maroon-Snowmass Trail	Yes