wildernet

Aspen Area

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Nearby Activities

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Activity	Location	Description

Capitol Creek Trail	Aspen Ranger District, White River National Forest	A good backpacking hike with access to the Avalanche Creek Trail, West Snowmass Trail and Capitol Peak. This area is popular with horseback riders, hikers, and climbers.

Capitol Creek Trail (Avalanche Creek Access)	Sopris Ranger District, White River National Forest	This trail starts 9 miles up Avalanche Creek trail and ends at the pass. It is another quarter mile down to Capitol Lake. The trail starts in conifers then opens up into alpine areas with wildflowers and fantastic views of Avalanche Creek. It may also be accessed from the Aspen District.

Conundrum Creek Trail	Aspen Ranger District, White River National Forest	Although the trail is moderate in terrain, it is a long day hike or 2 day backpacking trip. The trail generally parallels Conundrum Creek up the valley, following an old jeep trail which then turns into a trail.

Crater Lake Trail	Aspen Ranger District, White River National Forest	This trail serves as a short and very popular day hike, or starting point for extended backpacking trips into the wilderness.

Crystal City Four-Wheel Drive Road	Sopris Ranger District, White River National Forest	The Deadhorse Mill, or Crystal Mill, a historical landmark, stands next to the Crystal River west of the town of Crystal as a reminder of the mining economy that brought settlers to the region.

Eagle/Thomasville Road	Sopris Ranger District, White River National Forest	This road is not a four wheel drive road, but is very dangerous and slippery when wet. Do not drive on it if rain is in the forecast or it has recently rained!

East Maroon Trail	Aspen Ranger District, White River National Forest	This wilderness trail provides good backpacking opportunities and is also a good horseback trail.

East Snowmass Trail	Aspen Ranger District, White River National Forest	This trail is good for hiking, backpacking and horseback travel. The camping is limited due to the steep terrain. This trail is less popular than the Maroon-Snowmass Trail and has very steep sections and may contain snowfields until late July.

Express Creek Road to Taylor Pass Road	Aspen Ranger District, White River National Forest	This is a popular high-altitude jeep route beginning at Express Creek Road. Because of the altitude snow is often present well into mid-July.

Four Mile Road	Sopris Ranger District, White River National Forest	This road passes through aspen and conifer groves and meadows. It is used mainly by campers, hunters, bikers and drivers who want to see some beautiful scenery.

Fryingpan Lakes Trail	Sopris Ranger District, White River National Forest	Beginning at Nast (Horseshoe Bend), the trail is a fairly easy climb and parallels the Fryingpan River for nine miles until it reaches the lakes.

Geneva Lake Trail	Sopris Ranger District, White River National Forest	The easy accessibility of the lake makes it one of the most popular and therefore, one of the most heavily used trails on the district. The trail is moderately steep and has some good views of the surrounding mountains.

Hagerman Pass Four-Wheel Drive Road	Sopris Ranger District, White River National Forest	The Hagerman Pass area is a relaxing ride packed with tons of beautiful scenery. There are campgrounds at Turquoise lake and Ruedi Reservoir that provide convenient camping and fishing.

Holy Cross Wilderness-Sopris Ranger District Wilderness Area	Sopris Ranger District, White River National Forest	The Sopris Ranger District portion of the Holy Cross Wilderness lies to the east of Basalt. The different trails are accessed from various points in the Frying Pan drainage, above Reudi Reservoir.

Lead King Basin Four-Wheel Drive Road	Sopris Ranger District, White River National Forest	Lead King Basin four-wheel drive road passes very close to the boundary of the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness and affords some spectacular views of mountains, meadows, and canyons.

Lost Man Trail	Aspen Ranger District, White River National Forest	This trail is good for hiking and backpacking, also fishing is fair in Independence Lake, Lost Man Lake, and Lost Man Reservoir. The trail is not a complete loop; it is a good idea to set up a shuttle.

Maroon Creek Trail	Aspen Ranger District, White River National Forest	This trail offers a less crowded alternative to viewing the Maroon Valley. There are good views of the Maroon Bells and Pyramid Peak. This is a good day hike and is also a popular trail for horseback riding.

Maroon-Snowmass (Willow Lake)	Aspen Ranger District, White River National Forest	This scenic trail is heavily used. Hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, fishing and camping are available. The trailhead is 9 1/2 miles up Maroon Creek Road. It's located within Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness.

Maroon-Snowmass Trail (from Snowmass Creek Trailhead)	Aspen Ranger District, White River National Forest	This trail is one of the most heavily used trails in the Aspen area. Hikers, backpackers and horse travelers enjoy the wildflowers, views and access to other areas within the Wilderness.

Mid Cunningham Creek Four-Wheel Drive Road	Sopris Ranger District, White River National Forest	Sellar and Diemer Lakes Are near the west end of Forest Road #532. There is fishing and some dispersed camping opportunities at both of these lakes.

Midway Creek Trail	Aspen Ranger District, White River National Forest	This is a great trail for backpacking and horse travel. The trail is mostly in the Hunter-Fryingpan Wilderness and is one of the less-used trails in the Aspen area.

Montezuma Basin Four-Wheel Drive Road	Aspen Ranger District, White River National Forest	There is often snow on the road well into July. This road is very rugged, and in some sections is located in a stream.

New York Creek Trail	Aspen Ranger District, White River National Forest	This is a moderate to difficult hike through spruce and fir forests. From the White River National Forest and the Gunnison National Forest boundary the trail is not maintained, you need to use orienteering skills to continue to Ptarmigan Lake.

Pearl Pass Road	Aspen Ranger District, White River National Forest	Despite the likelihood of snow on the road well into July, the Pearl Pass Road is heavily used especially on weekends. The road is very rocky and steep in sections and often impassable in a vehicle.

Petroleum & Anderson Lakes Trail	Aspen Ranger District, White River National Forest	The Trail follows an old jeep road that is now closed to mechanized vehicles. The trail follows Anderson Creek passing through fir forests then tundra.

Red Table Four-Wheel Drive Road	Sopris Ranger District, White River National Forest	Red Tables Road travels through dense conifer forests and open, high alpine meadows. There are spectacular 360 degree views once you reach the ridge line.

Red Table Trail	Aspen Ranger District, White River National Forest	Taking this route from the top down is an enjoyable down hill cruise with some short uphill sections and some outstanding views of the area. This trail should not be ridden prior to June 21st to avoid disturbing calving elk.

Schofield Pass Four-Wheel Drive Road	Sopris Ranger District, White River National Forest	Schofield was an old mining town and is now a ghost town with a number of old building still standing. The first portion of the road passes through a narrow, steep canyon which contains a number of picturesque water falls.

Smuggler Mountain Road to Hunter Creek Trail	Aspen Ranger District, White River National Forest	Smuggler Road is used heavily by mountain bikes, runners and hikers. Smuggler Road provides a short (1-1/2 mile) work out with great views of Aspen, which makes it very popular.

Smuggler Mountain Road to Lenado Trail	Aspen Ranger District, White River National Forest	Smuggler Road is used heavily by mountain bikes, runners and hikers. The section of trail through Hunter Creek is not as heavily used, but is popular with hikers and mountain bikers, and cross country skiers in the winter.

Smuggler Mountain/Warren Lakes Road	Aspen Ranger District, White River National Forest	The portion of the road to Warren Lakes is very steep and not used as heavily. From Smuggler Road you can also access Hunter Creek, Van Horn Park, and Lenado.

South Fork Pass Trail	Sopris Ranger District, White River National Forest	This well marked trail follows the South Fork of the Fryingpan River. The trail is fairly easy hiking and stays in trees for the majority of the trip.

Summer Road	Aspen Ranger District, White River National Forest	This road is a fairly well maintained dirt road, which is closed to four-wheel drive use. Motorcycle, mountain bike, foot and horse use are permitted.

Tabor Creek Trail	Aspen Ranger District, White River National Forest	This trail follows Tabor Creek and ends at the top of a pass which looks out onto the basin of Anderson and Petroleum Lakes. A side hike, using orienteering skills, can be made to Tabor Lake to the west.

Taylor Pass Road	Aspen Ranger District, White River National Forest	This road climbs from the Taylor River Valley, over Taylor Pass, to the Castle Creek Valley, near Ashcroft. This road can be very rough at times, check at District Office before using.

Thompson Creek Four-Wheel Drive Road	Sopris Ranger District, White River National Forest	Thompson Creek Road provides access for many hiking and biking trails including the following: South Thompson, Lake Ridge Lakes, Mid Thompson, South Branch of Mid Thompson and Dexter Park. It passes through aspen groves and crosses many small streams.

West Maroon Trail	Aspen Ranger District, White River National Forest	This trail is one of the most heavily used trails in the Aspen area. Hikers, backpackers and horse travelers enjoy the wildflowers and access to the wilderness areas.

West Snowmass Trail	Aspen Ranger District, White River National Forest	This trail connects the Maroon-Snowmass and Capitol Creek Trails. The view from the top is magnificent, several 14,000'+ peaks are visible, and wildlife is abundant.