The Epic 27-Mile Trail in Colorado’s Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Worth the Effort

There are so many incredible Colorado hiking trails. The most enthusiastic hiker could get out there every day of his or her life with great gusto and still not conquer them all. And that's a shame because so many of them are beautiful, challenging, memorable, and rewarding.

Alas, as hikers, we are forced to choose among them. We can try to hike them all, but it's unlikely that we will succeed in a single lifetime. Fortunately, in Colorado, it's hard to go wrong. Every hiking trail in our great state is different, but they are all amazing in their own way. It's no wonder that people come from all over the world to explore our trails.

If you're an avid hiker and are looking for more beauty and more challenge than you have already enjoyed in The Centennial State, then we have a long, difficult, and breathtaking hike to recommend to you. The Four Pass Loop is 27 miles in length, and you'll gain 7,801 feet in elevation along the way. Tucked away in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, it takes three or four days to complete, but trust us, these are about to be three or four of the very best days of your life.

The Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness is one of the most striking places in Colorado. Not far from Aspen, this area is heavily visited and widely photographed because it is so beautiful. This wilderness area covers 181,535 acres and was established in 1980. It's an area worth protecting—and revering.

The Four Loop Pass Trail gives hardcore hikers the opportunity to immerse themselves deeply in this area. You'll need to make reservations ahead of time to visit this area by personal vehicle or shuttle, and you'll need permits to camp overnight while undertaking this hike.

The Four Pass Loop circumnavigates the Maroon Bells peaks and you'll find beautiful things to view around every turn. The trail begins at the Maroon Bells parking lot. Along the way, you will cross four mountain passes: West Maroon, Frigid Air, Trail Rider, and Buckskin. All four of these passes are over 12,000 feet in elevation. At the beginning and end of this loop hike, you'll be at approximately 9,500 feet above sea level.

With this in mind, this hike is not for the faint of heart and is only for experienced hikers. Even the most physically fit and prepared hiker will find that large sections of this hike are quite challenging. Be sure to acclimatize to the high altitude before starting out to avoid altitude sickness, and be prepared for sudden storms. Bring bear canisters to store your food while camping. There are water sources along the way, but be sure to bring water filters or other water treatment methods as well.

Even though the Four Pass Loop is one of the most challenging long trails in Colorado, if you can pull it off, it's far more than worth it. Hikers who complete the Four Pass Loop Trail will see incredible mountain views the entire way and will pass by alpine lakes, through lush forests, and will walk across fields of wildflowers. You're also sure to see lots of wildlife along this route, too.

The pass can be completed clockwise or counterclockwise, although most hikers choose the latter, and the best time to take on this hike is in late summer. Plan ahead; this is a popular area for hiking, and you don't want to miss out on the reservations or permits that you'll need to tackle this hike.

This is, without a doubt, one of the very best trails in Colorado, and it may very well be the best hike of your life. You'll love it. Happy trails to you.

Feeling inspired? Try planning your own trip using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.