Maroon Bells - Snowmass Wilderness

Aspen, Pitkin County, Colorado

September 23, 2010

The Maroon Bells are located in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness (181,117 acres, 733 km2, near Aspen), and are considered to be the most photographed peaks in Colorado. If you’re a nature lover and wondering what you want to see in Colorado, you should visit this area. These are considered to be one of the most spectacular mountain peaks in the whole United States. Also, there are about 100 miles of hiking trails inside.

From Interstate 70, at Glenwood Springs, take Hwy. 82 south towards Aspen. (It takes just over one hour to reach the Maroon Bells from Glenwood Springs.) As you approach Aspen, you will see the Aspen airport on your right. Keep following the road and cross the bridge over Maroon Creek.

Just beyond Maroon Creek, you’ll reach a roundabout. Enter it carefully and follow the sign for Maroon Creek road. If you see the church tower, you’ll know you’re going the right direction. From here, just keep following the road until you reach the pay station ($10 per car. Free for Golden Eagle Pass). After that, just follow the road until it ends at the Maroon Lake parking lot. Just a short walk to Lake and you are there !!

On September 23, 2010, I left home at 6:00AM. At Keystone, CO, I pick up three photographers and headed for a photo shooting trip to Marron Bells, McClure Pass, Ohio Pass, and Kebler Pass. Total trip covered 650 miles of driving in 16 hours through the central mountains of Colorado.
The autumn colors were in full bloom. Over the last night, it rained in the lower altitudes but it snowed over 13,000 feet mountains. The morning weather was still rainy at times but in the western skies, I see some blue showing through clouds. We just hoped that it might get clear by the time we reached our destinations of today. So many times in my life, the heaven was on my side when I sincerely wished for it. Counting on the unpromised blessings, we pushed on a long trip to the west in the early morning.

The skies are getting clear as we arrived at the Maroon Lake Parking lot. I see some snow on the summit of Highland Peak (upper left center).



A steep slope with Aspen trees turning yellow and light green. In the center left is the Highland Peak (12,381'-3,774m). The Highland Ski Resort is on the other side.



Maroon Bell Peaks seen from the parking area. There still are heavy clouds covering the summits.



It's a short 5-minute walk from the parking lot to the Maroon Lake.



A few scenes from the parking lot. To the west are western peaks of Sievers Mountain Range.



Sievers Mountain South, also in maroon color.





The summit of Sievers Mountain North (12,773'-3,893m)



As the clouds moved, shadows covered mountains here and there.
Yellow aspen trees showed up better against the dark mountain background.



The whole Sievers Mountain range in one view. A couple of hikers near the Maroon Lake.
They must be heading for Crater Lake about 1.5 miles higher up from here.



Autumn meadows around the Lake and Sievers Mountains behind.



Another view of Sievers Mountains.



We are getting close to Maroon Lake. In fron of us are Maroon Peaks partially covered by clouds.



The Maroon Lake (9,580'-2,920m) with people looking up awesome views of Maroon Bells.



Our team started to take pictures. South Maroon Peak (14,156'-4,315m) at the center, North Maroon Peak (14,014'-4,271m) at the right side. A few other photographers at the lake shore.
It seemed that the water level was low this year. It must have been a dry summer here.

This is supposed to be one of the most photographed scenes in U.S.
Including my group, there were a few more photographers waiting for the right moments.



A close up of Maroon Lake and Maroon Bells. The name of "Maroon" comes from the deep purplish color of the rock and "Bells" comes from the shape of the mountain in which both sides seem symmetrical.
Slight wind kept me from getting perfect reflection of the mountains on the lake surface.
Some of the pictures you see in the Internet show perfect mirror image on the lake.

We were truly lucky to be here on the perfect time and day.
The sky cleared as we arrived, revealing fresh snow-covered rocky peaks.
Snow just came last night. It wasn't even there yesterday.



The Crater Lake is beyond and over the middle slope and toward left side of the mountains. I hiked up there once in the fall and it was one of the most beautiful hiking trails in America as well.
We coudn't hike up there because we still have a long way to go before sunset.



An eastern view from the lake. Highland Peak and it's range.



People at the lake side, looking up Maroon Bells. I was here a few times but it was always an awesome view,
especially with full fall color and snow covered mountains in the background.



An awesome view of the 3 Pyramidal Peaks. Pyramid Peak (front), Thunder Pyramid (14,018'-4,273m at middle), Lightening Pyramid (in the back)



A close up of 3 Pyramidal Peaks



The South Maroon Peak (14,156'-4,315m) from Maroon Creek Road (Colorado 13).



The South and North Maroon Peaks from the road.



Toward south, a view of East Maroon Creek Valley.



Looking up west in the East Maroon Creek.
There are 3 peaks in this range: Hunter Peak (13, 497), Keefe Peak (13,516), and Hilliard Peak.



Maroon Creek at right, East Maroon Creek at left.



A close up of the Maroon Creek Valley. These trees are all aspens in all different shades of colors.