 | | Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Area includes 181,138 acres on the Gunnison and White River National Forests. The great majority of the area (almost 162,000 acres) is located on the White River National Forest. Panoramic high passes, alpine lakes, aspen groves, meadows with wildflowers and jagged peaks greet visitors to this area.It is these reasons that perhaps no other wilderness truly shows the beauty of the Rocky Mountains more than the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness and the Elk Mountains. The 100 miles of trails that lead over 9 passes above 9,000 feet, and vast regions of alpine tundra, rugged glacial valleys with alpine lakes, not to mention the hot springs of Conundrum Creek. In all the elevations in the wilderness range from 9,000 to 14,000, in fact, 6 peaks rise to over 14,000 feet.Congress first recognized the beauty of this area by including it in the original wilderness areas of the 1964 wilderness act. It later enlarged the area in 1980 and today the maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness is Colorado's 4 largest wilderness, however this is not the wilderness to visit if you are seeking solitude. Large numbers of visitors are drawn to the beauty of this area. By far the most popular area in the wilderness is Maroon Lake. Visitors to the Lake are treated to views of the twin peaks of the Maroon Bells reflected in the waters of Maroon Lake. Maroon Lake is set in a U-shaped alpine valley that is covered with wildflowers.The popularity of the Maroon Lakes area has forced the forest service to restrict vehicle traffic up to the Lake during most of the summer. The buses run from Memorial Day until Labor Day, daily. The first bus leaves Aspen at 8:30 am and the last bus leaves Maroon Lake at 5:00 PM. The last bus from Aspen leaves at 4:30 PM.Visitors seeking a greater degree of solitude are strongly advised to visit the Bells after Labor day or during week days at the height of the summer. |
| |  | | | Facilities: There are no facilities available at Maroon Bells - Snowmass Wilderness Area. Reservations: Reservations are not accepted at Maroon Bells - Snowmass Wilderness Area. Best Time To Visit: Maroon Bells - Snowmass Wilderness Area is best after Labor Day to avoid the biggest crowds. Fees: No fees are charged at Maroon Bells - Snowmass Wilderness Area. Accessibility: Unknown Rules: Visitors must have a valid wilderness use permit. Directions: The Maroon Bells - Snowmass Wilderness area is located in Pitkin County, within the White River National Forest. It can be accessed through the city of Aspen. | | |
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| | | | Address | | USDA Forest Service | | 2250 HWY 50 | | Delta, Colorado 81416 |
| | | Phone | | General: (970) 874-6600 | |
| | | | | Website | | Email |
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