Four Pass Loop

Ahh, the iconic Four Pass Loop! We set out to complete this 26 mile loop in 3 days, beginning at the Maroon Bells and hiking counter-clockwise over all four picturesque passes. While backpacking breathes an air of solitude, the Four Pass Loop surely did not. It is one of the most popular magical places I've backpacked in.

The trip seemed a lost cause when I woke up ill the night before our departure. It delayed our start significantly; however, by 11:00am we were hiking up toward Buckskin Pass in a misty drizzle before finding a campsite nestled in some trees just below the pass. We didn't make it far that first day, but listening to the rain hit the tent fly as afternoon turned into night was both healing and rejuvenating.

Each day thereafter consisted of snow crossings, pass climbing and a lot of rain. The low clouds blocked the views of distant peaks, but they cloaked the passes and meadows in still, quiet, eerie mystery.

On our last day, we awoke to blue skies. We welcomed the change in weather and as the sun recharged us, we made our way over West Maroon Pass - the final pass of the trip.

Aspen to Crested Butte for Vinotok

For my birthday, some friends and I decided to hike 12 stunning miles from Aspen to Crested Butte on West Maroon Pass. We began our journey at 5:00 am, hoping to avoid the crowds of tourists that tend to gather at the Maroon Bells - and we did just that.

It wasn't until we began ascending West Maroon Pass that we saw other people on the trail. The top of the pass revealed remarkable views of the surrounding valleys that reached toward Aspen and Crested Butte. It was a beautiful fall day, and we lingered quite a while on top of West Maroon Pass.

The descent was quick and in a short amount of time we found ourselves back in the trees. We popped out of the trees into the parking lot about six hours after we began hiking that morning. We enjoyed a cold beer and some lunch before piling into the vansion and heading into town for the Vinotok Festival.

Vinotok proved to be even weirder than expected. I treasure small towns, free spirits and wacky festivals.