Just 5 miles southwest of Aspen, the rugged peaks, broad valleys, and high passes of the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness draw throngs of visitors each year. This guide covers the vast network of trails in the fourth largest wilderness in Colorado. With detailed trails descriptions, accurate maps, and elevation profiles, this guide will show you the popular spots as well as the less-frequented ones. Veteran author Erik Molvar discovered backpacking while working on a volunteer trails crew in the North Cascades of Washington. Erik is the author of trail guides for Glacier, the Bob Marshall Wilderness, Olympic National park, and other areas, as well as Alaska on Foot: Wilderness Techniques for the Far North.

Provides up-to-date trail information; accurate directions to popular as well as less-traveled trials; difficulty ratings; detailed trail maps; zero-impact camping tips.

A guide to hiking trails in Colorado's national parks and wilderness areas, illustrated with 350 full color photographs and trail maps.

• Hikes chosen, described, and photographed by experienced members of the Colorado Mountain Club (CMC) • A wide variety of hikes, from family- and wheelchair-friendly to difficult treks • Includes detailed comments, route descriptions, driving directions, maps, elevation gain, difficulty rating, estimated time of the hike, round-trip distance, and nearest landmark • Fits in your pocket or daypack and features color photos and maps throughout the book The twelfth CMC Press regional pack guide for the State of Colorado, The Best Aspen Hikes not only includes hikes within a short drive of town but also trails near Glenwood Springs, Carbondale, and Leadville. Casual hikers will be awed by the reflection of the iconic Maroon Bells in Maroon Lake, one of the prettiest and most photographed spots in Colorado, while they stroll along the Maroon Lake Scenic Trail. Conversely, experienced hikers will revel in the challenge presented by the twin-summited Mount Sopris, which rises more than 6,000 feet above the Roaring Fork Valley to serve as a stunning backdrop to the town of Carbondale. For outdoor enthusiasts who would rather stay in close proximity to Aspen, the Rio Grande Trail, a paved wheelchair-accessible path, allows for easy access to many of Aspen’s parks and provides a beautiful panorama of the surrounding mountains and Roaring Fork River. Another option, though much more strenuous, is Ute Trail, which climbs high above town and offers spectacular views of the town below.

Described in this guide are 50 trails that range from short, easy day hikes to difficult backpacking adventures. The book covers areas in White River and Gunnison National Forests. Detailed information includes directions to trailheads, maps, and trail length, elevation gains, difficulty, and much more.

Mile-by-mile descriptions and maps for more than 100 hikes eliminate the guesswork of hiking in this mountain paradise east of Puget Sound. From short day hikes to long backpack expeditions, Hiking the North Cascades is a passport to one of the most beautiful mountain areas in North America.