Maroon Bells Four Pass Loop

July 2011  |  Elk Mountains, Colorado

In late July we spent 6 days backpacking around the famous Maroon Bells in the Elk Mountains of Colorado. The photos pretty much tell the story so I won’t say too much else except that it was another great trek in Colorado!

The Maroon Bells reflect in Crater Lake at dawn. 
Crater Lake Reflection

The Maroon Bells reflect in Crater Lake at dawn. 

Endless green in Purity Basin, as seen from West Maroon Pass - July.
Purity Basin

Endless green in Purity Basin, as seen from West Maroon Pass - July.

Sunflowers in Purity Basin.
Purity Basin Sunflowers

Sunflowers in Purity Basin.

Hikers descend into Fravert Basin from Frigid Air Pass, with the Maroon Bells dominating the scene.

Hikers descend into Fravert Basin from Frigid Air Pass, with the Maroon Bells dominating the scene.

The Maroon Bells reflect in a partly snowed-in tarn high in Fravert Basin, with gloomy, stormy evening weather. 
Fravert Blues

The Maroon Bells reflect in a partly snowed-in tarn high in Fravert Basin, with gloomy, stormy evening weather. 

A sunset spotlight on Snowmass Mountain, reflected in Geneva Lake. 
Geneva Lake Sunset

A sunset spotlight on Snowmass Mountain, reflected in Geneva Lake. 

Stormy weather above Lead King Basin.
Lead King Storm

Stormy weather above Lead King Basin.

Unsettled monsoon weather over Lead King.

Unsettled monsoon weather over Lead King.

Storm clouds lift off the Maroon Bells, above Fravert Basin.
Misty Bells

Storm clouds lift off the Maroon Bells, above Fravert Basin.

Sunflowers at Trail Rider Pass. 
Trail Rider Sunflowers

Sunflowers at Trail Rider Pass. 

Hiking towards Snowmass Lake, from Trail Rider Pass.

Hiking towards Snowmass Lake, from Trail Rider Pass.

An overview of the windex-colored Snowmass Lake.
Snowmass Lake Vista

An overview of the windex-colored Snowmass Lake.

Pine trees and Snowmass Lake. 
Snowmass Lake Trees

Pine trees and Snowmass Lake. 

Brilliant alpenglow on Snowmass Peak and Snowmass Mountain (14,092 ft.), reflected in Snowmass Lake.
Snowmass Lake Alpenglow Reflection

Brilliant alpenglow on Snowmass Peak and Snowmass Mountain (14,092 ft.), reflected in Snowmass Lake.

Early morning shadows play on Snowmass Peak, reflected in Snowmass Lake. 
Snowmass Lake Reflection Panorama

Early morning shadows play on Snowmass Peak, reflected in Snowmass Lake. 

Claudia scrambles up the southern ridge of Snowmass Mountain, on the way to the 14,092 ft. summit.

Claudia scrambles up the southern ridge of Snowmass Mountain, on the way to the 14,092 ft. summit.

Anonymous climbers arrive at the 14,092 ft. summit of Snowmass Mountain after climbing up the west ridge.

Anonymous climbers arrive at the 14,092 ft. summit of Snowmass Mountain after climbing up the west ridge.

Panoramic view from the summit of Snowmass Mountain (14,092 ft.). In the left distance are the Maroon Bells; in the center distance...

Panoramic view from the summit of Snowmass Mountain (14,092 ft.). In the left distance are the Maroon Bells; in the center distance is Treasure Mountain.

Hiking up Buckskin Pass, with Snowmass Mountain behind.

Hiking up Buckskin Pass, with Snowmass Mountain behind.

A ladybug sits atop a sage brush at sunrise.
Sage Ladybug

A ladybug sits atop a sage brush at sunrise.

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