The Four Pass Loop is an incredibly scenic backpacking trail that traverses through the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness near Aspen, Colorado. With stunning mountain scenery, blue alpine lakes, and the iconic Maroon Bells, the Four Pass Loop belongs on your backpacking bucket list.
There are a number questions to ask when planning to backpack this ~26 mile loop. What month should I hike? How many days do I need? Do I need a permit or reservation?
This guide answers commonly asked questions and breaks down how to plan your Four Pass Loop backpacking trip in 10 simple steps.
How to Plan Your Four Pass Loop Backpacking Trip in 10 Simple Steps
1. Decide when to hike the Four Pass Loop
What is the best time of year to hike the Four Pass Loop? Summer is the best time of year to hike the Four Pass Loop. The trail is typically free of snow from late July through September so it is best to plan your trip during these months. The exact timing of the snow melt changes each year so be sure to call the rangers station or check the online ranger reports for detailed updates on trail conditions.
2. Choose the number of days for your hike
How many days are needed for the Four Pass Loop? 4 days, 3 nights is an ideal amount of time for the Four Pass Loop. By taking 4 days to hike the trail, you’ll have enough time to enjoy the scenery, take lots of photos, and stay off the passes in the afternoon when there is a higher risk of thunderstorms.
Most of the other hikers we met during our trip were also doing a 4-day itinerary. 3 days, 2 nights seemed to be the second most popular option. Due to the amount of elevation gain, mileage, and altitude, only very fit backpackers should consider hiking the loop in 3 days or fewer. Keep in mind that 3 days on the trail means long days of hiking with limited flexibility if the weather takes a turn. If you do a 3-day itinerary, it’s best to start hiking early in the morning in order to be off the high passes in the afternoon when thunderstorms are common.
Check out our Four Pass Loop 4 day itinerary as an example of a clockwise route that starts from the Maroon Bells trailhead.
3. Pick your starting trailhead for the Four Pass Loop
What are the Four Pass Loop Trailhead Options? There are three main trailhead options for the Four Pass Loop: Maroon Lake in Aspen, Crested Butte, and Snowmass.
The Maroon Bells at the West Maroon/Maroon Lake trailhead are a stunning way to start and end the Four Pass Loop. The view of the Maroon Bells from the West Maroon/Maroon Lake trailhead is iconic. As an added bonus, the mileage for the Four Pass Loop is the shortest when starting from the West Maroon/Maroon Lake trailhead. If you plan to start your hike here, you’ll need a Maroon Bells reservation through the Aspen Chamber website to access the trailhead. There are several reservation types for the Maroon Bells area:
- Overnight parking passes
- Day parking passes that can be used to get dropped off/picked up at the trailhead
- Passes to ride the shuttle to/from the trailhead.
Parking and shuttle passes for the Maroon Bells area are available through the Aspen Chamber website. We were lucky enough to snag parking passes for the Maroon Bells area so we could park our car at the trailhead for the entirety of our 4-day hike.
The North Fork Crystal River Trailhead and Snowmass Trailhead do not require reservations, however, they add additional mileage to the hike. From these trailheads, you won’t pass by the iconic view of the Maroon Bells unless you detour. A detour for this view is likely not worth the effort since you could drive to the Maroon Lake trailhead to see it another time instead of carrying your heavy pack down and back up again to see it.
4. Choose to hike clockwise or counterclockwise
Which direction should the Four Pass Loop be hiked – clockwise or counterclockwise? Most hikers tend to prefer the direction they chose to hike. That’s the case for us too – we hiked the Four Pass Loop in the clockwise direction and definitely recommend it. We chose to hike clockwise for several reasons:
- Easier climb on Day 1 from Maroon Lake: The hike to the first pass from Maroon Lake in the clockwise direction (West Maroon Pass) is less steep than the hike to the first pass in the counterclockwise direction (Buckskin Pass). We chose the easier climb on day 1 since backpacks tend to be the heaviest on day 1 with all of the uneaten food.
- Better views while hiking downhill: We preferred the views looking downhill in the clockwise direction to the views looking uphill. We were glad to be able to enjoy those views during the easier downhills rather than during the suffer-fest that is uphill climbing.
- Save the best campsite for last: Snowmass Lake is gorgeous! Camping at Snowmass Lake was an incredible way to spend our last night on the Four Pass Loop.
We highly recommend hiking clockwise. With this being said, you’ll love whichever direction you choose! If you choose to go clockwise, check out our clockwise 4 day Four Pass Loop itinerary for more information on daily mileage and where to camp along the way.
5. Decide where to camp along the Four Pass Loop
What are the best places to camp along the Four Pass Loop? The best places to camp along the Four Pass Loop are:
- Snowmass Lake – When it comes to spectacular scenery, Snowmass Lake has the best campsites along the Four Pass Loop. Snag a spot on the eastern end of the lake across the stream for the best views. The campsites are fairly close together in that area, however, when we were there, many of the sites were closed off for restoration so campers were more spread out than usual. For more seclusion, choose a campsite on the west/south side of the lake.
- Geneva Lake – Geneva Lake is a ~3 mile detour from the main Four Pass Loop trail. If you have the fitness for the extra climb and mileage, camping near this beautiful alpine lake is well worth the detour.
- West Maroon Basin – Camp in the Maroon Zone for views of West Maroon Pass and the valley below.
- Fravert Basin Waterfall – Camping near Fravert Basin Waterfall in the North Fork Zone gives you nice views, soothing sounds of the water, and plenty of tree coverage for shade.
Which camping zones should I book for the Four Pass Loop? Permits must be reserved in advance for the zones you plan to camp in during your backpacking trip. (More on permits and reservations below.) Check out the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Overnight Permit Zone Map to see all of the camping options along the Four Pass Loop.
Our 4-Day Four Pass Loop itinerary includes camping in the Maroon Zone, Geneva Lake Zone, and Snowmass Lake Zone. For a 4-day itinerary, we recommend booking permits for the Maroon Zone for night 1 of your trip, the Geneva Lake Zone for night 2, and the Snowmass Lake Zone for night 3.
An alternative to camping in the Maroon Zone could be camping in the East Fork Zone, but keep in mind that there is a pass (and therefore a major climb) between the Maroon Zone and the East Fork Zone that would need to be accounted for in your backpacking itinerary. Avoid climbing the passes in the afternoon when thunderstorms are common.
An alternative to camping in the Geneva Lake Zone could be camping in the North Fork Zone. Geneva Lake is a scenic detour from the main Four Pass Loop trail. If you camp in the North Fork Zone instead of the Geneva Lake Zone, the detour would be optional.
When making your hiking itinerary and selecting which campsites to aim for, keep in mind your starting trailhead, the number of days you plan to hike, elevation changes, the altitude, and your mileage per day. Make sure your plan aligns with your physical limits so you can be safe and enjoy your hike.
If your itinerary can only align with one of the four campsites listed above, we recommended planning to camp at Snowmass Lake. If we had to choose, we think Snowmass Lake is the best place to camp along the Four Pass Loop.
6. Book Permits and Make Reservations
Do I need a permit for the Four Pass Loop? Yes, starting in 2023, overnight permits are required and must be reserved in advance through the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Overnight Permits page at recreation.gov. The first round of overnight backpacking permits are released in February. The second round of overnight backpacking permits are released in June.
For a 4-day itinerary, we recommend booking permits for the Maroon Zone for night 1 of your trip, the Geneva Lake Zone for night 2, and the Snowmass Lake Zone for night 3.
If you are starting at the West Maroon/Maroon Lake trailhead, you will need to book overnight permits for the Four Pass Loop AND book a parking or shuttle reservation for accessing the Maroon Bells area. Parking and shuttle reservations for the Maroon Bells area are available through the Aspen Chamber website.
7. Gear Up
When making a gear list for backpacking the Four Pass Loop, including everything you need while minimizing pack weight is an art! See our Four Pass Loop packing list for tips on what gear to bring on your trip.
If you are getting new gear or trying new food, be sure to test it out before hitting the trail.
8. Train
Carrying a backpack up and down four mountain passes is a heck of a workout. Hiking the Four Pass Loop will be much more enjoyable if your body is prepared for it. Try incorporating exercises that emphasize cardio, legs, and core into your routine.
9. Brush up on backpacking safety
Before your trip, take time to brush up on your backpacking safety knowledge.
- Wildlife: Brush up on what to do in the event of a wildlife encounter. (NPS Bear Safety, NPS Moose Safety)
- Food Storage: Any scented items, including food, must be stored in an approved bear resistant container. Guidelines for approved bear resistant containers are available here.
- Weather: Check the weather before your hike and keep an eye on the skies during your hike, especially when climbing up the passes. Thunderstorms are common in the afternoons so plan to hike the mountains passes in the morning in order to avoid being exposed at high elevation during a thunderstorm. If a storm is rolling in, do not hike up a mountain pass. Take shelter at lower elevation until after the storm. Be aware of what to do in the case of severe weather. (NPS Lightning Safety)
- Altitude: Prepare for the altitude. Be sure to hydrate prior to your hike. If you’re a lowlander, acclimate to the altitude by spending time at altitude before starting your hike.
- Communicate: Tell family or friends your plan and leave an itinerary under the seat of your car.
- Bugs: In addition to bug spray like DEET or Picaridin, we recommend applying a Permethrin spray treatment on your backpack, clothes, and tent prior to you trip to help keep mosquitoes and ticks away.
10. Get out there and enjoy your hike!
You’ve researched like crazy, you’ve trained, and your bags are packed – now it’s time to hit the trail! We hope you enjoy the Four Pass Loop as much as we did. Have an amazing trip!
Related Posts:
- The Ultimate Gear List for Backpacking Colorado’s Four Pass Loop
- 4 Day Itinerary for Backpacking the Four Pass Loop