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Four Pass Loop on Saturday June 30th
Mileage: Forest Service says 28 miles, consensus is closer to 26
Vertical gain: Around 8,000ft
Attempted the loop in July of 1996 as a backpacking trip but it was too snowy so we turned around at the first pass. Long past due for another go at it. Rob and I decided to do the loop in a day rather than carry a heavy pack. Left Maroon Lake at 4:30 a.m. and headed around Crater Lake a little after 5.
Made it to West Maroon Pass in 2:20. Not being a runner, we agreed to only jog the downhill sections and a very small bit of the flats.
Me heading into West Maroon Pass.
Waiting for the sun to come over the ridge.
Up and over Frigid Air Pass at 3:21.
Rob got a nice shot of the columbines.
Our first time in Fravert Basin. Awesome place.
Another shot of Fravert.
Stopping to check out King Falls.
Rob grabbed a shot of the lesser seen side of the Bells.
Stopped at North Fork to filter water since we had our shoes off anyway to cross.
Dropped down to around 10,200ft in Fravert and I started to slow down gaining the vertical up Trail Rider Pass. Rob cruised on ahead.
Looking back from the top of Trail Rider.
Rob and me on Trail Rider Pass, 6 hours 25 minutes into the day.
Jogged down to Snowmass Lake.
Rob nearing the lake. The only other time I had been here was on a wintery day in early May so seeing the area in summer conditions was a treat.
Took maybe a half hour break, pumped some water, and went for a swim.
Hiked back to the trail, reluctantly dropped a couple hundred vertical feet below the lake, then very slowly started walking up to Buckskin. Nice views of Capitol and Snowmass. Not much snow though; can't believe we were skiing these peaks last June.
Me on Buckskin at 9 hours 20 minutes into the day. Having never hiked more than 15 miles in a day and on only two prior occasions ever jogged more than 3 miles in a day, my legs were hurting.
Rob took off jogging down Buckskin while I walked about as fast as I could manage. Apparently Rob was feeling the pain too as I ended up catching him about 4 miles later as we neared Maroon Lake.
Went for another swim at Maroon Lake, 10 hours 50 minutes after leaving the TH earlier that morning. It was a hot day and I was curious if it was the swim at Snowmass Lake that confused the elevation on my new Suunto Core watch (it appears so).
I hadn't been this excited about a hike that didn't involve some mountain top as an objective in quite a while. Highly recommend the Four Pass Loop, whether you're planning to do it as a 4 day backpack or a 4 ½ hour run (current record is an astonishing 4:14 RT from Crater). In planning this trip I noticed that most single day Loops were being made by runners posting impressive times of 6 to 9 hours. For what it's worth, if you go light, walk quick when you can, and only jog some of the downhill and a bit of the flats, like we did, this amazing hike can still be enjoyed in a day. If my blisters heal by next weekend and the weather clears I might do it again.
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
My wife and I have been talking about jogging the 4 passes as well, might have to wait until after the monsoon now. It would suck to be stuck half way through waiting for a T-storm to pass before heading up one of the passes. Take a look at the Southern (~16 miles) and Northern (~26 miles) Indian Peaks loops, fun, scenic runs as well.
Thanks for posting! Looks absolutely beautiful! I've been needing some ”stop-working-so-much-and-get-outside-and-kick-your-own-ass” inspiration...you're report seems to have done the trick
Very cool report.
Snowmass lake is my favorite spot in Colorado to pitch a tent. Great pictures, and inspires me to try this in a day as you did.
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