Maroon Bells Lake parking

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Buckie06
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Re: Maroon Bells Lake parking

Post by Buckie06 »

Has anyone taken the shuttle up, then backpacked overnight and taken the shuttle down the next day using a Roundtrip Reservation? I can't find anywhere on the website if you have to do your return shuttle on the same day. And no one is answering the phones.....
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sieggy80305
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Re: Maroon Bells Lake parking

Post by sieggy80305 »

CB? You have a link to the trailhead?
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ncxhjhgvbi
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Re: Maroon Bells Lake parking

Post by ncxhjhgvbi »

Buckie06 wrote: Mon Apr 12, 2021 11:59 am Has anyone taken the shuttle up, then backpacked overnight and taken the shuttle down the next day using a Roundtrip Reservation? I can't find anywhere on the website if you have to do your return shuttle on the same day. And no one is answering the phones.....
We did that last year - you can park overnight in the lot by the shuttle pickup. However per one of the posts above it seems you can't park there in perpetuity.

Edit: I don't believe they were checking tickets on the way down, only on the way up from aspen. Don't quote me on that though.
Last edited by ncxhjhgvbi on Mon Apr 12, 2021 12:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Barnold41
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Re: Maroon Bells Lake parking

Post by Barnold41 »

"The most photographed peaks in North America"

We got lucky and got Pyramid before they started doing this insane res system... find another route and enjoy the Elks. Standard is overrated, anyway.
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sieggy80305
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Re: Maroon Bells Lake parking

Post by sieggy80305 »

According to the website for reservations you cannot park more than 2 nights.
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dwoodward13
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Re: Maroon Bells Lake parking

Post by dwoodward13 »

sieggy80305 wrote: Mon Apr 12, 2021 12:00 pm CB? You have a link to the trailhead?
East Fork Trailhead just north of Schofield Pass. Its the western terminus for the West Maroon #1970 trail. You have to hike about 3 miles to reach the official 4PL loop trail. You intersect almost exactly halfway between West Maroon and Frigid Air Passes.

We started/ended here last year and I would do it again even if there wasn't a reservation system.
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Re: Maroon Bells Lake parking

Post by Chicago Transplant »

sieggy80305 wrote: Mon Apr 12, 2021 12:00 pm CB? You have a link to the trailhead?
This is the approach from Crested Butte, up and over West Maroon Pass:

https://travelcrestedbutte.com/crested- ... oon-pass/
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Re: Maroon Bells Lake parking

Post by crowdsurf »

Barnold41 wrote: Mon Apr 12, 2021 12:01 pm "The most photographed peaks in North America"

...find another route and enjoy the Elks. Standard is overrated, anyway.

If you haven't done it, how do you know? Got my 2 day reservation for August 29th-31st to try and avoid the crowds. Looking to do N. Maroon or the traverse S to N.

Stoked!

screw you guys.gif
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sieggy80305
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Re: Maroon Bells Lake parking

Post by sieggy80305 »

Gotcha, looking at it now. Thanks...looks good.
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Re: Maroon Bells Lake parking

Post by cougar »

A couple years ago I got a free shuttle ride back down to the overnight lot. Don't know if they're still doing that. Driver didn't check anything. Hiked up the road at night to camp at crater lake.
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Re: Maroon Bells Lake parking

Post by Wentzl »

sieggy80305 wrote: Mon Apr 12, 2021 11:51 am Just realized that the shuttle allows only 2 night parking which nixes my plans for Four Pass + Snowmass. Is there a better option available?
If you have a vehicle that can get to Lead King Basin, the start for the S Ridge on Snowmass is also a great launch spot for the 4 Pass loop + Snowmass.
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turbocat
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Re: Maroon Bells Lake parking

Post by turbocat »

The 2 night, 60 hour max (6am to 6PM) sure seems to discourage a leisurely trip @ the 4 pass loop with some climbing sprinkled in, at least from this trailhead. I got one but will probably wind up cancelling and opt for Lead King or Snowmass Creek to not be on a timer.

Kind of torn on this new system. The good is hopefully the limits will prevent overuse and thins the crowds a bit. As long as you are a planner and were ready to get clicking this morning (and ready to watch your browser spin), it was not too bad to score today after the initial 45 minute overwhelming of their system.
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