I am planning to make an attempt on Maroon Peak (South) in a few days. Was wondering if anyone had any insight onto the best place to car camp for free near Aspen. I am fine with it being toward Independence Pass or even Twin Lakes as well as I will be heading that way into the Aspen area and am just looking to catch a few hours sleep.
Secondly, I will be meeting a friend from a different part of the state and is there any place we can legally leave a car in Aspen for the purpose of just taking one car to the Bells TH and saving $10? I looked into the RFTA site and they made it pretty clear that those lots are for people taking the bus only and not supposed to be used by others.
Thanks for any tips!
Free Camping/Parking Near Aspen
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Tornadoman
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Free Camping/Parking Near Aspen
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Scott P
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Re: Free Camping/Parking Near Aspen
I have tried camping free in the area, but you will likely drive enough out of the way that it wouldn't be worth it. I'd suggest just packing into Crater Lake and camping there.Was wondering if anyone had any insight onto the best place to car camp for free near Aspen.
I'm old, slow and fat. Unfortunately, those are my good qualities.
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TallGrass
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Re: Free Camping/Parking Near Aspen
If lake camping, do you have a bear canister?
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Phill the Thrill
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Re: Free Camping/Parking Near Aspen
Well, if you want FREE parking, one suggestion would be to drive south from Aspen on Castle Creek road till the road turns to dirt and camp at one of the dispersed camping sites along the road to the Castle Peak TH. That would probably be a 45 minute drive from there.
"So many things I would have done, but clouds got it my way."
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Tornadoman
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Re: Free Camping/Parking Near Aspen
I do have a bear canister, but really don't want to make this a backpack trip.TallGrass wrote:If lake camping, do you have a bear canister?
That thought went through my head if I can't come up with anything better. Might be better to do something in the Indy Pass area as that is more on my route but Castle Creek is a good fall back.Phill the Thrill wrote:Well, if you want FREE parking, one suggestion would be to drive south from Aspen on Castle Creek road till the road turns to dirt and camp at one of the dispersed camping sites along the road to the Castle Peak TH. That would probably be a 45 minute drive from there.
Climb the mountain so you can see the world, not so the world can see you.
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AlexeyD
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Re: Free Camping/Parking Near Aspen
Yep...the east side of Independence Pass may be your best bet. That area gets crowded, too, but at least there are more options.Tornadoman wrote:or even Twin Lakes as well as I will be heading that way into the Aspen area and am just looking to catch a few hours sleep
Not gonna lie, the camping situation in the Aspen area sucks big time. Frankly, it's unsustainable. I don't understand why the powers that be don't at least tacitly permit people to discreetly sleep in their car at the overnight lot. I mean honestly, not all of us have wealthy friends in Aspen to stay with or a trust fund to afford a hotel there...what are we supposed to do??
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XterraRob
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Re: Free Camping/Parking Near Aspen
Approach from CB, Marble, or SnowmassAlexeyD wrote:Yep...the east side of Independence Pass may be your best bet. That area gets crowded, too, but at least there are more options.Tornadoman wrote:or even Twin Lakes as well as I will be heading that way into the Aspen area and am just looking to catch a few hours sleep
Not gonna lie, the camping situation in the Aspen area sucks big time. Frankly, it's unsustainable. I don't understand why the powers that be don't at least tacitly permit people to discreetly sleep in their car at the overnight lot. I mean honestly, not all of us have wealthy friends in Aspen to stay with or a trust fund to afford a hotel there...what are we supposed to do??
Turn the Bells into a REAL adventure.RIP - M56
Re-introduce Grizzly Bears into the Colorado Wilderness™
Re-introduce Grizzly Bears into the Colorado Wilderness™
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pmeadco
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Re: Free Camping/Parking Near Aspen
That's actually a reasonable suggestion. The West Maroon trailhead isn't that much further, although it does throw in a pass crossing.XterraRob wrote:Approach from CB, Marble, or Snowmass
Really though, this topic comes up so often. I will be the a$$hole and say it: Spend some time in search and you will find your answer.
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AlexeyD
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Re: Free Camping/Parking Near Aspen
Or not. It seems to be the question without an answer (at least a good one). Kinda like all of the climbers trying to figure out where to camp near Boulder...pmeadco wrote:Really though, this topic comes up so often. I will be the a$$hole and say it: Spend some time in search and you will find your answer.
Last edited by AlexeyD on Fri Jul 21, 2017 5:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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XterraRob
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Re: Free Camping/Parking Near Aspen
"I'm looking to do some climbing near Boulder, do you know any good areas that would be safe to squat in without getting much trouble? Bringing my wife and 12 kids."AlexeyD wrote:
Or not. It seems to be the question without an answer (at least a good time one). Kinda like all of the climbers trying to figure out where to camp near Boulder...
RIP - M56
Re-introduce Grizzly Bears into the Colorado Wilderness™
Re-introduce Grizzly Bears into the Colorado Wilderness™
Re: Free Camping/Parking Near Aspen
I always just camp in Justin Timberlake's front yard and he's always been cool with it.
Re: Free Camping/Parking Near Aspen
XterraRob wrote:"I'm looking to do some climbing near Boulder, do you know any good areas that would be safe to squat in without getting much trouble? Bringing my wife and 12 kids."AlexeyD wrote:
Or not. It seems to be the question without an answer (at least a good time one). Kinda like all of the climbers trying to figure out where to camp near Boulder...
My friend has a huge house and he's usually so blown out he wouldn't even know you were there, it's always unlocked too.
