Colorado peak questions, condition requests and other info.
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I've found this small sliver of trail north of the Bells parking lot that's in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, and isn't in any of the zones. Does anyone have any familiarity with this area? Judging by Google Maps, there are a lot of downed trees in this area and it's highly sloped, but do you think a ranger would have any qualms with me hiking up the slope a ways and pitching a hammock?
rmcpherson wrote: ↑Tue Apr 30, 2024 10:16 am
Does anyone know what time camping reservations for September become available tomorrow?
See: https://www.recreation.gov/permits/4675333
"June 15, 2024 - Overnight permits for August 1-November 30 2024 are available for advanced reservation at 8am Mountain Time."
If you are talking about parking permits for Maroon Lakes, See: https://aspenchamber.org/plan-trip/trip ... servations
"Wednesday, May 1st at 8 AM Mountain Time. Parking Reservations from September through October are available for booking"
I've found this small sliver of trail north of the Bells parking lot that's in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, and isn't in any of the zones. Does anyone have any familiarity with this area? Judging by Google Maps, there are a lot of downed trees in this area and it's highly sloped, but do you think a ranger would have any qualms with me hiking up the slope a ways and pitching a hammock?
I was also curious about their camping rules in the Bells wilderness outside the permit zones so I called and asked. You can camp anywhere outside the permit zones as long as you're 100 feet away from the trail or water and are carrying a bear canister. They don't allow hammocks in the wilderness though unfortunately.
OK, so for parking at the Maroon Lake trailhead, you have to have a reservation.
You can use your 24 hour parking spot beginning at midnight, and you have to depart by 4:30pm. (so really it's a 16.5 hour permit, but OK)
But I thought the road was closed to cars between 8:30am and 5pm.
What I am missing here? How do I get my car back down the road at say 4pm if the road is closed to cars?
seannunn wrote: ↑Thu May 02, 2024 12:12 pm
OK, so for parking at the Maroon Lake trailhead, you have to have a reservation.
You can use your 24 hour parking spot beginning at midnight, and you have to depart by 4:30pm. (so really it's a 16.5 hour permit, but OK)
But I thought the road was closed to cars between 8:30am and 5pm.
What I am missing here? How do I get my car back down the road at say 4pm if the road is closed to cars?
Sean Nunn
Raytown MO
It's only closed to uphill (entering the zone) traffic. Anything else is crazy like you point out.
seannunn wrote: ↑Thu May 02, 2024 12:12 pm
OK, so for parking at the Maroon Lake trailhead, you have to have a reservation.
You can use your 24 hour parking spot beginning at midnight, and you have to depart by 4:30pm. (so really it's a 16.5 hour permit, but OK)
But I thought the road was closed to cars between 8:30am and 5pm.
What I am missing here? How do I get my car back down the road at say 4pm if the road is closed to cars?
Sean Nunn
Raytown MO
Its the Day Parking pass that requires you to leave by 4:30 PM. The Midnight to Midnight pass is good 24 hours until 12 AM.
But yes the road is only closed to enter from 8:30-5. You can leave whenever.
bmills23 wrote: ↑Tue Apr 02, 2024 10:51 am
I got mine today for July 6 through July 8, but forgot to book backcountry permits
Anybody got room on their campsite? lol
It's the other way around. Book your backcountry permit and you get a parking permit. You have to still pay for the parking permit but it comes with a campsite.
In my experience booking parking passes and backcountry permits last year, this actually wasn't true. Yes - when we booked our Crater Lake campsite, there was a link in the confirmation email for a parking pass, but that just took us to the Aspen Chamber Maroon Lake parking pass reservation website. And of course, all the parking passes for our Crater Lake campsite dates were already taken. We had already booked a parking pass so we were good but still, I wouldn't wait for the camping permit to get a parking pass.
this was not my experience. the verbiage in my Recreation.gov email says: "Plan Ahead for Parking and Transportation: If you plan to start your trip at the Maroon Scenic Area, you will need to reserve a parking or shuttle bus reservation. Use this link and your permit reservation number to reserve."
the link sent in the confirmation email is valid and there are still several spots available for the weekend I booked later this month which, to your point, are not available if you go through the Aspen Chamber website.
“To walk in nature is to witness a thousand miracles.” – Mary Davis
Well s**t. I now have to cancel my maroon bells midnight to midnight permit for June 23rd. Before I do, get in touch with me so I can cancel it while you're pouncing on it.
On a related note, I'm looking to do maroon bells traverse and pyramid this year if you have a permit and am seeking partners. Here's to hoping one of you hit me up!
Ryan987 wrote: ↑Wed Jun 12, 2024 5:36 pm
On a related note, I'm looking to do maroon bells traverse and pyramid this year if you have a permit and am seeking partners. Here's to hoping one of you hit me up!
PM sent!
It doesn't have to be fun to be fun. - Mark Twight
It's the other way around. Book your backcountry permit and you get a parking permit. You have to still pay for the parking permit but it comes with a campsite.
In my experience booking parking passes and backcountry permits last year, this actually wasn't true. Yes - when we booked our Crater Lake campsite, there was a link in the confirmation email for a parking pass, but that just took us to the Aspen Chamber Maroon Lake parking pass reservation website. And of course, all the parking passes for our Crater Lake campsite dates were already taken. We had already booked a parking pass so we were good but still, I wouldn't wait for the camping permit to get a parking pass.
this was not my experience. the verbiage in my Recreation.gov email says: "Plan Ahead for Parking and Transportation: If you plan to start your trip at the Maroon Scenic Area, you will need to reserve a parking or shuttle bus reservation. Use this link and your permit reservation number to reserve."
the link sent in the confirmation email is valid and there are still several spots available for the weekend I booked later this month which, to your point, are not available if you go through the Aspen Chamber website.
Well I feel like an idiot... I must've not ready past the words "Use this link..." Good call!
