Colorado · Trail 1975

Maroon Snowmass

Maroon Snowmass Trail is a 15.4-mile trail in White River National Forest, Colorado. The Forest Service rates it trail class 3, developed. It is open to hiking and horse and pack stock. It enters Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness.

Trail conditions, closures and hazards are not tracked here. The White River National Forest official page carries current alerts and closure orders.

Map

One end Other endLine simplified to about 100 metres. Basemap from the USGS National Map.

One end39.0981° N, 106.9458° W · Directions ↗
Other end39.2001° N, 106.9941° W · Directions ↗

The ends are the two ends of the longest connected chain of segments. The record does not say which is the usual start. The trail is recorded as 3 segments.

The trail

Length15.4 miles
Trail class3, developed
Typeland trail
Surfacenative material
Typical tread width18-24 inches
Motor vehiclesClosed to all motorized use year-round
AccessibilityNot evaluated
Trail numbers1975
ForestWhite River National Forest (unit 0215)
StatesColorado
Detail publishedmanagement level, with uses

Values are the set across all segments. Class 1 is minimally developed and class 5 is fully developed. Grade and width are the forest's typical values, not measured extremes.

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Maroon Snowmass Trail20°30°40°50°60°70°January: 1.93 inches of precipitation, 28.1 inches of snowFebruary: 2.23 inches of precipitation, 28.3 inches of snowMarch: 2.59 inches of precipitation, 26.9 inches of snowApril: 2.68 inches of precipitation, 20.9 inches of snowMay: 2.17 inches of precipitation, 7.0 inches of snowJune: 1.06 inches of precipitation, 0.4 inches of snowJuly: 1.97 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowAugust: 1.75 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowSeptember: 1.89 inches of precipitation, 1.0 inches of snowOctober: 2.09 inches of precipitation, 10.2 inches of snowNovember: 2.09 inches of precipitation, 20.5 inches of snowDecember: 2.00 inches of precipitation, 27.5 inches of snowJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 20.9°F averageFebruary: 23.9°F averageMarch: 31.2°F averageApril: 38.1°F averageMay: 47.5°F averageJune: 56.4°F averageJuly: 61.8°F averageAugust: 60.1°F averageSeptember: 53.4°F averageOctober: 42.5°F averageNovember: 30.5°F averageDecember: 21.1°F average0 in10 in20 in30 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Aspen 1Sw, 11 miles from the trail midpoint at 8,175 feet, station USC00050372 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 24 inches a year. The dotted line is average snowfall, about 171 inches a year on the same inches scale. The station sits about 2,800 feet lower than the trail midpoint, so temperatures on the ground run cooler.

Allowed uses

HikingAllowed year-round
Horse and pack stockAllowed 06/01 to 10/31 (month/day)

A use is listed when the Forest Service records it as managed, accepted or discouraged on any segment. Discouraged still means legal. Uses marked restricted are left out. Where the forest publishes a Motor Vehicle Use Map, that map governs motorized use.

Wilderness

Inside a designated wilderness, bicycles and motor vehicles are prohibited by law regardless of the trail record, and permits or group limits may apply.

Trailheads

Buckskin Pass Trailhead #1975
No season published
The following regulations apply to the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness and are in place to protect this special area: Overnight permit required for overnight stays within the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Overnight Permit Zones. Food, refuse and any scented items must be stored in an IGBC approved bear resistant container. Human food habituated bears are a threat to human safety. Visitors without approved bear resistant containers will be ticketed and required to leave. You must have a plan for human waste. Human waste bags (WAG) bags are highly recommended and are available free of charge at the Conundrum Creek and Snowmass Lake trailheads. WAG bags must be packed out. Learn more about how to use a WAG bag. If a WAG bag is not used, visitors are required to deposit solid human waste in holes dug 6 to 8 inches deep at least 200 feet (70 paces) from water, camp and trails. Group size is limited to 10 with no more than 15 stock animals in one group. Large groups multiply impacts to the wilderness and disrupt the solitude of others. Dogs are prohibited in the Conundrum Creek Valley from Silver Dollar Pond to Triangle Pass, including the hot springs. Everywhere else, dogs must be leashed. Campfires are prohibited at all designated sites at Conundrum Hot Springs, within ¼ mile of Crater Lake and above 10,800 feet. Campfires consume wood, accumulate trash, kill fragile alpine vegetation, sterilize the soil and scar the land. Campers must camp in designated sites at Conundrum Hot Springs, Copper Lake, Crater Lake, Geneva Lake, and Capitol Lake. Everywhere else campers should set up more than 100 feet from lakes, streams and trails and use previously impacted campsites. Help provide a feeling of solitude, camp out of sight of others and fragile areas.
under 0.1 mi
Maroon-Snowmass Trailhead, #1975
No season published
Maroon Bells - Snowmass Wilderness regulations protect this special place: Overnight permit required for overnight stays within the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Overnight Permit Zones. Food, trash and any scented items must be stored in an IGBC approved bear resistant container. Human food habituated bears are a threat to human safety. Visitors without approved bear resistant containers will be ticketed and required to leave. You must have a plan for human waste. Human waste bags (WAG) bags are highly recommended and are available free of charge at the Conundrum Creek and Snowmass Lake trailheads. WAG bags must be packed out. Learn more about how to use a WAG bag. If a WAG bag is not used, visitors are required to deposit solid human waste in holes dug 6 to 8 inches deep at least 200 feet (70 paces) from water, camp and trails. Group size is limited to 10 with no more than 15 stock animals in one group. Large groups multiply impacts to the wilderness and disrupt the solitude of others. Dogs are prohibited in the Conundrum Creek Valley from Silver Dollar Pond to Triangle Pass, including the hot springs. Everywhere else, dogs must be leashed. Campfires are prohibited at all designated sites at Conundrum Hot Springs, Capitol Lake, Crater Lake and above 10,800 feet including Snowmass Lake. Campfires consume wood, accumulate trash, kill fragile alpine vegetation, sterilize the soil and scar the land. Lightweight camp stoves are recommended. Campers must camp in designated sites at Conundrum Hot Springs, Copper Lake, Crater Lake, Geneva Lake, Capitol Lake and Thomas Lakes. Everywhere else campers should set up more than 100 feet from lakes, streams and trails and use previously impacted campsites. Camp out of sight of others and away from fragile areas.
0.1 mi
Maroon Lake Scenic Trailhead, #2197
No season published
Maroon Bells - Snowmass Wilderness regulations protect this special place: Overnight permit required for overnight stays within the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Overnight Permit Zones. Food, trash and any scented items must be stored in an IGBC approved bear resistant container. Human food habituated bears are a threat to human safety. Visitors without approved bear resistant containers will be ticketed and required to leave. You must have a plan for human waste. Human waste bags (WAG) bags are highly recommended and are available free of charge at the Conundrum Creek and Snowmass Lake trailheads. WAG bags must be packed out. Learn more about how to use a WAG bag. If a WAG bag is not used, visitors are required to deposit solid human waste in holes dug 6 to 8 inches deep at least 200 feet (70 paces) from water, camp and trails. Group size is limited to 10 with no more than 15 stock animals in one group. Large groups multiply impacts to the wilderness and disrupt the solitude of others. Dogs are prohibited in the Conundrum Creek Valley from Silver Dollar Pond to Triangle Pass, including the hot springs. Everywhere else, dogs must be leashed. Campfires are prohibited at all designated sites at Conundrum Hot Springs, Capitol Lake, Crater Lake and above 10,800 feet including Snowmass Lake. Campfires consume wood, accumulate trash, kill fragile alpine vegetation, sterilize the soil and scar the land. Lightweight camp stoves are recommended. Campers must camp in designated sites at Conundrum Hot Springs, Copper Lake, Crater Lake, Geneva Lake, Capitol Lake and Thomas Lakes. Everywhere else campers should set up more than 100 feet from lakes, streams and trails and use previously impacted campsites. Camp out of sight of others and away from fragile areas.
0.2 mi
East Snowmass TH #1977
No season published
Maroon Bells - Snowmass Wilderness regulations protect this special place: Overnight permit required for overnight stays within the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Overnight Permit Zones. Food, trash and any scented items must be stored in an IGBC approved bear resistant container. Human food habituated bears are a threat to human safety. Visitors without approved bear resistant containers will be ticketed and required to leave. You must have a plan for human waste. Human waste bags (WAG) bags are highly recommended and are available free of charge at the Conundrum Creek and Snowmass Lake trailheads. WAG bags must be packed out. Learn more about how to use a WAG bag. If a WAG bag is not used, visitors are required to deposit solid human waste in holes dug 6 to 8 inches deep at least 200 feet (70 paces) from water, camp and trails. Group size is limited to 10 with no more than 15 stock animals in one group. Large groups multiply impacts to the wilderness and disrupt the solitude of others. Dogs are prohibited in the Conundrum Creek Valley from Silver Dollar Pond to Triangle Pass, including the hot springs. Everywhere else, dogs must be leashed. Campfires are prohibited at all designated sites at Conundrum Hot Springs, Capitol Lake, Crater Lake and above 10,800 feet including Snowmass Lake. Campfires consume wood, accumulate trash, kill fragile alpine vegetation, sterilize the soil and scar the land. Lightweight camp stoves are recommended. Campers must camp in designated sites at Conundrum Hot Springs, Copper Lake, Crater Lake, Geneva Lake, Capitol Lake and Thomas Lakes. Everywhere else campers should set up more than 100 feet from lakes, streams and trails and use previously impacted campsites. Camp out of sight of others and away from fragile areas.
0.2 mi

Distance is from the point to the nearest part of the trail line. Season text is what the forest wrote and is often a season name rather than a date.

Trails nearby

Camping nearby

Campsite Atlas cards carry site counts and booking links from Recreation.gov. Forest Service cards come from the recreation layer and link the agency page.

Fire nearby

  • Wildfire
    Willow

    33 mi from the trail midpoint · 7,359 acres · 92% contained

  • Prescribed
    Main Mesa Piles Rx

    46 mi from the trail midpoint · 366 acres

Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Closure orders are on the forest's official page.

Explore

Guidebooks for Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness and Colorado

We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.

  • Hiking Colorado's Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness
    Erik Molvar, 2020
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Hiking Colorado's Western Slope
    Bill Haggerty, 2025
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Best Dog Hikes Colorado
    Emma Walker, 2019
    Find at Bookshop.org

Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.

Reference

Questions people ask

How long is the Maroon Snowmass Trail?

The Forest Service records 15.4 miles under this name in White River National Forest, the sum of 3 segments.

Source: Forest Service trail layer

What is allowed on the Maroon Snowmass Trail?

Hiking and horse and pack stock are allowed. The trail is closed to motor vehicles year-round. Some uses are seasonal. The allowed uses section lists the dates.

Source: Forest Service trail layer

Where does the Maroon Snowmass Trail start?

The line begins at 39.0981° N, 106.9458° W and ends at 39.2001° N, 106.9941° W. The nearest recorded trailhead is Buckskin Pass Trailhead #1975, under 0.1 miles from the line. The record does not say which end is the usual start.

Source: Forest Service trail layer

Is the Maroon Snowmass Trail in a wilderness area?

Yes. It enters Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. Wilderness rules ban bicycles and motor vehicles and often limit group size.

Source: Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness

Where can I camp near the Maroon Snowmass Trail?

Maroon Bells Amphitheatre (0.5 mi), Silver Queen Campground (3.4 mi) and Silver Bell Campground (4.2 mi) are within five miles of the trail. The camping section lists all 4 with site counts and booking links.

Source: Campsite Atlas

How developed is the Maroon Snowmass Trail?

Trail class 3, which the Forest Service describes as developed. Class 1 is a minimal, unimproved route and class 5 is fully developed, often paved.

Source: Forest Service trail layer

How steep and how wide is the Maroon Snowmass Trail?

The typical tread is 18-24 inches wide.

Source: Forest Service trail layer

Who manages the Maroon Snowmass Trail?

White River National Forest, Forest Service unit 0215. The trail is in Colorado.

Source: White River National Forest official page

Is there a fire near the Maroon Snowmass Trail?

The interagency feed shows 2 active incidents within 50 miles of the trail midpoint as of 2026-11-01, the nearest Willow at 33 miles. Check the forest's closure orders before you go.

Source: Fire nearby

Source

This page is built from 3 segments named Maroon Snowmass in the Forest Service TrailNFS_Publish layer, administrative unit 0215. Wilderness overlap is tested against the National Wilderness Preservation System layer from Wilderness Connect. Trailheads and Forest Service campgrounds come from the Forest Service Recreation Opportunities layer. Data refreshed November 1, 2026. The methodology page explains how segments become trails.