Can anyone recommend to me the best way to get to the maroon bells for morning shot. Making quick trip for the arts festival, over night but I would really like to get some shots. Any other suggestions while I am there? Also, I am handicapped and have to walk with crutches. I can do about 4 miles round trip before I die from exhaustion.
Hopefully this won't prompt a certain somebody to imply I'm a hypocrite (curvy lines and all), but here goes:
Head out of Aspen on Hwy-82 towards Glenwood Springs, turn onto Maroon Creek Road just as you're heading out of town (there's a round-a-bout, look for the huge church on the left), drive till the road turns into a parking lot (something like 10 miles) and follow the short path to the lakeshore. Be there early so you don't have to elbow your way into position at this "secret" location.
Posted by Brad Jackson on July 19, 2006 at 2:50 PM
Thanks for the directions. I have been planning a trip Maroon Bells as well.
I was at the Maroon Bells this morning. Unfortunately it was rainy and grey skys with pretty flat light. We were actually on our way back from a *family* trip to Crested Butte. I wanted to stop by Aspen so we stayed in Carbondale last night.
I think I was a little underwelmed after 3 days in CB and then driving over Kebler Pass yesterday. I must say we had blue skys every morning in CB with some cool cloud formations along with nice wildflowers. But even just the pure beauty of the landscapes and variety of mountains made it more interesting to my wife and I.
I would like to shoot the Bells under better conditions sometime, possibly fall. But I honestly look more forward to exploring some of the other spots we saw along the way. Independence Pass was pretty awesome. It looks like there are several waterfalls worth hiking to and checking out when I have more time. Also I want to get to Marble when I am back that way.
Derek
Posted by Mel Ladewig on July 20, 2006 at 11:48 PM
Marble is definitely worth a visit. Its a nice little town and there is some good 4wd accessible stuff up there. I'm definitely planning to make a couple more trips up to lead king basin outside of Marble in the future. It seems like a really nice drop point for backpacking. Just be aware that the road from Lead King Basin to Crystal and Schofield pass is much more technical, so don't get in over your head. You don't have to make a loop of it.
Discussion
4 repliesHead out of Aspen on Hwy-82 towards Glenwood Springs, turn onto Maroon Creek Road just as you're heading out of town (there's a round-a-bout, look for the huge church on the left), drive till the road turns into a parking lot (something like 10 miles) and follow the short path to the lakeshore. Be there early so you don't have to elbow your way into position at this "secret" location.
I think I was a little underwelmed after 3 days in CB and then driving over Kebler Pass yesterday. I must say we had blue skys every morning in CB with some cool cloud formations along with nice wildflowers. But even just the pure beauty of the landscapes and variety of mountains made it more interesting to my wife and I.
I would like to shoot the Bells under better conditions sometime, possibly fall. But I honestly look more forward to exploring some of the other spots we saw along the way. Independence Pass was pretty awesome. It looks like there are several waterfalls worth hiking to and checking out when I have more time. Also I want to get to Marble when I am back that way.
Derek