Colorado · Hiking · Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness

East Maroon

East MaroonPhoto: Cal Wolfe, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
14.6 mi
round trip
2,189 ft
climb
11,277 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Aug
best months

Is East Maroon open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 6 alerts for White River National Forest.

As of · Source: USFS · White River National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

East Maroon is a 14.6-mile out-and-back hike in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, part of the Aspen Ranger District of White River National Forest in Colorado. The trail runs on natural surface, and horses are allowed. Bikes are not. The route starts at about 9,083 feet and climbs to roughly 11,277 feet, with an elevation gain of about 2,189 feet. The Forest Service manages the surrounding land. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station run to highs around 73°F in July, while temperatures at the top run cooler than those figures. Winter is harsh, with January highs near 31°F. The East Maroon Trail and Maroon Creek Trail, both ski touring routes, sit within a few tenths of a mile. Silver Queen Campground and Maroon Lake Scenic, a lake fishing spot, are both about 1.6 miles away.

Go with a guide

  • Best time to go · Jun–Aug

    Best time to visit East Maroon

    Best months: June–August. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      31° / 3°

      8 wet

    2. Feb

      33° / 3°

      8 wet

    3. Mar

      39° / 9°

      8 wet

    4. Apr

      44° / 18°

      8 wet

    5. May

      55° / 27°

      9 wet

    6. Jun

      68° / 34°

      9 wet

    7. Jul

      73° / 39°

      12 wet

    8. Aug

      70° / 38°

      12 wet

    9. Sep

      62° / 31°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      51° / 23°

      6 wet

    11. Nov

      39° / 14°

      7 wet

    12. Dec

      31° / 6°

      7 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Sugarloaf Rsvr, CO, 30.6 mi away at 9,738 ft. The station sits about 1,500 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Maroon PeakPhoto: Sandy Horvath-Dori from Grand Junction, CO, USA, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Maroon Peak

~3 min drive

Standard route to Maroon Peak (14,163 ft) from Maroon Lake.

Trail near Maroon LakePhoto: Michael Kirsh, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Trail near Maroon Lake

~3 min drive

0.44-mile out-and-back trail near Maroon Lake, Colorado, managed by the Forest Service.

Maroon-Snowmass TrailPhoto: Michael Kirsh, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Maroon-Snowmass Trail

~3 min drive

A strenuous 32.86-mile out-and-back trek across rocky Colorado terrain for experienced hikers seeking a serious backcountry challenge.

East Snowmass TrailPhoto: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

East Snowmass Trail

~6 min drive

7.78-mile out-and-back hike in Colorado with 396 ft gain.

North Maroon PeakPhoto: Sandy Horvath-Dori from Grand Junction, CO, USA, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

North Maroon Peak

~3 min drive

Standard route to North Maroon Peak (13,980 ft) from Maroon Lake.

Scenic Trail (Maroon Lake)Photo: Michael Kirsh, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Scenic Trail (Maroon Lake)

~4 min drive

1.35-mile loop trail in Colorado's White River National Forest with 123 ft gain.

West MaroonPhoto: KimonBerlin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

West Maroon

~6 min drive

17.63-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado with 5,691 ft elevation gain

SummitPhoto: NHV, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Summit

~7 min drive

1.76-mile out-and-back trail in Colorado with 945 ft elevation gain.

HIKE

Pyramid Peak: Approach to 11,900 ft

~3 min drive

Route to the summit of Pyramid Peak (14,025 ft) from Maroon Lake.

Trail near Pyramid PeakPhoto: KimonBerlin, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Trail near Pyramid Peak

~5 min drive

0.38-mile out-and-back trail near Pyramid Peak in Colorado.