2015 Maroon Bells — Four Pass Loop
Backpacker Magazine chose the Four Pass Loop Trail as the best hike in Colorado (After we had already planned to hike it). We have to agree with the selection. Although the trail is only a little over 32 miles, it is filled with a wide variety of sights. We got lucky and hit the prime time for wild mountain flowers. Pam and her family have been going to Crested Butte for over 35 years for the Wildflower Festival. The Four Pass Loop trail has also become a popular day run for the truly in shape (which we are not). As the name says, you go over 4 passes each right around the 12,500′ range. Being flatlanders from the Midwest, we took Diamox as a precaution. No part of the trail is less than 9,000′ in elevation.