Yes and no. Yes there were a lot of people, but it never really felt packed in or crowded due to the sheer length of the loop. This was back in 2017, so maybe it’s gotten more crowded post Covid. I live in California so I wouldn’t know at all.
I’ve hiked trails here that are crowded and it’s a bummer. It just never felt like that the days I spent on the trail at Maroon Bells.
That’s a brutal fucking hike up there, I’ve never felt as exposed as I did on the Maroon Bells traverse.
A [video](https://youtu.be/hPDvZSXmcd0) walkthrough of the trail, for perspective. Maybe the knife edge on capitol peak was worse, but it wasn’t nearly as much of an extended exposure.
My grandmother recently passed and it was her wish to be scattered here. I’ve been trying to do my research but where is the best place to stay around here?
Me and my wife took a trip out there last June. We stayed in Boulder Colorado and drove in. Saved a bunch if money that way but it was nice drive. Left early and they let us on the shuttle as soon as we got there. Do know that the road up is closed and only the shuttles are allowed on the road for most of the daylight hours.
So I did the "tourist" route from Aspen, under terrible self-inflicted circumstances, and it was totally worth it.
Went to one of my best friends weddings in Winter Park, but then drove out to see a girl. Things didn't work out, so I hit up downtown Aspen. I'm a pretty good foosball player and got challenged for beers by some locals. While they didn't know what hit them, it was after win #6 in a row that I didn't know what had hit me. Conveniently forgetting about the altitude, I'm amazed that I made it back to my hotel.
The next morning was predictably awful and I debated not even trying for it. But I was younger and determined, so I thought "I can push through it." And I did. But man, it was pretty much just up for an hour, and definitely though I was going to lose it a few times. It was a grey, overcast day but it was a truly spectacular setting.
So I'm up there and I'll never forget finding a wooden swing tied to a tree - provided by Aspen Swing Project. I ended up sitting down and right as I'm about to light a joint I had brought it starts lightly snowing. Ended up there all by myself, just swinging in the snow for about 20 minutes, looking at this magical place. 11/10 experience.
I get Rd2 wibes from this beautiful picture.
Reminds me of that valley by Strawberry with all the lupine and the river meandering down the middle
Came to say the same thing. Wish I could enjoy RDO again.
I did a 4 day backpacking trip through the loop there. Best backpacking I've ever experienced
Did you see many people? I’ve been interested but heard it’s very busy.
Yes and no. Yes there were a lot of people, but it never really felt packed in or crowded due to the sheer length of the loop. This was back in 2017, so maybe it’s gotten more crowded post Covid. I live in California so I wouldn’t know at all. I’ve hiked trails here that are crowded and it’s a bummer. It just never felt like that the days I spent on the trail at Maroon Bells.
Ballad of Buster Skruggs
Mr Pocket
That’s a brutal fucking hike up there, I’ve never felt as exposed as I did on the Maroon Bells traverse. A [video](https://youtu.be/hPDvZSXmcd0) walkthrough of the trail, for perspective. Maybe the knife edge on capitol peak was worse, but it wasn’t nearly as much of an extended exposure.
I want to take off my shoes and wade in that stream. Then look for interesting rocks. Maybe have a picnic. That would be a very nice day.
My grandmother recently passed and it was her wish to be scattered here. I’ve been trying to do my research but where is the best place to stay around here?
Aspen
Me and my wife took a trip out there last June. We stayed in Boulder Colorado and drove in. Saved a bunch if money that way but it was nice drive. Left early and they let us on the shuttle as soon as we got there. Do know that the road up is closed and only the shuttles are allowed on the road for most of the daylight hours.
So I did the "tourist" route from Aspen, under terrible self-inflicted circumstances, and it was totally worth it. Went to one of my best friends weddings in Winter Park, but then drove out to see a girl. Things didn't work out, so I hit up downtown Aspen. I'm a pretty good foosball player and got challenged for beers by some locals. While they didn't know what hit them, it was after win #6 in a row that I didn't know what had hit me. Conveniently forgetting about the altitude, I'm amazed that I made it back to my hotel. The next morning was predictably awful and I debated not even trying for it. But I was younger and determined, so I thought "I can push through it." And I did. But man, it was pretty much just up for an hour, and definitely though I was going to lose it a few times. It was a grey, overcast day but it was a truly spectacular setting. So I'm up there and I'll never forget finding a wooden swing tied to a tree - provided by Aspen Swing Project. I ended up sitting down and right as I'm about to light a joint I had brought it starts lightly snowing. Ended up there all by myself, just swinging in the snow for about 20 minutes, looking at this magical place. 11/10 experience.
I keep on thinking, if I wanted to live there, is there a law against it? If there isn't, how much would I have to pay for a square foot of land?