Backpacking Maroon Bells Four Pass Loop clockwise from Crested Butte, Colorado

So Tina and I have a history attempting to backpack the Maroon Bells Four Pass Loop trail in Colorado. Please keep in mind that we are residents of Arizona, so high altitude multi day backpacking trips are out of the ordinary for us.

On our first attempt, we overpacked and didn't even make the first pass.

On our second attempt, I ended up not being able to go due to an injury. Tina decided to try it solo. Long story short, she ended up getting altitude sickness and struggled to make it out, leaving at Aspen after only making three of the four passes. Here's the link to that video;

   • My Wife's First Solo Backpacking Trip...  

If you like this video, I highly recommend you check out her attempt since they tie together and fill in some blanks when you watch them together. Not to mention it shows how tough she can really be since this video doesn't go into detail on how badly she was suffering.

But anyway, about our latest trip included in this video. We went in at Crested Butte and immediately noticed that something was wrong. Tina had extreme fatigue and was struggling from the start. Concerned about altitude sickness because of her last attempt at Maroon Bells Four Pass Loop, she had started taking Daimox the day before we left. Diamox is a medication that helps with altitude sickness. For some people, Diamox also has side effects, ironically, very similar to the affects of altitude sickness.

Tina ended up deciding to abandon this attempt before the first pass. What's not shown in the video is that she went back to the hotel and ended up pretty ill for that night and all of the next day. We still aren't sure if it was altitude sickness, side effects of Diamox, or something else. Whatever it was, it laid her out for a while.

I was extremely bummed out that she couldn't go with me, but I decided to go on and (hopefully) finish the trail. We reorganized gear and she headed back to the car, while I headed up to Frigid Air Pass. I ended up in Fravert Basin at the base of where the trail starts climbing up to the dreaded Trail Rider Pass.

On day 2, I was more determined than ever to finish the trail and headed up Trail Rider Pass. It was brutal, and beautiful. Which describes the entire trail, now that I think about it. I took my time and enjoyed the hike and before I knew it, I was at Snowmass Lake. And it was only around 1PM. So I decided to go for a second pass. The next pass is Buckskin Pass, and it's just as brutal as the rest of them. I actually had read that the trail from Crater Lake (the Aspen side) up to Buckskin Pass was a thigh burner, which is actually why I decided to go clockwise in the first place. And it was. Buckskin Pass to Crater Lake is miles and miles of unrelenting downward (or upward, depending on what direction you are going) trail. It's also one of the most beautiful sections of the trail, in my opinion, with stunning views of Maroon Peak.

Around 8PM, I was at Crater Lake, only to discover all of the campsites were full. So I had to hike another 2 or so miles to finally find a spot.

Day 3 it was up to West Maroon Pass. The trail from Crater Lake to West Maroon Pass was my least favorite section in regard to views....but it's all so beautiful that's not an insult. The trail is also another unrelenting upward slope, although I thought West Maroon Pass was the easiest of the four.

And that was it. Tina surprised me on the trail with cold drinks and snacks about a mile from the parking lot. She's awesome.

And that's it. Maroon Bells Four Pass Loop is finally in the books as complete. For me anyway. Would I do it again? Absolutely. But I may have to wait a bit to forget how hard it was before I try.

Music by Epidemic Sound
Say that You Won't Go - Loving Caliber
I will Remember - Gavin Luke
Through the Hourglass - nothanks
Ten Billion Years - Torii Wolf
Brittle Bones - Sunfish Grove
Run Boy - Smartface
In & Out of Love - Martin Hall
Cain - Lo Mimieux
About You - Pearce Roswell
Into Pieces - Amus Noah
Mountain Air - Cody Francis
Love is No Game - Staffan Carlen
Bring My Friends - Tigerblood Jewel
Sicko - Jake & Jake

If you click on the links below - and especially if you buy from these links - I'll get compensation. So that would be cool. No, I'm not sponsored by them, but I love the products.

Filmed on:

GoPro Hero 9 Black:

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Canon EOS R:

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Weebil S gimbal for your DSLR:

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