The hike from Aspen to Crested Butte

Becky and I began our "Credit-Card Fast Packing" trip Saturday morning, with the plan of hiking from Aspen, through the mountains, to Crested Butte. The drive alone takes 4 - 5 hours, but as the crow flies, Crested Butte is only 20(ish) miles from Aspen. It was dark and cold and rainy and ominous when we started. When we arrived at Crater Lake (below), the lightning and thunder was soooo bad that we decided to throw in the towel and head home.

We took cover in the pines as the hail pelted us (the lone figure is Matt) . . .

Notice the hail on the trail . . . but Becky is still smiling, although cold

The storm grew worse as we headed back down to Aspen. But it was all very "Alaska-like."

Finally the storm broke, and after losing several hours sitting under pines and hiking back to Aspen, we decided to carry on. Becky bravely made the first cold river crossing in 30 degree weather . . .

A few hours later, we were nearly to the top of West Maroon Pass. We were still freezing cold and soaked to the bone . . . (notice the trail cutting up to the ridge)




And finally on top of the pass . . . 12,500 feet . . . the view back toward Aspen.

The view over the pass toward the Crested Butte side . . .

And then the treacherous descent down the pass on slick rocks (that little speck on the trail is Becky) . . .

Down the mountain we went . . . past summertime glaciers . . .

And finally we descended into the high hills and alpine wild flowers at about 11,000 feet . . .

Close up of the wildflowers . . .

And then hours later we finally made into Crested Butte. We dried out, thawed out, and spent the evening on the town . . .

This has to be the greatest siding to a home that I have ever seen . . .

And then the next morning we were on the trail again back to Aspen, but this time under sunnier skies . . .

Becky preparing to go over the pass again . . . 12,500 feet . . .

And then, on top of the pass, the weather started rolling in again . . .

Becky heading back down the pass to the Aspen side . . .

The very cold wade through a glacier fed stream . . .

One last stop at Crater Lake high above Aspen, and one final "cleaning out of the shoes"

And look how thick the aspen forests are . . .

And two days later, we finally threw the bags back in the car and headed home . . . Aspen to Crested Butte, and then Crested Butte to Aspen!

We encourage all who can to someday do this hike, it was truly UNREAL!