I was lured from New York City to Aspen, Colorado, in 1994 by a friend who needed a roommate “just for the summer.” Seventeen years later, I still live in Colorado, now about 30 minutes from the chic little ski town set amid the glorious Rocky Mountains. Few peaks quintessentially represent Aspen are better than the Maroon Bells.
Typically I only head to the Bells when I’m chaperoning one of my kid’s school field trips or when I have out-of-state visitors. Indeed, this week I’ve played “tourist in my hometown” while hosting some good friends from Florida this week. They were absolutely blown away by the beauty of the Bells, the bright-blue sky, thundering waterfalls, the thick aspen groves and the crystal clear water of Maroon Lake.
Best part of our day-long excursion to the Bells? The three tween-age kiddos in our group didn’t complain one iota on our 1.5-mile trek along the Bells’ Scenic Loop Trail. In fact, they giggled along the rocky dirt trail, scampering ahead like mountain goats to lead us on our adventure.
To get to the Maroon Bells in the summer months, you’ll take a RFTA bus tour from Aspen Highlands ski area; tickets in 2011 are $6 for adults, $4 for youth ages 6 to 16 (under 6 free). The bus drivers do a great job detailing some of the geographical history and ecological features of the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness on the 20-minute bus ride, pointing out avalanche chutes and other natural sights along the way.
Representatives from the U.S. National Forest Service are on hand at the small Maroon Bells’ visitors center, offering interpretive hikes — or directions and advice if you want to set out on your own. There are benches for picnicking and restrooms on site, as well. Remember, weather changes quickly in the mountains, and the air is dry at high altitude, so bring plenty of drinking water and a sweatshirt or jacket, as it may be cooler at 9,850 feet than it is in town at 7,900 feet.
Truly, if you have time for just outdoor summer adventure during your visit to Aspen, make it a half-day visit to the pristine Maroon Bells.
