(52 votes, avg: 8.98 out of 10)
Loading...Connects: Four Pass Loop, Three Pass Loop, Crater Lake Trail, Crater Lake (10,076 ft), West Maroon Trail, Maroon-Snowmass Trail, Minnehaha Gulch, Willow Pass (12,570 ft), East Snowmass Trail, Willow Lake (11,795 ft)
Willow Lake Trail in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness
Aspen, CO – Hard – 6.5 Miles – Hike, Run, Horseback Ride, Dog Friendly – Rocky/Dirt
Willow Lake Trail #1978 is a difficult trail that you can hike, run, and horseback ride that is dog friendly. This is a 6.5 mile rocky dirt trail in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness that travels over Willow Pass near Aspen, CO.
The trail is not marked to Willow Lake, a series of other marked trails need to be taken to find your way. From the Maroon Bells Visitor Center head toward the Crater Lake Trail. Just before you reach Crater Lake (1.8 miles) a sign is marked turn right for the Maroon-Snowmass Trail. Continue on the steady climb up Maroon-Snowmass Trail passing through Minnehaha Gulch for 2.2 miles. A sign (39°06’00.9″N 106°59’06.0″W) will be marked turn right for Willow Pass. This is a tough 1 mile uphill to the top of Willow Pass. From there the trail descends down 1.5 miles to Willow Lake. The intersection for East Snowmass Trail is found 0.5 miles before you reach Willow Lake.
More information about Willow Lake Trail can be found at:
White River National Forest – Maroon Lake to Willow Lake #1978 (Hiking)
White River National Forest – Willow Lake Trail #1978
White River National Forest – East Snowmass Trail #1977 to Willow Lake (Hiking)
