Pictures/Writing: Lyle Such

Camera: Canon 5d MkIV

Backpacking the Four Pass Loop in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. We chose to avoid the crowds and begin on the Crested Butte side. Four days, three ni...

We've attempted the Four Pass Loop twice in the past. The first time, weather was horrible so we changed our plans. The second time, the weather was bad and our slow pace was not going to get us over the passes safely so we turned back. Hopefully this would be our year to finish the trek. Four days, 30 miles, and 8,500 feet elevation gain. We decided to enter on the Crested Butte side where there were no crowds, permits, or parking restrictions.

After a long, dusty, bouncy ride we arrived at the remote trailhead. Not many people enter from the Crested Butte side so we wouldn't experience any of the crowds seen at Maroon Bells.

A cold morning, shaded by the trees.

The first section of trail is not on a normal Four Pass Loop itinerary. It added a couple extra miles, but the flowers were everywhere and there were no people to disturb the quiet morning.

A great start. Even though Crested Butte is considered the wildflower capital of Colorado, we weren't prepared for this many flowers.

Texas bluebonnet, a species of lupins. They are so beautiful!!!

Indian paintbrush-there were so many different species and colors of this flower.

So many colors! We usually see one variety of wildflower at a time in California. To see the mixture of species covering the mountains around us was such a special experience.

We expected the flowers to thin out as the elevation got higher. They seem to thrive in this alpine environment, and the flowers were visible all the way up the 12,000+ foot mountain passes.

The trail was gradual until our first steep climb up West Maroon Pass.

This was the only spot we experienced a crowd. West Maroon Pass is visited by day-hikers, people on the Four Pass Loop, and people hiking from Aspen to Crested Butte, so it sees quite a bit of traffic. Everyone was being careful about social distancing while they enjoyed the views.

We descended the other side of the pass into a lush, green valley. The flowers weren't as abundant on this side, but there were still plenty to prevent us from making good time.

There were several river crossings, but at this time of the year none of them were very difficult.

Camp for the night. We took the first spot available. No tree cover, but it had incredible views and less mosquitos.

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