14ers.com

I am going to be spending a week in Snowmass in the middle of August and want to do a little sightseeing while I'm there. I don't want to do any of the Elk's 14ers just yet. Does anyone know of any shorter (~4-5 hr RT) hikes in the area with good views? Thanks!

Buckskin Benchmark - start at the Maroon Lake TH, head up to Buckskin Pass. Swing a right and walk the ridge (It's easier than the route on SummitPost) It's basically a class 1 walkup with a step or 2 of class 2. CoDave has a trip report from our approach to Snowmass Mtn last year. You have incredible views of the Bells, Pyramid, and look straight down onto Snowmass Lake. One of my favorite hikes to date.

Judging by the photos, it looks like a really nice hike. Hopefully the weather is good. Thanks again

Electric Pass Peak near Cathedral Lake/Peak also has a trail almost to it's summit and the valley is gorgeous. You don't have to screw with the shuttle busses in and out of Maroon Lake either.

This last weekend I climbed Geissler Mtn. from the Lost Man Pass TH near Independence Pass. It's an easy 5 mile RT and you could extend it up high if the weather cooperates better for you than it did for me.

Sopris?

You didn't define "near", so I will throw out hanging lake in Glenwood Canyon, probably 45 minutes to an hour, but spectacular. On the way back hit the Glenwood Hot Springs pool.

Tons of hikes out of snowmass. Here are a few non-summit type, and right from or close to Snowmass Village
-Rim Trail-great mtn bike also
-government trail from Snowmass to Aspen, take the free shuttle back
-East Snowmass creek to willow lake
-short drive to Snowmass lake trailhead, then hike up as far as you want towards or all the way to Snowmass lake. You can also access Moon lake via W. Snowmass from this trailhead.

hope this adds a few more to your quiver of hikes

s

Wow, lots of options! Thanks a lot everyone