4/25/2026 Posted On: 4/26/2026 By: WillRobnett Info: Winter Gate remains in effect, however Maroon Creek Road is clear of snow and seeing quite a few visitors. Beyond Maroon Lake, Crater Lake Trail is holding a few feet of snow. Maroon Bells Season Pass, which includes E-Bikes entrance fee during high season, can be purchased at: https://www.visitmaroonbells.com/ Forest Service 2026 press release for E-Bike access to Maroon Lake: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/whiteriver/newsroom/releases/new-e-bike-fees-place-year-maroon-bells | 3 |
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4/11/2026 Posted On: 4/13/2026 By: WillRobnett Info: Maroon Creek Road is largely clear of snow, with only one remaining stretch—approximately 2 inches deep over about 30 feet—located just before the main summer parking area. In town, aspen leaves are already beginning to emerge, and a noticeable wave of green is moving up Maroon Creek Road. Conditions are starting to change at the Maroon Bells Welcome Station as well. The Winter Gate remains in effect; however, bicycles, e‑bikes, hikers, trail runners are still able to travel up the road. Over the weekend, I made it a short distance up the Crater Lake Trail, where snow coverage became continuous just before the Pyramid Amphitheater turnoff. I also checked out the Scenic Loop Trail and reached the second bridge before slushy snow took over. Overnight temperatures in the valley stayed above freezing, so none of the snow accumulated Saturday—except at highest elevations in the basin. | 1 |
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3/28/2026 Posted On: 3/30/2026 By: WillRobnett Info: I’m happy to share a quick positive update on the conditions at Maroon Lake and along Maroon Creek Road. As of Saturday morning, the road is completely clear of snow to the first overflow parking area, with only a few intermittent patches remaining as you continue toward the lake. Any lingering snow is minimal—just a few inches—and continuing to melt quickly for regular E-Bikes to make it all the way up there. The entire basin already coming alive with early signs of spring. Wildlife activity is well underway, with fox, geese, and a quite few birds making welcome appearances around the lake. Please note that the vehicle winter gate remains in effect at this time so the lake is still quite a few miles up the road. Adding a few photos from early Saturday morning—as summer is approaching quickly, and our amazing landscape is awakening from a short winter. | 3 |
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3/14/2026 Posted On: 3/15/2026 By: WillRobnett Info: Maroon Creek Road still clear of snow to the ranch, and lower winter parking area showing a lot more signs of spring’s early arrival. As you approach the Forest Service entrance, a few patches of pavement are beginning to emerge, hinting at the season’s quick progression. Beyond that, hardpack becomes more consistent however it's incredibly low for mid-March. Even around the summer parking areas it's roughly one foot deep and consolidated into firm, icy hardpack that softens in daytime sun and refreezes each night. Maroon Lake snowpack is about two feet deep, and the same freeze/thaw rhythm continues. Overall, it’s a beautiful time to be out there as the mountains are quietly shifting seasons and each day brings a little more light, a little more warmth, and renewed sense summer ahead. | 2 |
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2/28/2026 Posted On: 3/3/2026 By: WillRobnett Info: E-biked up the road for a quick view of the bells and snowshoed East Portal watching sunrise on Pyramid. Freeze/thaw is getting ahold of the snowpack by the road already. 18 degrees on consolidated snow was excellent for floatation! | 3 |
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2/7/2026 Posted On: 2/11/2026 By: WillRobnett Info: Maroon Creek Road has consistent snow coverage from the lower winter parking going all the way up to the lake. | 3 |
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2/1/2026 Posted On: 2/7/2026 By: WillRobnett Info: Maroon Creek Rd fully clear up to Aspen Highlands. There's a little hardpack further down the road at the bridge crossing over Maroon Creek. Hardpack consistently filled in at T-Lazy-7 Ranch which is great for studded winter fat tires on the E-Bike. Aspen Highlands also has pretty good snow coverage at the bike path. Photos heading back in the early morning. | 3 |
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11/18/2025 Posted On: 11/19/2025 By: WillRobnett Info: Maroon Creek Road is clear of snow up to the Winter Gate. Recent snowfall is creating a few icy spots on the road in early morning. Independence Pass closed on 11/15. | 2 |
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11/7/2025 Posted On: 11/7/2025 By: WillRobnett Info: Winter Gate closure is Monday November 10th. | ||||
10/25/2025 Posted On: 10/27/2025 By: WillRobnett Info: Winter Gate still open, few more days until seasonal closure. | 2 |
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10/19/2025 Posted On: 10/20/2025 By: WillRobnett Info: Shuttle busses from Aspen Highlands finished regular season today according to visitmaroonbells.com. Winter gate is open and Maroon Lake TH parking permits are still open until the end of the month, however that may depend on good weather and currently no multi-day snow storms in the 10 day forecast. At 14k the Maroon Bells already have a first winter coat. Leaves have fallen at the lake and no ice around the lake right now. Town of Aspen still has a bit of fall colors and Independence Pass is still open. Less crowds in town right now. | 2 |
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10/11/2025 Posted On: 10/12/2025 By: WillRobnett Info: Buses running, regular permits, and fall colors still going strong!! Rained Saturday, SNOWED this morning! | ||||
10/4/2025 Posted On: 10/5/2025 By: WillRobnett Info: Peak Fall Colors! Though I usually e-bike from town, the Maroon Lake TH parking and shuttle service was open this weekend. Bathrooms also still in service and maintained. | 1 |
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8/9/2025 Posted On: 8/10/2025 By: madmattd Info: NOTE: They are cracking down on those trying to sneak into the lots without parking reservations. 2 days before my midnight-midnight reservation slot, I received the following: "This is an important update regarding your Maroon Bells parking reservation. If you arrive before 7:00 AM or after 6:00 PM you will need to be prepared to leave your reservation information on the dash of your car. You can either have your reservation email printed out, or write your reservation number on a sheet of paper, and leave it on your dashboard. All other visitors will need to be prepared to show their reservation on arrival when they check in at the ranger station. There is no cell service or Wi-Fi available, so be sure your reservation is saved to your phone." The booth WAS staffed at 4:40am. I talked briefly to the ranger there and their comment was "we're trying to keep people on their toes". In talking to them, it sounded like people sneaking without a reservation before staffing hours and staying the day was becoming a problem (ie Operation Dark Bells) and they are now cracking down. There was also an implication that they are checking the cars in the lots for proper reservations. I had my reservation printed as we were entering well before 7am (as is typical for Pyramid/Bells climbs), and they just scanned it, gave me a hang tag, and off we went. | 1 |
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5/24/2025 Posted On: 6/3/2025 By: ckee43 Info: ice/snow covering trail all they way to about 12,800. not a good time for a hike to summit |
