The 4 Pass Loop runs 26.8 miles through the heart of the Elk Mountains and Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. This challenging trek scales four passes over 12,400' with stunning views and long stretches of open alpine travel. The following gallery tours the loop clockwise, from Maroon Lake to West Maroon Pass, Frigid Air Pass, Trail Rider Pass and Buckskin Pass.

The loop begins at Maroon Lake with iconic views of the Maroon Bells (14,014' and 14,156')

The loop splits left at the West Maroon Creek - Maroon Snowmass Trail junction to Crater Lake, which formed as glaciers retreated and left flat areas in the valley (glacial benching)

Red hues in the rock come from weathering of hematite, an iron-bearing mineral; color variations can be traced to the source sediment and heat at the time of deposition

Looking northwest from West Maroon Pass (6.45 miles : 12,465') down the East Fork drainage

The trail dips and rises from West Maroon Pass with great views down the South Fork drainage en route to Frigid Air Pass

The trail descends Frigid Air Pass into Fravert Basin, one of the loop's most spacious sections with great views of the 'backside' of Maroon Bells

Travel moderates from Frigid Air Pass into Fravert Basin, a lush alpine valley at the head of the North Fork

Travel moderates through long, level meadows along the North Fork, where many campsites are located

The North Fork Cutoff Trail climbs 1100' in just 1.1 miles out of the North Fork valley before moderating into rolling meadows below Trail Rider Pass

A large tarn at 15.4 miles (11,710') provides a nice respite before making the .85 mile, 705' climb to Trail Rider Pass

View from Trail Rider Pass (16.25 miles : 12,415') across alpine meadows and the top of the North Fork valley to the west

Snowmass Lake comes into view from Trail Rider Pass, and remains in sight for the next 2.1 miles

Snowmass Lake is ringed by Snowmass Peak (13,619’), Hagerman Peak (13,841’) and Snowmass Mountain (14,092’)

Snowmass Lake is massive, though only portions of the shoreline are accessible and fires are not permitted in the basin

After steep switchbacks through treeline, the final run to Buckskin Pass gradually moderates across a high alpine ridge

Looking west from Buckskin Pass (22.25 miles : 12,462') at Snowmass Peak, Snowmass Mountain and the Snowmass Lake cirque

Over 100 miles of trail pass through the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness

Descending Buckskin Pass into Minnehaha Gulch, framed by the Maroon Bells and Sleeping Sexton (west), and Pyramid Peak (south)

There are 9 passes over 12,000' in the Maroon Bells - Snowmass Wilderness

Sunflowers are in the genus Helianthus, which comprises the Greek word 'Helios' (sun), and 'Anthos' (flower)

Dusky grouse (formerly known as blue grouse) are the 2nd largest grouse in North America; this female may weigh 2 lbs while males can exceed 3 lbs

Monkshood is from the Genus Aconitum, which contains many (potentially highly) toxic species; these flowers should not be handled (and never eaten!)

Asters' etymology is rooted in the Latin word for 'star'

Undulations over Crater Lake offer good views of the basin and a glimpse up Minnehaha Gulch before veering south up valley

Mule deer eyes are located on the side of their head, offering a 300-310 degree field of vision