East Maroon Pass is located 9.7 miles from East Maroon Portal in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. This long but moderate trail follows East Maroon Creek to its origin just below the pass, and continues down the west side into Copper Basin and on to Gothic near Crested Butte. A popular backpacking loop runs from East Maroon Pass to Copper Basin, up to Triangle Pass and down Conundrum Creek Valley.

The East Maroon Creek Trail follows an old route built in the 1880s to carry ore through the Elk Mountains to smelter in Gothic

Aspen groves containing hundreds of trees can originate from a single clonal parent

Pyramid Peak (14,018') tops the west valley wall, along with at least five peaks over 13,500'

Copper Lake (11,321') is located .95 miles from East Maroon Pass on the Crested Butte side

Long, level intervals are ideal for runners, and making quick time into the upper valley

East Maroon Pass spans a small saddle below Precarious Peak (13,360')

Wild raspberries, a member of the rose family, are often found growing in open, rocky slopes at mid-high elevations

Wild strawberries (Fragaria vesca) are a common 'creeping' plant found in open woodlands

Thimbleberries (Rubus parviflorus) are abundant along the first 3 miles of East Maroon Creek Trail, particularly in aspen groves and damp areas

The last 1.5 miles pass through a high, thin forest with good camping terrain and room to explore

Stratified sedimentary rock of the Permian age distinguishes colorful peaks of the Maroon Bells - Snowmass Wilderness

Alpine meadows between East Maroon Pass and Copper Pass provide ideal habitat for elk and goats

Though the East Maroon Pass route to Crested Butte is about 5 miles longer than the West Maroon Pass route, it's considered the easiest and most direct (ending only 7 miles from town)

Willow mats and alpine meadows above the split for East Maroon Pass and Copper Pass

The final approach follows the old wagon road on a ramp-like path etched in the west valley wall to East Maroon Pass