Need rec's for hiking in Aspen

**smmokan** · 08-08-2006, 02:02 PM

I'll be in Aspen this weekend and need a good recommendation for hiking on Sunday. I'll have my family with me from out of town, so nothing too strenuous- maybe 5-6 miles with low elevation gain.... but we'd prefer something scenic! Any good options? Thanks!

**Joey Joe Joe Junior Shabadoo** · 08-08-2006, 02:16 PM

American Lake and Cathedral Lake are fun but crowded. The Lost Man Loop is always fun, but slightly longer (7mi?). Grizzly Lake is also a bit longer but fun, although you probably want something with ok clearence to get up Lincoln Creek Road.

**smmokan** · 08-08-2006, 02:18 PM

Originally Posted by Joey Joe Joe Junior Shabadoo

American Lake and Cathedral Lake are fun but crowded. The Lost Man Loop is always fun, but slightly longer (7mi?). Grizzly Lake is also a bit longer but fun, although you probably want something with ok clearence to get up Lincoln Creek Road.

What's this Lost Man Loop? 7 miles is definitely do-able as long as there isn't a ton of climbing.

**Joey Joe Joe Junior Shabadoo** · 08-08-2006, 02:31 PM

The Lost Man Loop can be done in either direction but for the least climbing you can start at the Upper Hairpin Parking(w side of Indy Pass, very last switchback before you reach the top.) Hike up to Independence Lake and then proceed up and over Lost Man Pass. You then hike down to Lost Man Lake and follow the creek down to Lost Man Res and the lower parking area. This loop is usually down with two cars( one at each TH) but you might be able to hitch a ride from one TH to the other when you are done.

**smmokan** · 08-08-2006, 02:45 PM

OK... I just checked it out and it looks like 9 miles... a little too far for the family. Know anything about Difficult Creek or Hunter Creek?

**Below Zero** · 08-08-2006, 02:58 PM

Lloyd Christmas - the king of asking for recommendations!

Damn, it seems like you ask for a recommendation every week!

**smmokan** · 08-08-2006, 03:10 PM

Nothing better to do here at work!

Besides, I find you guys to be a lot more reliable than the people I work with who don't go outside on the weekends.

**Below Zero** · 08-08-2006, 03:23 PM

Originally Posted by Lloyd Christmas

Nothing better to do here at work!

Besides, I find you guys to be a lot more reliable than the people I work with who don't go outside on the weekends.

I agree. Just fucking with you.

**smmokan** · 08-08-2006, 03:27 PM

Yeah, I know... oh well. I'm not going anyways, so nevermind. Thanks for the advice though JJJJ.

**leroy jenkins** · 08-08-2006, 10:06 PM

Hunter creek is great for biking, kinda lame fore hiking. You'll see tons of people, and the scenery isn't all that great. (maybe thats just me though, I don't like to hike on any trail I can bike)

The passes around the Marroon Bells are nice hikes,
Buckskin Pass
East and West Maroon Passes

Also,
Electric Pass
Snowmass Lake
Capitol Lake, or the saddle between capitol and daly, aproached from either the capitol lake side, or the snowmass side
New York Creek
Grizzly Lake
Cathedral Lake
American Lake

Maybe try climbing a peak? Possibly a bit out of your range for the family, but Elbert is actually a fairly easy climb.

If you're just looking for some excercise, Aspen Mountain can be super convienient because if you hike up they will let you ride down on the Gondola for free. Kinda nice.

Out of all of that, I'd probably suggest Cathedral lake the most. Great scenery, long enought o family will be feeling it, but no sufferfest, and if everyones feeling strong, theres the option to continue up to Electric pass.