Two peaks, one lake, and a town that knows it
Aspen, Colorado · 3 nights · June–September · up to 6
The Maroon Bells are the most photographed mountains in North America, and the road to them is closed to private cars for most of the day in season — which is the best thing about them. You take the shuttle, you ride in, or you walk. Aspen itself is four blocks of very good restaurants and a hotel that opened in 1889. Late September is the week the aspens turn and everybody knows it; the first week of June is nearly as good and nearly empty.
The ending
Two symmetrical peaks standing at the head of a valley behind a shallow lake that holds the whole of them, with the summits lit while the valley floor is still dark.
That is Maroon Bells, White River National Forest. See how private it is and when it’s open, or build the rest of the trip around it.
Do
- Maroon Bells Hike
- Maroon Bells horseback ride (T-Lazy-7 Ranch)
- Aspen Fly Fishing (Taylor Creek)
- The Limelight Hotel Spa
Eat
- Bosq
- White House Tavern
Stay
- Hotel Jerome
- The Limelight Hotel
Can we drive up?
Not during the day in season. The road is shuttle-only, which is exactly why the lake is not lined with cars. Book the shuttle and treat the ride in as part of it.
September or June?
September for the aspens and the crowd that comes with them. June for the same mountains and a fraction of the people.