Aspen, CO – Waterfalls, Wildlife, & Views
At this stop we’ll hike to some waterfalls, view wildlife, drive up a few mountains for some incredible views, and explore local towns. We’ll also finish the Aspen to Basalt portion of the Rio Grande bike trail.
Difficult Campground
Located just southeast of Aspen, this primitive campground offers large, private sites with easy access to hiking and bike trails with a strong potential for wildlife encounters.
Cinnamon Black Bear
As we’re pulling into our campsite, one of the neighbor’s kids run over to tell us that a family (mama & 2 cubs) of bears has just run through the campground. A little later the camp host comes to introduce himself and tells us that it’s a cinnamon black bear and her two cubs have been hanging around the campground for the past few weeks.
We didn’t see them but we did see this incredible fellow about 1/4 mile along the campground road one morning.
Campground Views
Random views from our walks around the campground during our visit as well as a nighttime visitor caught on camera.
Scenic Drive to the Continental Divide at Independence Pass
Based on the weather, smoke forecast, and the special events happening in Aspen this weekend, we choose to take the scenic drive up to Independence Pass for our first day exploring the area. Along the way, we’ll stop at a few locations for some short hikes, explore an old Ghost Town, take a few pictures of wildlife, and experience some epic views.
Roaring Fork River Overlook
Devil’s Punchbowl
We see this on the map and given the name had to stop to see what it is. I’m so glad we did. It’s a small parking lot with a very short trail to one of the local swimming holes. There are even a few small waterfalls and some rapids along the Roaring Fork River.
Judging by how quickly the kids were exiting the water after jumping in, it must have been very cold. Regardless, more and more people were showing up as we explored the area and by the time we left the small parking lot was overflowing. As we leave, we see cars in every nook and cranny along the road with people walking toward the Punchbowl.
Grottos Day Use Area
Cascades View Trail
Before beginning the main trail, we take small detour down the Cascades View Trail. This smooth and easy trail follows along the Roaring Fork River until reaching the pool at the bottom of the Cascades.
If you want to see and hear the Cascades for yourself, click here to be taken to our YouTube channel.
We’ll now backtrack and head toward the main and most popular trail here… The Grotto’s Trail.
The Grotto’s Trail
Rated as one the best trails in the area, this spot offers views of cascades and the opportunity to climb down into and ice cave.
Ice Caves
The trail is well marked and it’s a breeze to get to the entrance of the ice caves. However, getting into them in another story. It’s a very steep climb to get down into the cave requiring strength and flexibility. Two of us go in while the other stays up top.
We don’t find any ice in the caves but the temperature is significantly cooler.
New York Peak
After leaving the Ice Cave we head further down the trail and come to a point where we have an incredible view of New York Peak.
Cascades (from top and side)
Continuing along the trail, we reach the top of the Cascades and then follow the trail down the side, getting up close views of each fall along the way.
Here’s a link to the video from this spot.
Wildlife along the Road
Shortly leaving The Grottos we see a moose cow and calf along the side of the road. As soon as we find a place to safely pull over, we park and walk back to take a view pictures.
Roaring Fork Marshlands near Green Mountain
Independence Ghost Town
An old mining town along the original stage coach route that at one time had over 1,000 residents. Those residents quickly picked up and moved south when the mine closed and the railroad through Aspen made the state route obsolete.
Linkins Lake Trailhead Parking
We didn’t actually stop here but we did stop just before and just after it.
Continental Divide at Independence Pass
Once we reach the top, there’s a good wind and it’s quite cool. But at an elevation over 12,000 feet (3,658 meters) cooler temperatures are expected. The views are definitely worth the slight discomfort.
North Fork Lake Creek Trailhead
Just beyond Independence Pass, we see the North Fork Lake Creek Trailhead. It appears to provide views down two different valleys/gulches so we drive a little down the road on the other side of the pass to take a look and I’m so glad we did. The views are amazing!
What an amazing day!
Rio Grande Trail (Continued)
Today we’ll finish the northern end of the Rio Grande Trail by going from Aspen to Basalt. We did the Carbondale to Basalt section a few weeks ago (Exploring Glenwood Springs to Basalt, CO). We can actually begin the ride directly from the campground by adding the Extended East Aspen Trail which starts just outside the campground road.
East Aspen Trail
This trail is smooth gravel and fairly narrow but it’s an easy ride to Aspen and takes us along some really incredible animal habitats and across quaint trestle bridges providing beautiful river views.
Rio Grande Trail
We join the Rio Grande Trail at Heron Park in Aspen which is very busy on this beautiful Sunday morning. There are people out enjoying the weather everywhere and most aren’t paying attention to what or who is around them. So, after being very patient and narrowly avoiding a few collisions, we’re on smooth open trail to Basalt. Unlike the Carbondale to Aspen section which was paved this one is well groomed gravel until we’re well out of Aspen.
The ride to Basalt and back provided some incredible scenic views as well as a few wildlife encounters. Ironically, we pass our turn around point from a few weeks ago at about the same time and we see the Golden Eagle soaring overhead again. It must have a nest nearby but we couldn’t see it.
Unique Residences
Along the path we also pass two old train cars that have been converted into private residences. One is a Pullman and the other belonged to Anita May Baldwin (1876–1939), a playwright and cookbook author.
Wildlife
What an incredible trail!
Snowmass Village
Today we’re exploring Snowmass Village‘s hiking trails, bike trails, gondolas, chair lifts, restaurants, and views of Maroon Bells.
Village Bound, Sleigh Ride, and Nature Trail Loop
After finding parking near the trailhead, we head out on the Village Bound, Sleigh Ride, and Nature Trail Loop. Ranked as one of the top trails in the area, we have high expectations for this trail. We decide to go clockwise which takes us through the mall area, straight up a gravel road (300 ft of elevation), and around some buildings where we then see a “Construction – Road Closed” sign. This is not looking good and we’re contemplating turning around and just going back when we see a lady and two dogs coming down from an alternate route around the closure. So, we press on around the closure and join a bike trail (2-track dirt) through the woods. It’s getting better but still not what we we’re expecting. As we reach the end of this section, we find the turnoff to the nature trail which is finally the usual trail through the woods. Just as we’re starting to relax and enjoy nature, we hear a loud truck go by and realize we’re very close to a main road. Who puts a nature trail next to a busy road? Needless to say, we’re not impressed! Here’s the two pictures I took along this route.
Elk Camp Gondola
After the hike we head into the village, purchase our Elk Camp Gondola tickets, and head up the mountain for lunch taking pictures along the way.
Elk Camp Restaurant
At the top of the gondola, we head into the Elk Camp Restaurant for lunch. This is a market style restaurant where you pick out what you want and then pay for it. For being at the top of a mountain the food was really good and they had a descent selection including freshly made New York style pizza, grilled burgers and dogs, soups, a salad bar, etc.
We choose a table that provides a view of the coaster, climbing wall, and bike trails so we have some entertainment with our meal.
Elk Camp Chairlift
After lunch we head up the Elk Camp Chairlift another ~1500 ft to see the Maroon Bells. On the way up we get a really good view west and a sneak peak of what the Elk Mountains has to offer.
Maroon Vista
Just after exiting the lift at top of the mountain, we see Maroon Vista which provides an incredible place to see all the mountains and even provides an information board identifying them.
Two of the most prominent peaks in the Elk Mountains: Maroon Peak (14,163 ft) and North Maroon Peak (14,019 ft) are some of the most photographed mountains in North America due to their distinctive bell-shaped peaks and dark red coloring. We can only see the peaks from a distance here but their cousins are on full display.
As you can see from the dark clouds, rain is threatening and it in fact does begin to rain as we’re taking these pictures. We take shelter at the side of the lift building only to have the operators tell us that if they see lightening the lift will immediately shut down and we’ll either be stuck up here or have to walk down. Which we interpret as a nice way of saying… “get your pictures and get your butts back on the lift.” So, we quickly go in front of the lift for a picture north toward Snowmass Village before taking his advice and heading down the mountain.
We do get a little damp as we begin the descent but our jackets keep most of the wet out and it doesn’t stop us from taking pictures.
It’s a very cold rain but it stops about 2/3 of the way down the mountain and we quickly dry out before we get on the gondola to finish our trip down the mountain.
Views northwest heading down in the Gondola
Walking Snowmass Village
After exiting the gondola, we spend a little time walking around Snowmass Village looking at all the different shops, restaurants, and outdoor entertainment items (lawn bowling, chess, jungle gyms with slides, etc.).
We eventually end up at Sundae for an afternoon snack before heading home. Yum!
Lower Hunter Creek Trail
Our final excursion in the area is to hike Lower Hunter Creek trail on the northeast side of Aspen. This is another highly rated trail but after yesterday’s experience we’re not expecting much.
It’s a good thing because the touted water features are missing (not surprising given the lack of rain) and the trail is so rocky and difficult to traverse for our older family member that two of us stayed at the top while the third went down the trail and drove the Jeep up the hill to pick us up.
To watch the Mule Deer crossing Hunter Creek click here.
Staying at the top actually worked out very well because if this hadn’t happened, we would have missed this lovely waterfall, view, and a cinnamon black bear sitting in a tree eating berries.
I’ll chalk this one up to… everything happens for a reason. For your viewing pleasure you can watch video of the Cinnamon Black Bear in the tree with this link.
Aspen, CO
After the hike we head down into Aspen for lunch at 520 Grill across from the Rio Grande Park and John Denver Sanctuary. The food is fantastic and the service is quick and friendly.
Then we take a relaxing stroll around both the park and the sanctuary enjoying the peaceful atmosphere.
After our walk we head into downtown Aspen for dessert/afternoon snack at Paradise Bakery & Cafe. We all get a scoop of gelato which came with a mini cookie on top. I have to say this place lives up to its reputation. It is fantastic!
After people watching while enjoying our treat, we decide to take a walk through downtown. There are many pedestrian only streets here with very unique shops, some of which have courtyards. In one of them, we find this incredible display of art.
Aspen in a nutshell… Amazing wildlife, incredible views, great multi-use trails, and underwhelming hiking.
Next stop… Dodging Rain around Steamboat Springs
