Aspen, CO
Weekend getaway in Aspen, CO
July 6-8, 2020
Aspen was a planned weekend trip with no plan in place for what we were going to do and see. Most people think of Aspen Colorado during the winter when there is snow on the ground. Aspen might be known for its extravagant ski slopes and lodges during the winter, but they also have great hiking and summertime views when it is not snowing.
Fun Facts
Cost: Depends on what you want to do. (noted below for each activity)
Elevation: 8,000 Feet
View: Aspen Mountain, Maroon Bells, Continental Divide
Temperature: High 60’s to Mid 80’s
Don’t Miss: Snowmass Ski area, Downtown Aspen, Maroon Bells, Continental Divide, Ghost town, Crater Lake
Note: Aspen can be a bit pricey (it is Aspen of course), we stayed in Basalt which was only 30 min away
Day 1:
We arrived in Aspen later in the day and figured there was little sunshine left to play with, so we stopped in Ashcroft Ghost Town. Before visiting the area, we drove down the road for some insane views of Star Peak and Taylor Peak as well as fields of wildflowers.
Even saw a fox hunting on the side of the road.
When we visited Ashcroft, it was free (there was a sign for a $5 entry fee when they are open outside of COVID 19). There were zero people there, so we had the whole place to wander around. We did get a weird feeling mid-way through viewing the vacant buildings that there might be large animals around and didn’t stay too long. You can walk through most old buildings, but other buildings have doors on them that are locked.
Day 2:
On the second day of being in Aspen, we reserved spots to go to Maroon Bells. Before we hopped on the bus, we drove Independence Pass to see the Continental Divide. Independence Pass was one of those roads you don't forget with many waterfalls, steep cliffs, one-lane roads, and runs along a crystal clear river.
The Continental Divide in Aspen was very different than the rest of Aspen. There were very little trees and small lakes lining the road. There was a path to a lookout and flowers that ran alongside the path. The area is also dog friendly.
Our reservation for Maroon Bells was for 1:00pm, and we were told to meet in Snowmass to catch the bus that would take us to the lake. Shuttle prices are $15.95 a person for a round trip ticket. You could also drive this road and park at the trailhead, but it does get busy, and parking is limited. Once you are dropped off, you walk a short path to the greenest/bluest lake I have ever seen. The lake is very shallow, allowing you to see rocks on the bottom, even in the middle.
The bus driver said we may get to see moose in the lake, it was common for five moose to hangout there. Sadly, we didn’t get to see any wildlife while hiking in the area. We were still pretty amazed at how vibrant everything was.
Wildflowers were abundant by the lake, including all purple Columbine, pictured above. Walking to the lake's back, a few trailheads lead off into different directions. Little did we know, we would be hiking to Crater Lake that day. Once we saw the trailhead, there was no stopping.
Miss Monroe hiking to Crater Lake.
Columbine flowers on Crater Lakes green water edge.
Heading back to Maroon Lake, you are surrounded by tall walls of mountains and cliff sides, making you feel so small. You pass through a stretch of an uphill scramble after the treeline before reaching the lake.
Downtown Aspen was very cute!
The Silver Queen Gondola was open and giving rides to the top of Aspen Mountain sundeck for $29 a person.
At the top of Aspen Mountain, there is a restaurant and many outdoor seats to hang out and enjoy the view from the top. There are also many trails that you can take once you reach the top and this area was dog friendly. Overall Aspen was beautiful, but did come with a price tag.