How to Get a Four Pass Loop Permit
Cross four 12,000+ foot passes in 28 miles through Colorado's most photogenic wilderness, where the Maroon Bells and Snowmass Peak frame every vista.
Check Availability$12/person/night
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About Four Pass Loop
The Four Pass Loop is a 28-mile circuit in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness crossing four passes above 12,000 feet. The route circles the Maroon Bells and Snowmass Peak through some of Colorado's most iconic alpine terrain. Overnight permits are required and competition is fierce for summer dates.
The Four Pass Loop is consistently rated among America's top 5 backpacking routes. It crosses West Maroon Pass (12,490'), Frigid Air Pass (12,380'), Trail Rider Pass (12,420'), and Buckskin Pass (12,462') in a single circuit. The permit lottery fills fast because everyone wants this one.
The Experience
You climb above treeline and stay there for hours. Each pass reveals a new valley, a new set of peaks, a new color palette. The Maroon Bells glow red at sunset. Snowmass Lake mirrors the massive peak above it. Wildflower meadows explode in July. You feel genuinely remote despite being 10 miles from Aspen.
The classic counterclockwise route starts at Maroon Lake, climbing immediately to Buckskin Pass with the Maroon Bells behind you. The trail drops into the Snowmass Creek drainage, passes Snowmass Lake, and climbs to Trail Rider Pass.
From there you descend to Fravert Basin, climb to Frigid Air Pass, and drop into West Maroon Creek. The final climb takes you over West Maroon Pass and back down to Maroon Lake. Most people take 3-4 days, camping at Crater Lake, Snowmass Lake, or the basins below the passes.
What to Expect
28 miles with 8,000+ feet total elevation gain
4 passes above 12,000 feet (highest: Buckskin at 12,462')
Alpine lakes at Crater Lake, Snowmass Lake, and Geneva Lake
No water above treeline on pass climbs
Afternoon thunderstorms almost daily in July-August
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Permit Requirements
Overnight permit required (lottery opens in spring)
Bear canisters required (no exceptions)
Camp only in designated zones
No camping within 100 feet of lakes or streams
Group size maximum 15 people
Gear & Preparation
Required Gear
- •Bear canister (required, not just recommended)
- •Rain gear and warm layers for passes
- •Trekking poles for steep descents
- •3+ liters water capacity for pass crossings
Hazards & Safety
Afternoon lightning above treeline (summit passes before noon)
Snow on passes through mid-July most years
Hypothermia risk in sudden storms even in summer
Best Time to Visit
Mid-July through mid-September. Snow blocks passes before mid-July. Fall colors peak late September but nights are cold. August has the most stable weather but also the most crowds.
100+ wilderness permits, extensive backcountry experience
This guide is based on personal experience obtaining wilderness permits and is regularly updated to reflect current policies and strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a Four Pass Loop permit?
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Four Pass Loop permits require advance reservations. Book online as soon as reservations open for your desired dates.
When is the best time to visit Four Pass Loop?
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Mid-July through mid-September. Snow blocks passes before mid-July. Fall colors peak late September but nights are cold. August has the most stable weather but also the most crowds.
How difficult is Four Pass Loop?
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Fit hikers comfortable with significant elevation gain and high-altitude travel.
What gear do I need for Four Pass Loop?
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Essential gear includes: Bear canister (required, not just recommended), Rain gear and warm layers for passes, Trekking poles for steep descents, 3+ liters water capacity for pass crossings.
Don't Miss Your Four Pass Loop Permit
Cancellations happen every day. PermitSnag monitors Four Pass Loop availability 24/7 and alerts you the moment a spot opens up.
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