What is the best direction and daily itinerary for a Four Pass Loop permit trip?

Go clockwise, like most parties, and give it 3 to 4 days. Clockwise from Maroon Lake saves Buckskin Pass for the final morning, which delivers the most iconic view of the Maroon Bells as a finale, and it puts the West Maroon wildflower valley early in the trip when legs are fresh.

The shape of the loop: 27 miles with about 8,500 feet of cumulative gain, crossing West Maroon (12,500 ft), Frigid Air (12,415 ft), Trail Rider (12,420 ft), and Buckskin (12,500 ft). A classic 3-night clockwise plan camps in the Maroon zone or over West Maroon the first night, Fravert Basin the second, and Snowmass Lake the third, leaving one pass per day after the doubled-up West Maroon/Frigid Air day.

The non-negotiable scheduling rule is lightning. Afternoon thunderstorms are nearly guaranteed in summer, so plan to be over each pass by noon and below treeline by early afternoon. That means alpine starts, not casual mornings.

Camp strategy: Snowmass Lake is the most popular zone and sites go early in the afternoon, so arrive with time to spare. Fravert Basin, with its 400-foot waterfall, offers the most solitude. Late July is peak wildflowers, August is steadier weather, and before late July expect lingering snow that can warrant microspikes on the passes.