Lead King Basin is in the Snowmass/Maroon Bells wilderness area, and contains the headwaters of the Crystal River.
It's a great place for day-hikes and backpacking trips. We camped near Arkansas Mountain, and could see for miles in nearly all directions. The back of the Maroon Bells were to our east, while the snow-capped mountains to our south made a great backdrop for some of my photos.
The trails still have quite a bit of snow on them, especially above 10,000 feet and in shaded or north-facing areas. The biggest challenges to hiking the backcountry this time of year are the stream crossings. The water is high and fast - and very cold.
It's a great place for day-hikes and backpacking trips. We camped near Arkansas Mountain, and could see for miles in nearly all directions. The back of the Maroon Bells were to our east, while the snow-capped mountains to our south made a great backdrop for some of my photos.
The trails still have quite a bit of snow on them, especially above 10,000 feet and in shaded or north-facing areas. The biggest challenges to hiking the backcountry this time of year are the stream crossings. The water is high and fast - and very cold.
