The Crested Butte to Aspen Traverse

One popular hike (I hate popular hikes, and prefer to seek solitude in the backcountry, but my buddy loves things that are popular) is the traverse between Crested Butte and Aspen (or vice versa).  It actually goes from Schofield Pass to Maroon Lake, and much of it is part of the popular (there's that word again) Four Pass Loop.

The scenery and views are one major reason this hike is favored by so many.

Looking northwest from West Maroon Pass

Looking east from West Maroon Pass

Yule Creek

No matter how many photos I share of this place, it never gets spoiled.  Even last week, when there were a half dozen cars at the trailhead, we saw only one person on the trail (the trailhead serves two trails, and many take the less scenic one, for reasons that elude me).

a big ass panorama that you have to click to appreciate

old steam engine on the trail

May rains mean amazing June flowers

.....and deep lakes.

Our hike to Thomas Lakes was fantastic because of the wealth of wildflowers on the trail.  Then we reached the eastern lake and found it holding more water than I had ever seen.  Just a couple of years ago, it was about five feet lower.

This was the first time I remember seeing all-white columbines.