Maroon Bells: Colorado's Most Photographed Mountains

The twin peaks of the Maroon Bells are claimed to be the most photographed mountains in Colorado. The South Maroon Peak and the North Maroon Peak are separated by a third of a mile and are located in the Elk Mountains. The Maroon Bells are about 12 miles southwest of Aspen, bordering Pitkin County and Gunnison County.

South Maroon Peak is the 27th highest peak in Colorado, and North Maroon Peak is the 50th. Both reach over 14,000 feet tall. The distinct maroon color of the mountains is due to their composition of metamorphic sedimentary mudstone that hardened over millions of years. Most mountains are made of granite and limestone, and this mudstone is soft in comparison and crumbles easily. The Maroon Bells can be dangerous as a result, and are prone to loose and falling rocks at any given time.

The Maroon Lake is a beautiful lake surrounded by a field of wildflowers that mirrors the images of the peaks. This picturesque lake was formed by glaciers during the Ice Age and then dammed by landslide and rock debris.

You can safely tour the Maroon Bells during the spring and summer. The Maroon Bells Stables offers horseback riding tours and are now accepting early reservations for Memorial Day excursions.

For more adventurous and skilled skiers, ski mounaineering is a popular activity on the Maroon Bells. This involves hiking up the mountain with skiis on your back and then skiing back down the mountain.

For those of you staying at the Ritz Carlton Aspen Highlands Residence Club this spring, we recommend touring the Maroon Bells and Maroon Lake!