Leah Fielding

Aspen
Displaying results 1 - 25 of 28

  1. Ptarmigan Lake Backpacking

    Aspen

    Ptarmigan Lake is a gorgeous, but difficult to access alpine lake in the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness near Independence Pass in Aspen, Colorado.

  2. Hunter Creek Trail Running

    Aspen

    If you're looking for a trail run that exploits Aspen's natural beauty, Hunter Creek Trail is it. No matter which way you access Hunter Creek Trail, you're in for a long, beautiful alpine valley featuring a pristine creek and aspen groves.

  3. Linkins Lake Trail Hiking

    Aspen

    Linkins Lake is a beautiful high-alpine, above treeline lake that provides view of the peaks in the Independence Pass area. The trailhead is just off of Highway 82 18.5 miles from downtown Aspen on the last major switchback before the road turns to the right and makes a long ascent to the top of the Pass.

  4. Weller Lake Trail Running

    Aspen

    Weller Lake is a forested mountain lake below the treeline that offers a great short run through spruce and aspen trees. It's nice to take a couple hours so you have time at the lake for lunch or a snack, and maybe a dip. The best time to go to Weller Lake, and most everything else in the high mountains around Aspen, is morning. Thunderstorms are common in the afternoon, especially in July and August. High snow years will prevent access to the lake until early June.

  5. Smuggler Mountain Road Running

    Aspen

    This is not your typical road run, in fact it's a dirt road that climbs up the side of Aspen's Smuggler Mountain. Early in the morning, around lunchtime and in the afternoons you'll find local Aspenites running and hiking up Smuggler Mountain. Located on the outskirts of downtown Aspen, Smuggler Mountain is convenient for a quick run.

  6. Lost Man Loop Hiking

    Aspen

    The Lost Man Loop is not a real loop as it connects two trailheads on Highway 82 close to Independence Pass.

  7. New York Creek Hiking

    Aspen

    This 8.4-mile day-hike route crosses multiple creeks including Lincoln Creek, New York Creek and Brooklyn Creek Gulch and can be tricky during high spring runoffs, but expansive high-alpine meadows and stunning views of the Collegiate Peaks make it well worth the effort.

  8. New York Creek Trail Running

    Aspen

    This 8.4-mile out and back route crosses multiple creeks including Lincoln Creek, New York Creek and Brooklyn Creek Gulch and can be tricky during high spring runoffs, but expansive high-alpine meadows and stunning views of the Collegiate Peaks make it well worth the effort. Experienced high-country trail runners will appreciate the 2,160-foot elevation gain, while the less experienced may find the trail a bit strenuous.

  9. Midway Pond Hiking

    Aspen

    If you’re looking to get high in the Rocky Mountains, Midway Pass Trail is a top-of-mind choice. Situated 14 miles from downtown Aspen along Independence Pass, Midway Pass Trail is a lesser traveled eight-mile out and back hike to the 12,120-foot Midway Pass.

  10. Midway Pond Trail Running

    Aspen

    This is a challenging run with classic alpine switchbacks that lead into a beautiful alpine meadow, dotted with wildflowers.

  11. Rio Grande Road Running

    Aspen

    This relatively flat 42-mile trail runs from Aspen U.S. Post Office to Glenwood Springs adjacent to the mighty Roaring Fork River. The trail cuts through riverside aspen groves and open sage bush-dotted meadows that provide snow-capped Rocky Mountain views. You can expect to see waterfalls, fishermen and wildlife.

  12. Sky Mountain Park Mountain Biking

    Aspen

    The newest addition to the Aspen Snowmass single-track menu, Sky Mountain Park, is worthy of all the ongoing acclaim it has received. Purpose-built by local mountain bikers, the trails offer 5.3 continuous two-way riding, three access points and gorgeous views of Snowmass, Independence Pass and Aspen's airport.

  13. Gold Butte Climbing

    Aspen

    A classic, historic climbing crag, southwest facing Gold Butte is climbable year-round. Dozens of routes with original Sixties names like Far Out (5.9). As local lore has it, John Long and Lynn Hill developed some difficult bouldering traverses on the southwest wall.

  14. Grotto Wall Climbing

    Aspen

    Popular due to its smorgasbord of routes and ease of access, the Grotto Wall area off Independence Pass has something for every climber's tastes: steep single and multi-pitch trad, intense sport climbing, and excellent bouldering.

  15. Aspen to Crested Butte Hiking

    Aspen

    One of the most popular hiking trips in Colorado travels between Aspen and the quaint and laid-back Victorian town of Crested Butte. Our suggested route is the generally considered the preferred approach to this classic hike.

  16. Conundrum Hot Springs Backpacking

    Aspen

    A mere 15 minutes from downtown Aspen, in the Maroon Bells Wilderness, Conundrum Creek Trail offers one of the most unique overnight backpacking trips in the country, with stunning mountain scenery and the chance to soak in a natural hot springs pool.

  17. Weller Lake Trail Hiking

    Aspen

    The beauty of many of the hiking and climbing routes situated just off of Highway 82 on Independence Pass is that they’re easy to get to and provide visitors with the opportunities to explore multiple sites and still enjoy downtown Aspen all in one day. Hiking or trail running to Weller Lake is just .5 miles from the trailhead, making it one of the quickest routes on Independence Pass.

  18. Hunter Creek Valley

    Aspen

    Hunter Creek Trail sits along is a beautiful valley corridor that provides access to a variety of great hiking or trail running trails and even an overnight backpacking trip. This gorgeous alpine valley features a babbling tributary, Hunter Creek, which provides a peaceful setting and opportunities for swimming if Fido is along for the trek. The valley is namely a wide-open, treeless meadow book-ended by two parallel ridges riddled with aspen groves.

  19. Smuggler Mountain Road

    Aspen

    The hike up Smuggler Mountain Road is an ultra convenient three-mile round trip with excellent views of downtown Aspen.

  20. Aspen High School

    Aspen

    This 30-minute, three-mile (5 km) loop is a popular section of the Aspen Nordic Center’s free 60 miles of cross-country trails that run through Aspen, Snowmass and Basalt. Located around the Aspen High School and Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club, this challenging black-diamond rated trail offer both classic cross-country (XC) and skate.

  21. Independence Pass Cycling

    Aspen

    For cyclists, Independence Pass/Highway 82 is one of the best and most challenging climbs in Colorado. "Indy' Pass is the 4th highest paved road in the state and it travels through spectacular mountain scenery, including the Elk Mountains and Collegiate Peaks. From downtown Aspen, cyclists will climb 4,200 feet with a max grade of seven percent for 19 miles climb to the summit. Aside from the challenging climb, the biggest challenge while cycling up Independence Pass is the narrow, rough, and shoulder-less road.

  22. Government Trail Mountain Biking

    Aspen

    Providing one of the Roaring Fork Valley’s top single-track experiences, Government runs 6.5 miles from the eastern flanks of Snowmass ski resort to the eastern, or Tiehack, side of Buttermilk ski resort.

  23. Rio Grande Cross-Country Skiing

    Aspen

    In the winter months sections of the trail from Aspen to Basalt are groomed for cross-country skiing. Dogs are allowed on the 7.3-mile stretch of trail from Aspen to Woody Creek, and it’s possible to ski all the way to Emma in Basalt, which is a little more than 12 miles from the Aspen trailhead.

  24. Four Corners Mountain Biking

    Aspen

    If you’re looking for a full-day of mountain biking (or hiking), Smuggler to Four Corners is Aspen’s best option. This profile will explore the route from a mountain biking perspective, but it’s also a great hike for the adventurous-minded. Mountain bikers can choose to stick with the standard 12-mile route or make it as long as 19 miles with several challenging add-ons.

  25. Little Cloud Trail Running

    Aspen

    Offering great views of downtown Aspen and a lovely jaunt through a pine forest and wildflower fields, the Little Cloud Trail is among Aspen's most accessible and shortest trail runs. Little Cloud begins from Midland Trail, a former railroad track that is now used for commuter bikers and walkers. Little Cloud is situated at the base of Shadow Mountain, the rocky, sharp ridgeline that juts out from Aspen Mountain on the western side of town.