Maroon Bells

My favorite hike was up to Willow Pass. You begin at Maroon Lake, which is very picturesque to begin with, and hike through Aspen dominated woods to Crater Lake, which is similar to Maroon Lake but even more impressive because it is closer to the mountains. You then climb through the forest, with occasional clearings offering spectacular views of the mountains. Once you get above the tree line, you hike through scrub land and cross a little stream at one point. Eventually, you leave all vegetation behind. This is where it gets hard, as the air is so thin. You have to climb up switchbacks to the top of the pass. I had to stop to catch my breath every dozen steps or so. But, when you make it to the top, the view is completely worth the effort. You can see the valley you hiked up stretching out before you on one side, and a wide, expansive plain with a small, intensely blue lake lying ahead. Many people continue on to the lake and camp there, but I needed to head back so I returned the way I came. Round trip was about seven hours, and I missed the last bus back to Aspen and had to get a ride from a nice family from Pennsylvania.

 It's best to stay in Aspen if you are visiting the Maroon Bells. Buses run daily from Aspen to the Maroon Bells and back. Aspen is a lovely, walk-able town with many excellent restaurants. It may have a reputation for being pricey, but there is a hostel there that provides more affordable accommodations (they also have a piano there, which is nice if you play). In the summer, Aspen also hosts one of the biggest classical music festivals in the US, which includes a number of free concerts from very talented student musicians. 

I recommend visiting in the summer. I went in August and the weather was perfect - even a little chilly as night. It was a nice change from my native Houston!