Best Hiking in Central Colorado around Aspen, Marble, Leadville, Buena Vista and Crested Butte

Revised and Expanded in 2023! This opinionated guide showcases the best hikes in one of Colorado's premier hiking areas, the Sawatch and Elk Mountains around the towns of Aspen, Buena Vista, Crested Butte, Marble and Leadville. The Sawatch and Elk Mountain ranges offer the quintessential Rocky Mountain hiking experience with the trails that take you above timberline to beautiful mountain lakes nestled in dramatic cirques, to passes with see forever views and to glorious alpine meadows filled with wildflowers. Three national forests and six wilderness areas protect this amazing landscape. Over 200 peaks rise above 13,000-ft. with 20 of the summits topping 14,000-ft.The trails in this guide, best hiked between mid-July and mid-September, appeal to hikers who like to go high and hike 6 to 12 miles a day. Trails gain between 900- to 3,500-ft in elevation. Many of the trails offer great intermediate turnaround points for those seeking shorter hikes. All are reached in less than an hour drive from five great base camps; Aspen, Buena Vista, Crested Butte, Marble and Leadville. The Guide includes: - An overview of each base camp identifying local services, highlighting nearby attractions and suggesting activities for non-hiking/rainy days.- Comprehensive trail descriptions with photos, ratings, elevation profiles an maps- Easy to follow directions to each hike- Hiking tips for staying healthy and safe in the backcountry