Willow Lake - 12.4 Miles Round-Trip

Willow Lake is located 6.2 miles from Maroon Lake in the Maroon Bells - Snowmass Wilderness. It lies just above treeline in a stunning alpine basin east of Willow Pass (12,572').

Trail Map | Photo Gallery

While the lake is exceptional, the hike itself is equally compelling. It follows the Maroon Snowmass Trail with iconic backdrops to the meadows under Buckskin Pass, where the Willow Lake Trail splits for Willow Pass and an airy descent to the lake.

This segment is not connected to most other backpacking routes in the area, and sees lighter traffic. It’s also one of the few over-and-back pass hikes that can be completed in a day, though time management is important with an exposed climb on the return.

Visitors will enjoy open landscapes, light crowds and a chance to explore Willow Creek, one of the longest and least visited drainages in the Maroon Bells - Snowmass Wilderness:

The trail begins on the north side of Maroon Lake to the Scenic Loop split (.3 miles). It rises away into thick aspens that break across an open rock field on the valley floor (1.2 miles : 10,070’).

Pick your way through talus up to a crest and drop to the West Maroon Creek Trail split (1.7 miles : 10,110’). Crater Lake is a quick and worthwhile excursion from this point.

The Maroon Snowmass Trail steepens considerably over Crater Lake and bends NW up Minnehaha Gulch. Enjoy great morning light on the Bells and Sleeping Sexton on this rapid climb.

The trail crosses a rocky stream channel (2.95 miles : 11,030’) to a meadow, then funnels up a shallow gulch that opens in a gorgeous alpine setting (3.45 miles : 11,480). Note camping is not permitted in these meadows. Buckskin Pass is in sight, but Willow Pass is hidden by a ridge.

The trail resumes a steep, sinuous path to the Willow Lake Trail split (3.8 miles : 11,745’), which breaks north on similar terrain with stunning views down valley. Scan these high slopes and meadows for goat, sheep and elk.

It levels briefly on the rim of a large bowl in the upper valley (4.2 miles : 12,075’), crosses a stream and arcs up the bowl’s right side to the base of the pass (4.55 miles : 12,315’).

Here it climbs 257’ in just .15 miles to Willow Pass, a small notch in the craggy walls between drainages (4.7 miles : 12,572’). The pass offers rangy views over the route leading to it, and across Willow Creek basin. Willow Lake and large outlying ponds can also be seen from the pass.

The descent is initially steep, but gradually moderates through high alpine meadows rife with flowers. It drops gently to the East Snowmass Trail split (5.5 miles : 12,005’), a faint point marked by a low-lying sign that can be obscured by snow or brush.

The trail continues on a rolling, narrow-cut path that may lose clarity on the final approach, though the lake’s location is never in question. It laces through krummholz-topped knolls to the north side of Willow Lake (6.2 miles : 11,795’), an expansive area that begs exploration.

Scale the south wall for great aerial views, explore the outer ponds, or continue down valley for a great chance to see wildlife in this seldom-visited drainage.