The twin pyramidal peaks of North Maroon Peak (4,273 m) and Maroon Peak (4,317 m) rise above Maroon Lake about 16 km west of Aspen, in the Maroon Bells–Snowmass Wilderness. The view across the lake to the peaks — with the rust-red Mancos shale, the bristlecone pines, and the reflection on calm mornings — is one of the most photographed mountain scenes in North America. In late September the surrounding aspen groves turn brilliant gold.
Access in summer (mid-May to late October) is by reservation-only shuttle from the Aspen Highlands base. Private cars are banned during the day. The Maroon Lake Scenic Trail is a flat one-mile loop along the lakeshore; the longer hikes — Crater Lake, West Maroon Pass, the Four Pass Loop — start from the same trailhead. In winter the road is closed at T-Lazy-7 Ranch and you snowshoe or ski in from there. Sunrise on a clear morning, with the peaks lit pink, is the experience to time for.