TAKE A HIKE

Words + Photos by Melanie Wiseman

High in the lush Gunnison National Forest lies a hidden treasure famous for its fall foliage and magnificent views of the West Elk Mountains. Three Lakes Loop Trail, commonly known simply as Lost Lake Trail, is nestled in what is purportedly one of the world’s largest aspen groves. The aspen colony has been tested and found to grow from a single root system, and therefore is a single living organism.

The Three Lakes Loop Trail hiker is the beneficiary of this natural phenomenon, with shimmering orange and gold views around every bend. This stunning trail is well worth the trip to its remote location.

Traveling to the trail is nearly as enchanting as the trail itself. Enjoy poking around Crested Butte or Paonia — mountain towns with their own unique personalities that bookend your trip up Kebler Pass. Part of the West Elk Loop National Scenic Byway, the pass is a windy, well maintained dirt road with easy grades for all vehicles, through romantic valleys, towering peaks and alpine terrain.

At the midway point from either direction of 33-mile-long Kebler Pass (County Road 12), an intersection and signage direct travelers two miles to the Lost Lake Campground. Use the large parking area to the right of the campground where there are restrooms, water, and the west end trailhead. The trail begins at 9,600-foot elevation, is well marked, has a good tread way and an average eight percent slope. The trail is now yours. It can be done in 1.5 hours, or preferably at a leisurely pace allowing for countless photo opportunities and “wow” moments.

Starting at the west end trailhead will lead you in the popular counter clockwise direction of this 3.5-mile moderate loop. Aspen start to appear as you hike the gentle ascent to Lost Lake, the first of the three scenic lakes you’ll encounter. There are plenty of spots to enjoy the

lake view or hike the trail around Lost Lake to add a mile to your adventure.

Just after Lost Lake you’ll hear a mighty roar and take a short detour to a picturesque waterfall. Back on the main trail, enjoy a grand vista of Ruby Range peaks and Marcellina Mountain. Continue on as you wind through the quaking aspen to an intersection descending to serene Dollar Lake — the perfect spot to relax and have a picnic lunch. There’s just something about Dollar Lake, its rugged backdrop and meditative atmosphere, which makes it difficult for hikers to tear themselves away.

Hike back up the Dollar Lake spur and turn right at the main trail intersection switch backing through the aspen forest, giving you glimpses of Lost Lake Slough, the largest of the three lakes. The trail eventually turns into a road down the middle of Lost Lake Campground, leading you back to the parking area.

The Three Lakes Loop area is popular for its many outdoor experience options. Free dispersed camping is easy to find, in addition to the campground. Wet your fishing line at any of the three lakes to catch rainbow and brook trout. Between wildlife viewing, wildflower meadows, rugged mountain peaks, aspen, fir and spruce forests, this is a photographer’s paradise. Horses and dogs are allowed on the trail, but no motorized vehicles in this peaceful setting.

Three Lakes Loop Trail can be enjoyed June through October. For premiere fall colors, late September/early October is the prime time to immerse yourself in this magical Western Colorado setting. :

TAMARA SUSA, COURTESY OF SNOWMASS TOURISM

Words by Kim Fuller

Never has a road trip seemed more appealing than the year of 2020. While being fully mindful of COVID precautions, a visit to one slice of Colorado may be just what you need to unwind this fall. As neighboring mountain oases, Snowmass and Aspen are probably two of the most ideal destinations you can choose to visit this season for plenty of fresh air and adventure.

Many restaurants in both locations were open for distanced outdoor and indoor dining at the time of publication (see sidebar for our favorites) and hopefully will be through the fall months, and you can get even more space out on all the hiking, trail running and mountain biking trails that wind throughout the whole valley.

This past January, the Roaring Fork Valley was designated as the first IMBA Gold-Level Ride Center in Colorado by the International Mountain Biking Association. More than 300 miles of high quality single-track is available from Aspen and Snowmass to Basalt, Carbondale and Glenwood Springs.

Be sure to spend some time on the Snowmass Bike Park. An expansion this summer brought the park to over 25 miles of bike terrain across 14 trails, containing a mix of beginner to expert flow and hybrid trails — definitely ride French Press at least once.

Hikers and trail runners will love the Tom Blake Trail, which starts just a short drive from Snowmass Village and offers loads of chooseyour-own-distance options. Yogis can get excited too, as longtime local teacher Aaron King is opening a new yoga studio in the Snowmass Base Village. Visit kingyoga.net for more information and class schedules.

For art lovers, a self-guided tour around Anderson Ranch Arts Center is a nice post-lunch or pre-dinner outdoor activity. While many events have been canceled or postponed this year, in mid-September the Snowmass Balloon Festival celebrates its 45th anniversary and guests will be able to watch the balloons from afar.

Many joys await whenever you visit Aspen; fall is an especially nice time, because the air is crisp and fewer visitors are in town. Visit the stunning Maroon Bells or drive up Independence Pass before the roads close for winter.

Hikers will enjoy Ute Trail for something steep with views as a reward, and mountain bikers can relish in miles of single-track that hug Smuggler Mountain.

Try not to leave town without a visit to the Aspen Art Museum. Designed by Shigeru Ban, who was the recipient of the 2014 Pritzker Architecture Prize, the contemporary museum has six galleries with rotating exhibits and offers free admission.

As always with both Snowmass and Aspen, it’s easy to visit, but it’s hard to leave. Soak it all in before the snow falls, and then you’ll just have to go back for winter fun.

Keep your space and still experience the best access to Aspen at The Gant, situated in a tucked away corner of town. It’s just two-and-ahalf blocks from the center of it all, but guests still have the privacy and conveniences of home while staying in a luxury condominium. Parking, pool and hot tub access are all included in your say, with access to tennis courts available as well, along with service from the complimentary Gant car to take you wherever you need to go in town. Access many trails on bike or on foot without ever having to move your car, and try Pepperjack’s Café for breakfast or aprésadventure cocktail. :

SNOWMASS • Fuel Cafe • Open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. • 45 Village Run Circle, Snowmass Village • 970.923.0091

ASPEN • Local Coffee House • Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. • 614 East Cooper Avenue, Aspen • localcoffeeaspen.com • 970.710.7855

SNOWMASS • Crestwood Condominiums • 400 Wood Road, Snowmass Village • 970.923.2450 • thecrestwood.com Settle into a fully-furnished condominium at The Crestwood, located just steps from Snowmass Mountain as well as Snowmass Base Village. Parking is included in your stay, along with access to three hot tubs and an outdoor heated pool.

ASPEN • The Gant • 610 S West End St, Aspen • 800.549.0530 • gantaspen.com Enjoy all the privacy and conveniences of home in a luxury condominium. Parking, pool and hot tub access are all included.