Maroon Bells–Snowmass Wilderness, Protected wilderness area in Gunnison and Pitkin Counties, Colorado, United States.
Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness is a protected landscape in the Rocky Mountains spanning two Colorado counties with diverse terrain. It contains mountain peaks, alpine lakes, coniferous forests, and open meadows across varying elevations.
Congress protected this landscape in 1964 as part of a national effort to preserve wild areas for the future. The designation has kept the region largely undeveloped since then.
The Ute people maintained deep connections to this land for generations, using its resources and natural features in their daily lives. Visitors walking through the wilderness can still sense this historical relationship with the landscape.
Visitors should make advance reservations during busy periods and check permit requirements before arriving. Summer through early autumn is the best season for hiking when trails are snow-free and accessible.
The peaks contain sedimentary rock layers rich in iron and manganese minerals, giving them their distinctive red-brown coloring. This mineral composition makes the mountains visually distinctive and reveals the area's geological history.
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