Electric Pass Hiking Detail - Hiking Trail Near Aspen, Colorado

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Trail Intro Trail Detail Photo Gallery Topo Map Earth Map

Electric PassElectric PassElectric PassElectric PassDistance: 9.4 miles (round trip)Distance: 9.4 miles (round trip)Distance: 9.4 miles (round trip)Distance: 9.4 miles (round trip)Maroon Bells Snowmass Wilderness, White River National Forest, nearAspeninCentral Colorado

IntroductionIntroductionIntroductionIntroduction

If you are looking for a

challenge and incredible

panoramic hike the trail

to Electric Pass. This

strenuous hike, gaining

over 3,600-ft. in

4.7-miles, climbs to a

spectacular viewpoint

on a high ridge running

between Cathedral

Peak and Electric Peak.

From the pass awe

inspiring vistas stretch

southwest to the high peaks and ridges surrounding Cathedral Lake and

ringing the end of the Castle Creek Valley. To the northwest a quintet of

14ers, North and South Maroon Peak, Snowmass Mountain, Pyramid Peakand Capital Peak, pierce the skyline amid a sea of ridges and summits.

On the return from the pass be sure to stop a beautiful Cathedral Lake, an

alpine jewel cradled in a dramatic cirque beneath the rugged pinnacles and

crags of Cathedral and Malamute Peaks.

It is essential to get an early start. The aptly names Electric Pass is a

lightening magnet. Hikers should be off the pass and below the saddle

leading to the pass before noon to avoid electric storms that frequently hit

the pass in the early afternoon. The trail is not recommended for anyone with

a fear of heights or hikers uncomfortable on narrow, exposed trails.

Trailhead to the Junction with Electric PassTrailhead to the Junction with Electric PassTrailhead to the Junction with Electric PassTrailhead to the Junction with Electric Pass

Distance from

Trailhead: 2.4

miles (one way)

Ending Elevation:

11,790-ft.

Elevation Gain:

1,910-ft.

The trail toCathedral Lake

and Electric Pass

wastes no time

Hike FactsHike FactsHike FactsHike Facts

Distance: 9.4 miles

(round trip)

Elevation: 9,880-ft. -

13,500-ft.

Elevation Gain: 3,620-ft.

Difficulty: strenuous-

difficult

Basecamp(s): Aspen

Region: Central

Colorado

Trail MapTrail MapTrail MapTrail Map

View: Full Page Map/Google Earth

Map

Photo GalleryPhoto GalleryPhoto GalleryPhoto Gallery

Map data 2013 Google

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views of the upper Castle Creek valley.

Once in the Pine Creek drainage the ascent steepens as the trail climbs

above the northwest side of the Pine Creek through Aspen groves that giveway to spruce-fir forest. Pine creek rushes down the ever deepening gorge

beside the trail.

Meadows and openings in the trees provide views of the rugged ridge

rimming the southeast side of the valley. Be sure to turn around for nice

views across the Castle Creek Valley.

The grade abates as the trail crosses a boulder field created by rock slides

cascading from the steep slopes to the north of the trail. The boulder field

provides the first views of the peaks rising to the southwest.

Past the boulder field the trail traverses a stand of trees and then follows agentle grade as it curves to the northwest above a boggy willow-choked

meadow. The open meadow offers great views of the peaks rising to the

south and above the head of the valley.

Beyond the meadow the trail turns west and climbs through scrub brush and

trees. At 2.1 miles from the trailhead the grade steepens as the path crosses

a large talus field and ascends the basins headwall. The final assault of the

wall is on steep switchbacks through spruce-fir forest.

At the top of the headwall the grade moderates and soon the trail reaches

the junction with the trai l to Electric Pass, heading north (right). (The trail

straight ahead leads to Cathedral Lake.)

Junction to Electric PassJunction to Electric PassJunction to Electric PassJunction to Electric Pass

Distance from

Trailhead: 9.4 miles

(round trip)

Ending Elevation:

13,500-ft.

Elevation Gain:

1,710-ft.

Turn right at the

junction, following the

trail as it climbs a ridge

though fields of willows

and scattered trees to a

second intersection with a trail leading left to Cathedral Lake. Stay right at

the second junction. (The trail to the left can be used on the return trip if you

want to visit lake.)

Beyond the second junction the path begins a steep ascent up a series of

switchbacks that head north through a large basin clad in beautiful meadowssprinkled with wildflowers. As you climb enjoy the ever improving panorama

of summits including Malamute Peak, Cathedral Peak and Castle Peak to the

southwest.

View: Photo Gallery

Elevation ProfileElevation ProfileElevation ProfileElevation Profile

Driving DirectionsDriving DirectionsDriving DirectionsDriving Directions

Driving Directions from Aspen:

Drive 0.5 miles west of Aspen on

Highway 82 to the roundabout. Go

around the roundabout and turn right

onto Castle Creek Road. Drive 12.2

miles and turn right onto a gravel

road marked for the Cathedral Lake

trail. The turn is shortly after passing

the ghost town of Ashcroft. Continue

0.5 miles up the rough gravel road,

passable by passenger cars, to the

trailhead.

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the summit known as Electric Peak (13,635-ft.). Electric Pass is located to

the left (southwest) of Electric Peak on the ridge running between Cathedral

Peak and Electric Peak.

Note the pass is located well above the low point on the ridge and just

135-ft. below Electric Peak. You only need to look at the steep cliffs below

the low point on the ridge to understand the routing of the trail.

Panoramic views from the pass extend northwest toward the Maroon Bells.

On a clear day you can see a quintet of 14ers, North and South Maroon

Peaks, Snowmass Mountain, Pyramid Peak and Capitol Peak. To the south

the peaks and ridges of the Elk Mountain fill the horizon beyond the head of

the Castle Creek Valley.

After soaking in the views carefully return the way you came.

Please note that the trail to Electric Pass is not recommended for anyone

with a fear of heights or hikers uncomfortable on narrow, exposed trails.

Optional Side Trip to Cathedral LakeOptional Side Trip to Cathedral LakeOptional Side Trip to Cathedral LakeOptional Side Trip to Cathedral Lake

Distance from

Trailhead: 1.0 miles

(round trip)

Ending Elevation:

11,866-ft.

Elevation Gain: 125-ft.

A side trip to Cathedral

Lake is strongly

recommended on the

return from Electric

Pass. The side trip adds

about 1.0-mile (RT) to

the hike, making the combined journey a 10.4 mile (RT) hike.

Follow the trail from Electric Pass down to the junction with the trail to

Cathedral Lake. Turn right at the junction and follow the Cathedral Lake trail

as it ascends to the lake, gaining about 125-ft. in 0.5 miles. Cathedral Lake

is an alpine jewel surrounded by jagged granite peaks and crags. Cathedral

Peak towers above the lake to the west and Malamute Peak rises to the

southwest.

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Electric Pass Hiking Detail - Hiking Trail Near Aspen, Colorado