The Four Pass Loop is one of the most highly-regarded backpacking courses in Colorado for its 🍁 autumn foliage views. The trail crosses four mountain passes, each over 12,000 feet high.
This was my third 4-day backpacking trip. Compared to other routes I’ve done, the total elevation gain was similar — but since the overall distance was much shorter, I thought this hike would feel more relaxed.
But that was wishful thinking. A shorter distance means steeper climbs, and since the overall altitude is higher, this was the trip where I suffered the most from altitude sickness among all the hikes I’ve been on.
I’ll save the altitude sickness whining for later, but first, let me share the good stories.
🍁 Perfect Timing for Fall Colors
Just like cherry blossoms, catching peak autumn foliage is all about timing — and thanks to the person who planned this trip, our timing was absolutely perfect.
- On the first day, the colors were about 70–80% turned,
- and by the final day of our 4-day hike, the foliage was at its peak.
The scenery at Snowmass Lake was especially breathtaking — the deep blue water and the golden leaves created a magical combination.
These colors are hard to find in California. This lake is over 8 miles up from the trailhead, so visiting it on a backpacking trip was well worth the effort.
🥵 Altitude Sickness Was No Joke
I had no issues at the first pass. “Hey, I’m feeling great today!” I thought as I crossed it easily.
But by the second and third passes, symptoms of altitude sickness started to hit. I lost my appetite and couldn’t eat, barely managing to suck on a piece of candy.
Interestingly, since all four passes are around 12,000 feet above sea level, the altitude itself is similar. The fact that I was fine on the first pass shows that altitude sickness is not just an altitude. It is also affected by accumulated fatigue and physical condition.
Thankfully, by the final pass, I seemed to have somewhat acclimated to the altitude, giving me enough composure to take beautiful photos like the one above.
👥 A Journey Made Possible by Companionship
There were eight of us on this trip. We split into two groups — one faster and one slower — and each hiked at our own pace.
I was in the second group, while the person who filmed the video was in the first, so I only appear briefly on the first and last days.
📹 With the creator’s permission, I edited the video to focus on the sections I hiked. The quality is far beyond anything I could usually produce — it’s truly top-notch.
📌 Recommended Day Hikes to Enjoy Peak Fall Colors
Even if hiking the entire 25-mile loop sounds daunting, the most scenic fall foliage sections can easily be enjoyed as day hikes.
1) Stroll Around Maroon Lake
📍 Located right at the trailhead — and though I hate to admit it — this area was even more stunning than any place we saw during the 4-day trek.
2) Overlook with a View of Crater Lake
From Maroon Lake, hike just 1.5 miles further to reach a wide-open viewpoint where you can look down on the aspen forest.
As you head toward Crater Lake, skip the junction that descends to the lake and continue a bit higher — that’s where the best view is.
The trail itself is lined with colorful trees, making the whole hike delightful.
🚗 To access the trailhead, a shuttle or parking reservation is required.
🍂 Best fall color season: late September to early October
→ On YouTube, search for “Colorado fall colors forecast” and filter by “past month” to see recent news videos.
Final Thoughts
The fall colors were breathtaking, but after seeing photos of this area in spring and summer, it almost feels like an entirely different world.
Now I dream of returning someday to hike the Four Pass Loop in its lush green season, and maybe even exploring other famous Colorado routes like Chicago Basin.
💬 If you have any questions or feedback, please leave a comment!
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