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Enjoy the Maroon Bells

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Standing at more than 14,000 feet, the Maroon Bells, two distinctively bell-shaped, wine-colored peaks of mudstone, carved out over 300 million years, are the most photographed mountains in North America, and is Aspen’s number one summer destination. During peak season, there may be crowds. To avoid large crowds, we suggest visiting mid-week, arriving with the first bus of the day.
 

 

GETTING TO THE BELLS:
  • Getting to the Maroon Bells is best done by bus. 
  • From June 9 to October 8, vehicle traffic is restricted past the Maroon Bells Welcome Station from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
  • When bus service is available, motorized travel on Maroon Creek Road is limited to vehicles carrying those with disabilities, children ages 2 or younger in car seats, and campers occupying the Silver Bar, Silver Bell and Silver Queen Campgrounds. 
  • If you drive, be prepared to pay a $10 vehicle fee by cash or check. 
 
RIDING THE BELLS BUS:
  • Taking the bus is easy. The Castle/Maroon bus leaves downtown Aspen at the Ruby Park Bus Station every 20 minutes and connects with the Maroon Bells shuttle at Aspen Highlands. 
  • You may also park at Aspen Highlands for a fee ($5-$10) and begin your journey to the Bells from there. 
  • The fee to ride from Aspen Highlands to the Bells is $8 per person and includes information on points of interest along the route.
  • Dogs are allowed on the bus to the Maroon Bells from Aspen Highlands for free. They must be leashed at all times in the Maroon Bells Wilderness and Scenic area. 
 
CYCLING TO THE BELLS:
  • The road to the Maroon Bells is also a popular cycling route. 
  • With a steady eight-mile climb to the Maroon Bells’ parking lot, this ride is a perfect intermediate to advanced experience, with local tour groups offering daily trips throughout summer.
 
HIKING AT THE BELLS:
  • With six scenic hiking trails beginning at the base of the Bells, there is a variety of terrain easily accessed from the parking lot or the RFTA bus drop off. 
  • The trails surrounding Maroon Lake are fairly flat and are wheelchair and stroller accessible. These lead to more challenging routes in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Area. 
  • Upon arrival to the Bells, be mindful of preparation, as there is no drinking water at this site, but there are bathrooms. 
 
BELLS TO THE BACKCOUNTRY:
  • The Maroon Bells is a perfect starting point for many backcountry hikes including the popular West Maroon Pass to Crested Butte, Buckskin Pass and the Four Pass Loop. 
  • The peaks of the Maroon Bells themselves – Maroon and North Maroon – are rated 3 and 4 degrees of hiking difficulty, respectively. 
  • They are extremely exposed and unstable routes, giving them the notorious moniker, “The Deadly Bells.” Please be realistic with your abilities, and when in doubt, hire a guide.  

Visit our Trip Highlights section for more detailed information on this beautiful location. 

4th of July Parade Waiver

IMPORTANT PARADE INFORMATION

PARADE STARTING/STAGING: The parade will begin at 11:00am. Parade positioning is “first come, first serve” and line up begins no earlier than 10:00am. There is no entry fee and the parade is open to the public. All 5 lanes of Main Street, from Aspen Street to 2nd Street, will be closed to all traffic & designated for parade staging only. Power is not provided in staging area and remember generators do need gas.

PARADE ROUTE: The parade will start East on Main Street. It will turn South onto Hunter Street, then West onto Cooper Avenue. The parade will continue West on Cooper Avenue to Galena Street. At Galena it heads North for 2 blocks before turning West onto Hopkins Avenue. The parade will continue South on Mill then West on Hyman Avenue. Parade participants will be directed to disperse at Hyman and Monarch Street.  PARADE JUDGING: Parade judging will take place in front of the Hotel Jerome. Participants will be limited to 1 minute or less for any performances in front of the judges. Security will be onsite monitoring all entries to help prevent gaps in the parade route. Recognition will be awarded to the best entries in the following categories: 

Most Patriotic | Most Humorous | Best Animal | Best Music | Most Outrageous | Best Children’s  

PARADE REMINDERS:  

  • Consumption of alcohol is prohibited during the parade.
  • Candy, favors, etc. should not be thrown from your float/vehicle during the parade. This is for the safety of the spectators and to prevent children from running out into the street. 
  • Water balloons will not be permitted. According to city ordinances, those caught throwing balloons will be removed from the parade and could face citations and/or arrests. 
  • All parade entries must be in “good taste” and will be allowed in the parade per the director’s discretion. 
  • Maximum height restriction for any float entry is 13’5”.

 

The undersigned organization has elected to participate in the Fourth of July parade sponsored by the City of Aspen and Aspen Chamber Resort Association (“ACRA”). In consideration for City of Aspen and ACRA allowing the undersigned to participate in the festivities, the undersigned has read, understood, and willingly agreed to the terms of this INSURANCE LIABILITY AGREEMENT and WAIVER AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT (collectively referred to herein as “RELEASE”).

INSURANCE LIABILITY AGREEMENT

                                    Participants are required to carry insurance adequate to cover any liability for damage, injury, economic loss, or other liability that may be incurred by individuals and/or organizations during the Fourth of July parade. All participants agree to carry such insurance, and also agree not to submit any claim against the insurance of City of Aspen, ACRA and/or any other sponsors of the parade, their officers, directors, agents, shareholders, employees, or anyone else directly or indirectly connected with production of the parade.

WAIVER AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT

                                         The undersigned understands the potential dangers that could be encountered in participating in the Fourth of July parade. The dangers include, among other things, dangers relating to vehicular and pedestrian traffic; crowds of persons in close proximity to such traffic; animals that may react unpredictably in a parade environment; celebration and recreational activities; loud and unexpected noise; items that may be thrown to and from the crowd in connection with the parade; and other dangers traditionally associated with parades.  Understanding those risks, the undersigned for itself and for all persons who the undersigned invites or allows to participate in the parade with the undersigned, does hereby agree to indemnify, hold harmless, and release City of Aspen, ACRA and/or any other sponsors of the parade, their officers, directors, agents, shareholders, employees, and anyone else directly or indirectly connected with production of the parade from any and all liability, claims, demands, actions, or rights of action (including attorneys’ fees and costs) that are related to or are in any way connected with the undersigned’s participation in the parade. By signing this RELEASE, the undersigned intends to extinguish any and all liability and to indemnify against any loss on the part of City of Aspen, ACRA and/or any other sponsors of the parade, their officers, directors, agents, shareholders, employees, and anyone else directly or indirectly connected with production of the parade for any injury or damage of any nature (without regard to negligence or fault) to the undersigned and to all persons who the undersigned invites or allows to participate in the parade.

                                      The undersigned warrants and represents that it will not invite or allow any person to participate in the parade unless such person is bound to the terms of this RELEASE. To that end, the undersigned agrees that it shall take any steps necessary to secure agreement of such persons to the terms of this RELEASE, and that it shall be deemed a responsible person within the meaning of C.R.S. § 13-22-107 and § 19-1103(94) for all children who the undersigned invites or allows to participate in the parade.

SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION

   I am the official representative of the undersigned organization. On behalf of the organization, I acknowledge our responsibilities as set forth above. I also accept on behalf of the organization all of the terms and conditions of this

INSURANCE LIABILITY AGREEMENT and WAIVER AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT.

 

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