Trail Rider Pass – North Fork Crystal River loop from Snowmass Lake

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

United States

Colorado

Pitkin County

Trail Rider Pass – North Fork Crystal River loop from Snowmass Lake

Hard

4.8

(1790)

18,503

hikers

Trail Rider Pass – North Fork Crystal River loop from Snowmass Lake

09:53

24.4km

1,310m

Hiking

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

Last updated: August 28, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Maroon Bells–Snowmass Wilderness

Waypoints

Start point

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1.79 km

Snowmass Lake

Highlight • Lake

Located in a beautiful glaciated basin, it's surrounded by towering peaks. It's quite a challenge to get here, but you will likely find more solitude here compared to Crater Lake.

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5.14 km

Trail Rider Pass

Highlight • Mountain Pass

At over 12,400 feet, the pass is often windy and cold, even on a sunny day, but the views from the top are your ultimate reward. You'll get a perfect, …

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10.4 km

North Fork Crystal River

Highlight • Trail

The river starts close to Frigid Air pass, flowing into the Fravert Basin. The meadows here are known for their spectacular wildflowers, which burst with color in late summer. Take …

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12.2 km

King Falls

Highlight • Waterfall

There is a large waterfall in the Fravert Basin area, with water cascading down multiple rocky tiers into a misty pool. The area around the falls is a perfect place …

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24.4 km

End point

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

14.3 km

10.1 km

Surfaces

24.1 km

286 m

Elevation