Montezuma Basin

4.3/5 (11 reviews)
Aspen, Colorado (Pitkin County)
Last Updated: 11/22/2022

Trail Information

Highlights

Montezuma Basin Road is just south of Aspen in the White River National Forest. The road starts at Waypoint 6 of the legendary Pearl Pass and takes you up to 12,800 feet, near the base of Castle Peak, which is Colorado's ninth tallest 14er (14,279 ft). The road was used as mining access to Montezuma Mine, which operated from 1879 to 1960. It also operated off and on as a ski resort from 1967-1977 with one snowfield and a tow rope. This road isn't necessarily difficult, but you must be fearless as the road is comprised of many long, exposed segments of shelf road, with some of it being off-camber, which could send you tumbling down very steep, rocky slopes. From the base of Castle Peak, you can begin to hike this 14er. Make sure you take in all the amazing views of the area and imagine what it would be like to live here year-round in the early 1900s! As with other mines, please look but don't touch. Preserve this history for generations to come.

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Trail Navigation

Trail Reviews

4.3/5 (11)
Official Crew
35350
Seasonal Closure
Visited: 11/22/2022

This trail has closed for the season. See you next year!
Official Crew
35350
Open
Visited: 05/21/2022

According to the MVUM, this trail is open for the season! This trail may be impassable due to snowpack so please plan accordingly and bring all necessary recovery gear.
Official Crew
106700
Seasonal Closure
Visited: 11/22/2021

Closed for the season! See you in 2022!
Official Crew
35350
Impassable
Visited: 10/31/2021

Snow has fallen in Colorado making this trail potentially dangerous, if not impassable. Please use caution if you decide to go out and explore.
Partially Open
Rated 4/5
Visited: 10/21/2021
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Stock 2008 Rubicon Made it up just a little past the tight switchback (waypoint 9) to 11,200 before snow and loose scree prevented further passage. Chain may have helped get a little bit further but the rest of the trail was fully snow covered. Snowy areas and a few small patches of ice on the way up but nothing that didn't have an easy line through. There were a few places that I had to make multiple attempts though. One more snowstorm though and I think this will be fully shutdown for the season. Attempted Castle Peak from here but turned back at the top of the headwall.

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