Recreation Region: Aspen - Sopris Ranger District

Geneva Lake TH #1973

ALERTS:

• Bear canisters are required for all backpackers in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness.
• Advance reservation permits are required for overnight stays in the Maroon Bells - Snowmass Wilderness Overnight Permit Zones. See regulations below.

Get Permits

From Snowmass Lake: The Geneva Lake Trail begins above the lake on the south side of the outlet. The trail climbs steeply for 1 1/2 miles to Trail Rider Pass and then descends for 2 miles to Geneva Lake. From Marble: The trail leaves the parking lot, wanders through meadows and trees and emerges onto views of the cascading waterfalls straight ahead. Continuing toward the falls, the trail climbs steeply and you can see the back of the Maroon Bells. The trail then curves to the left of the falls and becomes level about 10 minutes before reaching the lake. The trail continues to skirt the north end of the lake and connects with the trail to Trail Rider Pass toward Snowmass Lake.

General Information

A permit is required for overnight stays in Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Overnight Permit Zones. This permit must be acquired in advance at recreation.gov.
For all other overnight trips to the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, registration is required at the trailhead.

Maroon Bells - Snowmass Wilderness regulations protect this special place:

Overnight permit required for overnight stays within the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Overnight Permit Zones.
Food, trash and any scented items must be stored in an IGBC approved bear resistant container. Human food habituated bears are a threat to human safety. Visitors without approved bear resistant containers will be ticketed and required to leave.
You must have a plan for human waste. Human waste bags (WAG) bags are highly recommended and are available free of charge at the Conundrum Creek and Snowmass Lake trailheads. WAG bags must be packed out. Learn more about how to use a WAG bag. If a WAG bag is not used, visitors are required to deposit solid human waste in holes dug 6 to 8 inches deep at least 200 feet (70 paces) from water, camp and trails.
Group size is limited to 10 with no more than 15 stock animals in one group. Large groups multiply impacts to the wilderness and disrupt the solitude of others

Getting There

Elevation

12400

Directions

From Snowmass Lake (See ROG for Snowmass Lake). From Marble: Drive 25 miles south of Carbondale on Highway 133 to Marble. Continue 6 miles through Marble, past Beaver Lake for 1-1/2 miles to a fork in the road. From here both roads are 4WD and both lead to the trailhead. The left fork is the northern route to Lead King Basin. The 6.5 miles from here to the trailhead are more precarious, but the ride is smoother and faster if the road is dry. The right fork is the southern route through Crystal City and past the historic Crystal Mill. The 4 mile drive to Crystal is rough and the road beyond extremely difficult to negotiate. For those who choose to stop at Crystal, park just beyond the town and hike from here the 2 miles to the trailhead. For those who choose to continue 4 wheeling beyond Crystal, continue for 1 mile then make a sharp left. The road goes up a hill where a sign for Lead King Basin leads left. Crested Butte via Schofield Pass is straight ahead. After turning left at the sign, the road will turn left again in about 1-1/4 miles. The road then goes over a bridge and the trailhead is about 10 minutes farther.