Four Pass Loop packing checklist | Camp Check [Skip to content](#content) [Camp Check](/) [Map](/)[About](/about) Show more details [← Back to map](/) · [Search spots](/#all) Trip details · Four Pass Loop # Four Pass Loop packing checklist * Activity**Backpacking** * Park**Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, CO** * Nearest**Sky Pond, 106 mi** A 26-mile circuit around the Maroon Bells over four passes above 12,000 feet. Overnight permits and bear canisters are required. ## Trip details Distance 26 mi loop Passes 4, all above 12,000 ft Permit Advance overnight permit on Recreation.gov Food storage IGBC-approved bear canister required Snow Often snowbound October to June Best season Late July to mid-September (our pick) ### Source * [USFS White River NF: Four Pass Loop](https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/whiteriver/recreation/four-pass-loop-west-maroon-buckskin) * [USFS White River NF: Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness](https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/whiteriver/recreation/maroon-bells-snowmass-wilderness) "Our pick" seasons are our own call. ## Packing list Reset Ready to go: **0%** · you have 0 of 19 ### Before you go * **Check conditions.** Closures, weather and trail status change. Look at [USFS White River NF: alerts](https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/whiteriver/alerts) the day you go. * **Tell someone your plan.** Where you’re going, who’s with you and when you’ll be back. [NPS: leave a trip plan](https://www.nps.gov/articles/hiking-safety.htm) * **Know when to turn back.** Cross each pass early in the day. When you hear thunder, drop below treeline. If altitude symptoms get worse, descend. This list is a starting point, not a guarantee. Conditions change, so adjust it for your trip and your group. We earn from qualifying Amazon purchases. [Details](/about#affiliate) Check off what you already have. For anything you still need, there’s a product suggestion when we have a good match. ### Trip-specific: permits and hazards 1. **Overnight permit**USFS requires an advance overnight permit for each camping zone, from Recreation.gov.Need itHave it No product pick yet. Bring your own or check with the park. Source: [USFS White River NF: Four Pass Loop](https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/whiteriver/recreation/four-pass-loop-west-maroon-buckskin) 2. **Bear canister (required)**USFS: an IGBC-approved hard-sided canister is required. We don’t have a verified pick yet.Need itHave it No product pick yet. Bring your own or check with the park. Source: [USFS White River NF: Four Pass Loop](https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/whiteriver/recreation/four-pass-loop-west-maroon-buckskin) 3. **WAG bags**USFS recommends packing out human waste.Need itHave it No product pick yet. Bring your own or check with the park. Source: [USFS White River NF: Four Pass Loop](https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/whiteriver/recreation/four-pass-loop-west-maroon-buckskin) 4. **Altitude**All four passes top 12,000 ft. Learn the signs of altitude sickness and descend if they get worse.Need itHave it No product pick yet. Bring your own or check with the park. Source: [NPS Rocky Mountain: Acute Mountain Sickness](https://www.nps.gov/romo/acute_mountain_sickness.htm) 5. **Lightning plan**USFS: get off passes and ridges before storms. Be below treeline when lightning starts.Need itHave it No product pick yet. Bring your own or check with the park. Source: [USFS Intermountain Region: Weather safety](https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/safety-ethics/weather-safety) 6. **Group size limit**USFS limits groups to 10 people.Need itHave it No product pick yet. Bring your own or check with the park. Source: [USFS White River NF: Four Pass Loop](https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/whiteriver/recreation/four-pass-loop-west-maroon-buckskin) ### The Ten Essentials [(NPS)](https://www.nps.gov/articles/10essentials.htm) 1. **Water**Carry at least 1 L per 2 hours between sources, more on the climbs.Need itHave it ![Nalgene Tritan Wide Mouth 32 oz](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71x9VbJrhvL._AC_SL1000_.jpg) Nalgene Tritan Wide Mouth 32 oz $17.99 on Amazon Carry at least 1 L per 2 hours between sources, more on the climbs. [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001N7V1QG/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20) Source: [NPS Yosemite: hiking safety (1 quart every 2 hours)](https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/hikingsafety.htm) 2. **Water treatment**Treat all stream and lake water.Need itHave it ![LifeStraw Personal Water Filter](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/610MT9qiRyL._SL1000_.jpg) LifeStraw Personal Water Filter $17.95 on Amazon Treat all stream and lake water. [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006QF3TW4/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20) 3. **Food and extra food**Pack all trip meals plus a spare day of food, all in the canister.Need itHave it No product pick yet. Bring your own or check with the park. 4. **Navigation: offline map, map and compass**Snow and cloud can hide the route over the passes.Need itHave it ![Suunto A-10 Compass](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61SgLIozPML._AC_SL1000_.jpg) Suunto A-10 Compass $24.00 on Amazon Snow and cloud can hide the route over the passes. [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TRB49PK/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20) 5. **Headlamp**For early starts to cross passes before storms.Need itHave it ![Petzl Tikka Headlamp](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71sDmxdaMIL._AC_SL1000_.jpg) Petzl Tikka Headlamp $34.95 on Amazon For early starts to cross passes before storms. [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FDLSGR92/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20) 6. **Sun protection**Above treeline for long stretches.Need itHave it ![Banana Boat Sport SPF 50 Spray (2-pack)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71KsaIMGD7L._SL1000_.jpg) Banana Boat Sport SPF 50 Spray (2-pack) $11.49 on Amazon Above treeline for long stretches. [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MQXX9US/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20) 7. **Insulation and rain layer**Nights near freezing and daily storms are possible in summer.Need itHave it ![FROGG TOGGS Ultra-lite2 Rain Jacket (men’s)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/613vT-iXDWL._AC_SL1000_.jpg) FROGG TOGGS Ultra-lite2 Rain Jacket (men’s) $22.74 on Amazon Nights near freezing and daily storms are possible in summer. [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CKCZOZC/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20) 8. **First aid kit**For blisters, scrapes and sprains, the most common trail problems.Need itHave it ![Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .5](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81Tk3JSPj0L._AC_SL1000_.jpg) Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .5 $31.95 on Amazon For blisters, scrapes and sprains, the most common trail problems. [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DV6PDY9R/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20) 9. **Fire starter and emergency shelter**Your tent is your shelter. Carry a lighter and fire starter too.Need itHave it No product pick yet. Bring your own or check with the park. 10. **Knife or repair kit**For quick gear fixes, cutting tape or trimming a blister pad.Need itHave it ![Opinel No. 08 Stainless Folding Knife](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51sHi+R6qwL._AC_SL1000_.jpg) Opinel No. 08 Stainless Folding Knife $16.62 on Amazon For quick gear fixes, cutting tape or trimming a blister pad. [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000UGYWTO/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20) ### Nice to have 1. **Light stove**For hot meals at camp.Need itHave it ![MSR PocketRocket 2 Stove](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61RbJPrebyL._AC_SL1000_.jpg) MSR PocketRocket 2 Stove $49.95 on Amazon For hot meals at camp. [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N5O7551/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20) 2. **Foam pad**Durable, and it doubles as a sit pad.Need itHave it ![Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol Sleeping Pad](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71r9o+AP-yL._AC_SL1000_.jpg) Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol Sleeping Pad $59.52 on Amazon Durable, and it doubles as a sit pad. [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005I6R0WC/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20) 3. **Warm hat**For cold nights at camp.Need itHave it ![Smartwool Thermal Merino Cuffed Beanie](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91teOlZwJSL._AC_SL1000_.jpg) Smartwool Thermal Merino Cuffed Beanie $29.96 on Amazon For cold nights at camp. [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09997PWP7/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20) Prices and stock checked on Amazon on Oct 18, 2026, and may have changed. ## Photos ![The West Maroon Pass trail](/photos/four-pass-loop-1.webp) Photo: [Tom Pratt](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:West_Maroon_Pass_Trail_Aspen_CO_July_09.jpg) · [CC BY 2.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0) · Wikimedia Commons ![Crater Lake below the Maroon Bells](/photos/four-pass-loop-2.webp) Photo: [Leonardkaroline](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Crater_Lake,_Maroon_Bells,_Colorado.jpg) · [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0) · Wikimedia Commons Coordinates **39.0968°N 106.9455°W** Elevation **12,000+ ft passes** Park **Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, CO** Time now **UTC --:--:--** [](/spots/delicate-arch)[](/spots/devils-garden-campground)[](/spots/kings-peak)[](/spots/mirror-lake-campground)[](/spots/sky-pond)[](/spots/four-pass-loop) Use two fingers to move the map **Affiliate disclosure:** As an Amazon Associate, Camp Check earns from qualifying purchases. Amazon links are affiliate links and don't change your price. **AI disclosure:** Pages are drafted with AI help and checked by a person against the linked NPS/USFS sources and live Amazon listings. Conditions, prices and stock change, so check before you go and before you buy. **Map data:** Elevation from [Terrain Tiles on AWS](https://registry.opendata.aws/terrain-tiles/) (Mapzen/Tilezen), built from USGS 3DEP and NOAA ETOPO1 data, among others. [About](/about) · [Sitemap](/sitemap.xml)