|
You've seen them on TV……
They're the most photographed peaks in
North America……..
Now RFTA will take you there and tell you
all about them……
Maroon Bells service
begins June 14, 2008 and Continues on Friday, Saturday & Sundays Through
September.
 It
was recognized that the beautiful roadside wildflowers were dying. The
overhanging aspen were being choked to death. It was then that the problems of
automobile air pollution, inconsiderate drivers, and high altitude mountain
terrain combined to force the National Forest Service to close the road to the
Maroon Bells and Snowmass
Wilderness Area during the times of peak summer usage. Complete closure of the
valley was contemplated. At that point the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority worked
with the National Forest Service to start a bus service during the hours the
road is closed to private cars, 8:30 am to 5 pm with the exception of handicap
vehicles and those with 12 passengers or more (contact the Aspen
Forest Service Office 970-925-3445 for new restriction went into effect in
July 2000). Since the buses have been in use the trees and flowers have
substantially recovered from the damage the heavy car traffic had created and
the valley is therefore still available for recreational use.
The Maroon Bells Bus service is a guided tour
that runs every day from June 16 through September 5 and then runs on Friday,
Saturday and Sunday
through September . All buses depart from Aspen Highlands Ski
Area. Bus will leave every 20 minutes starting at 9:05 am until 2:05 pm, then on the hour and half hour until
4:30 pm with the last bus returning to town at 5:00 pm. There is plenty of free
parking at Aspen Highlands or you can take the free Castle Maroon Bus from downtown
to reach Aspen Highlands.
Your driver/tour guide will point out areas of
interest and geographical features, describe the wildlife, and tell you some of
the area's history on your way to the Maroon Bells. When you arrive at Maroon
Lake at the base of the Bells you may depart the bus and return on any later
bus, affording you the opportunity hike, take a guided nature tour, picnic, and
take pictures.
Tours to the Bells cost $6.00 for adults, $4.00
for children 6-16, $4.00 for seniors, and children under 6 ride free plus .50
per ticket Forest Service charge.
Combination - (Maroon Bells and Silver Queen Gondola) -
$27.00
Tickets can be purchased at Four
Mountain Sports at Aspen Highlands Village or at the Rubey Park Transit Center,
then taking the Maroon Creek Bus to Highlands Village
For the latest information call 1-970-925-8484 Rubey Park Bus Information.
|
