Smuggler Mountain Trail
Aspen Tourism
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Smuggler Mountain Trail Image 1Photo: Aspen Tourism
Though the climb is steep, the hike is relativly short. From the parking area near the base, the hike to Smuggler’s no frills observation nest is about 1.5 miles. At this point, the trail forks with the scenic Hunter Creek Cutoff, leading up into the Hunter Creek Valley, and with the T.B.S. Trail (Trail Behind the Sign) that continues up the mountain with connections to the Smuggler Loop, Tootsie Roll and Lollipop Trails.
For over a century, Smuggler Mountain Road has been in use, first as an old mining road and now as a heavily used climb by mountain bikes, runners and hikers.
Author’s recommendation
Normally Accessible June through September.
(NOTE: The road may be obstructed by snow in Early June and Late September.)
Start
Note
Getting there
From Rifle, New Castle, Glenwood Springs, Carbondale & Basalt: Take Hwy 82 east into Aspen. Follow Main Street (Hwy 82) through town, staying on Hwy 82 as it bends right onto Original Street. Turn left at the four-way stop sign onto Cooper Avenue. Travel a few blocks and turn left onto Park Avenue. Travel another few blocks and turn right onto Park Circle.From Aspen: Follow Hwy 82/Cooper Avenue to the east and toward Independence Pass. From the four-way stop sign at the intersection of Cooper Avenue and Original Street, travel a few blocks and turn left onto Park Avenue. Travel another few blocks and turn right onto Park Circle.
Parking
The parking lot for Smuggler is on the left as Park Circle bends to the left. Smuggler Road begins off of Park Circle and a trailhead is kiosk is a few hundred feet up from this intersection.Coordinates
Statistics
- 5 Waypoints
- 5 Waypoints
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