A placard at the trailhead, near the far end of Maroon Lake, spells out the challenge in haunting detail.

The view of the striated Maroon Bells from Crater Lake and the view from nearby Maroon Lake are two of the most photographed mountain scenes in the United States.

Destinations of four-hour rides, all $90 a person, lunch included are East Maroon Pass, Maroon Creek Valley and Maroon Lake.

Against this backdrop sits beautiful Maroon Lake.

You can take a guided walk around Maroon Lake starting at the Maroon Bells bus stop, or join a walk at the top of Aspen Mountain as soon as you get off the gondola.

The Maroon Bells reflected in Maroon Lake.

While it is often reputed to be the most photographed site in the state, this is logistically impossible, as compared to easily accessible and heavily visited Maroon Lake, near Aspen.

Few vistas are as gratifying or as easy to reach as the one at the end of the short bus trip from Aspen's Rubey Park Transport Center to Maroon Lake.

Maroon Lake by full moon is another favorite destination for cross-country skiers, although solitude is frequently disrupted by snowmobilers.

Snowmobile tours run up to Klondike Cabin in the White River National Forest or Maroon Lake in the Maroon Bells Wilderness.