Starting at the Snowmass Creek trailhead, you first cross a section of private property, pass the cut off trail for West Snowmass Creek bound for Mt. Daly, then come upon a small beaver pond. To get to its edge you must rock hop a short distance across a boulder field. With a calm day, reflections of Colorado’s beloved Snowmass Maroon Bells Wilderness add to the anticipation of what awaits.

The Snowmass Creek trail spends a good deal of time meandering through a thick forest with occasional openings in the tree canopy providing quick glimpses of the surrounding mountains. Mid and late summer brings on the wildflowers and with the right angle …