Capitol/Snowmass Creek Area

Attractions - The primary attractions in this very scenic area are Capitol Creek Trail, East and West Snowmass Creek Trails, Snowmass Lake, Capitol Lake, Snowmass Mountain and Capitol Peak.

Recreation - Some of the numerous recreation opportunities available in this area include hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, backcountry camping, fishing, sightseeing, and mountain climbing. Winter brings possibilities for cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing.

Climate - In the valley bottoms, summer high temperatures extend into the 70's and mid 80s, with cool evenings that can often dip into the 30s. Winter lows occasionally dip to minus 30 degrees, though daytime temperatures are often in the 20s to 30s. The relative humidity is quite low throughout the year. Much of the area and its recreation facilities lie at higher elevations where significantly lower temperatures and more precipitation can be expected. Afternoon summer thunderstorms are common. Snow is possible at any time of year in the highest elevations. The high elevation roads and trails are often not clear of snow until mid-July.

Location - This area is located to the northwest of Aspen and southwest of Basalt. It is most commonly accessed from Snowmass Creek Road, off Highway 82 at Old Snowmass.