Maroon Lake
Elk Mountains, Colorado · 9,580 ft
Typical peak
Sep 15 – Sep 23
low confidence in typical timing.
Best light
Best at sunrise
Classic view faces SW (232°)
Two 14,000-foot peaks sit directly above the outlet of a shallow glacial lake, with aspen ringing the shoreline and the inlet meadow. Still water before eight in the morning holds the full reflection, and a 24-35mm frame from the northeast shore keeps both peaks and the aspen.
Seasonal model estimate. Timing remains uncertain; check recent reports before traveling. Source: seasonal timing model. Calculated .
Crowds
extreme
Expect heavy peak-weekend traffic; consider a weekday or arrive before dawn.
Getting there
Drive or shuttle up Maroon Creek Road from CO 82 west of Aspen with a timed reservation, then walk 200 yards from the day-use lot to the shore.
What turns here
- quaking aspen
Color progression
Typical peak Sep 19Typical color progression for Maroon Lake. No change from Aug 12 to Aug 29. First color from Aug 29 to Sep 7. Approaching peak from Sep 7 to Sep 15. Peak from Sep 15 to Sep 23. Past peak from Sep 23 to Oct 3. Bare from Oct 3 to Oct 17.
Leaves are typically down on Nov 1, 2026. Color starts around Aug 29.
This season so far
First frost
Oct 15
12 nights at or below 32°F since Aug 1.
Last 14 days
51°F / 31°F
Average daily high and low.
Modeled weather for these coordinates from the Open-Meteo historical archive, Aug 1 – Oct 31; not a station record. Reported peak is the median date of approved peak-color reports.
Plan the light
Maroon Lake on September 19, 2026, the center of its typical peak window.
| Event | Time |
|---|---|
| First light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon | 6:25 AM |
| Sunrise Rises E · 87° | 6:52 AM |
| Morning golden hour ends 35 min of low, warm light | 7:27 AM |
| Solar noon Highest sun, flattest light | 1:01 PM |
| Evening golden hour starts 35 min before sunset | 6:35 PM |
| Sunset Sets W · 272° | 7:10 PM |
| Last light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon | 7:37 PM |
Times in America/Denver · day length 12h 18m · computed from NOAA solar equations.
Local terrain can hide the sun; allow extra time to reach your viewpoint.
Which way to point the camera
Sunrise: front-lit
Sun behind you. Flat, even light — accurate color, little drama. Good for wide valley scenes, weak for single trees.
Sunset: backlit
Sun behind the canopy — leaves glow translucent. The shot most people are after. Expect flare; a hood or a hand helps.
Classic composition faces SW (232°).
Shooting conditions
Glassy water, wind blur, and what the cloud will do to your light.
Recent reports
What people actually saw here. Been recently? Add yours.
Nearby locations
Within 100 miles in a straight line; road distances can be longer.