Please choose a different date. also goes left]. Updated: 8/2020 – Page refreshed, not re-hiked. If you approach from Rt. 1.5  – Buttermilk Falls wooden sign. Map: Map# 121 of the Kittatinny Trails map set. This trail starts across the river from the Visitors Center just on the opposite side of the modern Pleasant Valley Road bridge and winds up river about 1.2 miles. Plus, on older maps the trail to Hemlock Pond and the trail that circles Crater Lake were combined and marked ORANGE. No issues and enjoyable enough. 7/2019 – Re-hiked, description/online map updated, added photos and moved some older ones to their respective trail blog. This post may contain affiliate links. continues straight and meets with the A.T. in a bit.]. 1/2018 – Added winter parking note. It is in my opinion way better than Whistler. The view from this mountain is incredible! I did two consecutive days of group classes. [Buttermilk Falls (BLUE) ends]. ], 4.0  – Follow Crater Lake (ORANGE?) We took 3 full-day lessons with the Aspen Snowmass Ski School and our instructors were great. If you approach from the other direction, there may be portable toilets at Millbrook, and restrooms when it’s open. 3.9  – At the end of the lake, Crater Lake (ORANGE?) It will loop around and gently go downhill. It was our first time in Aspen and we chose Buttermilk out of the 4 mountains there for its reputation of being most suitable for beginners/intermediates. 5.0  – Continue along the pond edge and then turn LEFT down a faint trail. Not muddy. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Australia. At the intersection near Walpack Cemetery, turn left onto Mountain Road. There isn’t a large amount of elevation gain as you are riding along the river but it is rocky and rooty in several sections. Follow BLUE (Buttermilk Falls). There were orange blazes in this area. Map Key Favorites Check-Ins. 206 N, past Culver’s Lake. It's feels great to be one with nature! Turn LEFT to continue following Appalachian Trail (WHITE). This trail is a blast. It descends for about .2 miles to another parking lot. Buttermilk Trail is a 7.2 kilometer out and back trail located near Richmond, Virginia that features a river and is rated as moderate. Shortly, follow Appalachian Trail (WHITE) to the RIGHT, where it is co-joined with Crater Lake (ORANGE?). ———. Head steadily uphill with a few level sections. Trail Blog: “Buttermilk Falls, Crater Lake and Hemlock Pond Loop“Hiked: 10/4/09. At the top is a wooden platform hanging out a bit over the water. It was quite hassle-free. A shorter alternate loop (6.4 miles) from Buttermilk Falls can be found in Hiking New Jersey. It’s is fine with a regular car if you take it slow – but if you tool around in a really sweet ride you may want to have someone else drive :) or park at either end and walk down the road to the falls. 3.2  – Continue straight on Crater Lake (ORANGE?) This is a great trail to work on technical skills. Keep going on Mountain Road until you see a large dirt lot on the right with Buttermilk Falls on the left. Starting at 21st St. the Buttermilk Trail is to your left. At another junction with a woods road Hemlock Pond will be visible ahead. where the Appalachian Trail (WHITE) crosses it. Buttermilk is super for first timers with a short slope to cut your teeth on and then a super green run to progress to. Struggle bus today. Note: Google’s map data has the Appalachian Trail marked incorrectly in the area between Buttermilk Falls Trail and Crater Lake. Continue on Hemlock Pond (ORANGE) to the waters edge, where there is a spot to sit and get a view of the pond. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the date(s) you selected. While we did not ski, the weather was incredible here for January. [Continuing straight on Appalachian Trail (WHITE) is an alternate route. Their green and blue runs are much more forgiving than other mountains and the runs are. The current edition of Kittatinny Trails (2016) now has the blaze color of the trail around Crater Lake as “none” while Hemlock Pond is still ORANGE. ** This hike may be affected by parking or trail closures. There is some great beginner and intermediate runs to choose from. Decent trail. We’ve updated the description to use “Crater Lake (ORANGE? High resolution Aspen Buttermilk trail map including terrain & lift status. We highly recommend Buttermilk as a great place to learn to ski. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these at no cost to you. Walking stick or trekking poles are helpful if you have them. More walking than I’d care to admit and a lot of burps. 206, there are outhouses at the two Tillman Ravine parking lots on Mountain Rd. Mountain Road is a dirt road that has bumps and potholes – many are rather deep. Get spooky in Aspen with this ghost tour! You can also park on the other end at Walpack Cemetery but from there it’s almost a 2 mile walk down Mountain Road. This is a park road and doesn’t contain a street number. It is harder than North Bank but a ton of fun, trail little hilly little rocky little slippery but good times. 5.1  – Continue straight, now following Woods Road – this is actually called “Woods Road” on the map as opposed to the other unnamed woods roads. Alternate Parking: Parking can be approached from the other direction: North on Rt 602 through Millbrook, R onto park road 615 Walpack Flatbrook Road, R on Haney’s Mill, and cross a bridge on to Mountain Road, the falls parking is on the left about a mile in – although we feel the 206 way is easier. Rt. 1.1  – Continue on Buttermilk Falls (BLUE), crossing an unmarked Woods Road. Nice little walk around Richmond. 6.2  – Turn LEFT and again follow Buttermilk Falls (BLUE). Efficient friendly staff. Trail Blog: “Buttermilk Falls, Crater Lake, Hemlock Pond… and a bear hiking the AT“Hiked: 4/10/06. Then turn RIGHT to now follow the Appalachian Trail (WHITE) again. A large rock outcrop makes a good break spot with nice views of Hemlock Pond. Map kiosks and toilets are in the lot. 4.1  – At the sign for Hemlock Pond, continue straight to now follow Hemlock Pond (ORANGE). [Crater Lake (ORANGE?) The pond is somewhat visible through the trees on the right. 2.7  – Follow Appalachian Trail (WHITE) as it bears RIGHT, over a rock slab, to a little bit of a view. Pass a woods road on the left [this leads to Blue Mountain Lakes.]. /// Variation: Turn right and follow the woods road directly to Hemlock Pond. The snow was well groomed, the staff friendly, and facilities well-kept. A wonderful and shady hike that made for a fun and adventurous day out. Looking down the falls from a viewing platform, and towards a bridge: Continue across the wooden footbridge. 3.3 Miles 5.3 KM Point to Point. [A woods road continues straight as well.]. Then it’s about a .25 mile hike from the trailhead to the falls. Buttermilk Mountain is easily accessible whether you are staying in Snowmass or in Aspen. Great dog friendly trail... it was a nice trail I liked it and I think you will to. From the bridge, looking back at the top viewing platform at the edge of the falls and the stream. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. [A woods road also goes right which circles around the other side of Hemlock Pond.]. Buttermilk Falls after a recent heavy rain: Overview: Buttermilk Falls (BLUE) – Appalachian Trail (WHITE) – Crater Lake (ORANGE?) Snowmass also offers a bit larger bunny hill to practice on as you get your feet under you. (This used to be harder, especially if the water was high. [The informal path near the lake is not the trail.]. To continue following Crater Lake (ORANGE? – Appalachian Trail (WHITE) – Hemlock Pond (ORANGE) – Blue Mt Lake Trail (unmarked) – Woods Road (labeled as such on the map) – Buttermilk Falls (BLUE). Trying to locate these falls is part of the fun, and people sometimes don’t find them on the first attempt. Lame excuse, I know. Many roads in the area are gated in January or at first significant snowfall so if there is a gate up you’ll need to walk down Mountain Road to access the falls. We were impressed! ** Check the Trail Updates page before heading out. as it turns RIGHT. In just a bit, it turns LEFT. At the end, surely when the instructor almost gave up, I had, I have boarded all of the Aspen moutains and this is by far the best one for those of us who are still learning! Continue following Crater Lake (ORANGE?) [Crater Lake (ORANGE?) Ignore any side trails. On some. Orange blazes were visible on the Crater Lake Trail, however, as of our last hike 6/2019. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Full route.Hiked: 4/10/16. There are different programs for every level and they do a good job of placing at the right level. 2.4  – Sign for Hemlock Pond (ORANGE). Download area map for trail location. an easy woods road. 3.7  – Crater Lake Parking lot. A set of elaborate stairs can be climbed to get other views of the waterfall. You return down the same trail when you come to the end of this parcel of public property. Upper Buttermilk Trail The trail is easier than the road, but the road is not easy. We rented our equipment. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. TIE-HACK ROAD THE INN AT ASPEN Emergency Phone 970-920-0969 UNDER PERMIT FROM THE FOREST SERVICE USDA coo BUMPS MAIN BUTTERMILK 7,878 FT ROAD TO THE WEST Terrain Area Four Mountain Sports/D&E Flat Catwalk … It does not split in two, one of these trails is an unmarked trail. Kind of crowded and some bikers but everyone was nice, respected spaces, and gave forewarning when passing, Buttermilk trail is rated as moderate however it is quite technical. After bouncing over the rugged, high clearance dirt road beyond Bishop's Buttermilk Mountains, the Upper Buttermilk trail leads up to Longley Reservoir, wedged between the foot of Mt. The park map on the kiosk in the parking lot doesn’t denote colors for any trail. Retrace the route steeply downhill back to Buttermilk Falls. 1.4 – Pause on the climb up and turn around for a limited view. I had no skiing experience prior to this trip and now I am. Walk (or drive) north along Mountain road where there pull off area with room for 1, maybe 2 cars. Lovely venue one short bus trip from central Aspen. Very professional and friendly. Buttermilk Trail is a 4.5 mile out and back trail located near Richmond, Virginia that features a river and is rated as moderate. Turn RIGHT to now follow Crater Lake (ORANGE?). Humphreys and Basin Mountain. Buttermilk Mountain is easily accessible whether you are staying in Snowmass or in Aspen. A power line is visible along the woods road. The view from this mountain is incredible! Staff were friendly and the mountain is gorgeous. We stayed in Aspen Village, there was free transportation every 15 minutes offered. 4.9  – At the end of the Pond turn RIGHT. And if you're on the fence, it hosts X Games, how about that? This place is great for families, too. able to ski on the green zone. Winter Parking/Road Closures: Buttermilk Falls is accessed just across the road from the parking lot – except during the winter or other closures. )” and “Hemlock Pond (ORANGE)”. Left onto Struble Road. [A woods road goes right and leads to the “Mount Paradise” area marked on the map. None at the Falls parking. Love both! Not a lot of people for a Monday morning.