Getting around Aspen by bus

Sunset, July, 1984

Even without crowds of skiers, the compact mountain town of Aspen can be difficult to get around. An expanded free bus system is especially helpful to visitors to the popular Aspen Music Festival (June 29 to August 24), as well as to hikers. Buses run daily 8 a.m to 10 p.m., leaving every half-hour from Rubey Park and heading up to the festival site and back.

Four other bus routes run from downtown to city stops and hiking trailheads; Mountain Valley bus takes you to the Independence Pass trails, Highlands bus to the Castle Creek hiking area, Silver King to the Ute Trail, and Snow Bunny to the Red Butte area. These buses run from 7 a.m. to midnight daily. The road from town into the popular and scenic Maroon Bells area is closed to autos from July 1 through Labor Day, but you can take a bus tour ($1.50; buses run every half-hour 8:30 to 5 daily). For schedules and trail maps, stop in at the Wheeler Opera House Visitor Center at 324 E. Hyman Avenue; it's open 9 to 6 daily.