Members story

Chasing Sunrise at Maroon Bells

By Alex Fernandes

My first Colorado adventure began with a 4:30 AM drive from Carbondale to Maroon Bells in pursuit of a perfect sunrise. Along the way, I encountered foxes, moose, chilly mountain air, and even a low-gas scare before witnessing one of the most breathtaking sunrises in the Rockies. Here’s my experience and a practical guide for planning your own unforgettable visit.

Maroon Bells View and Lake reflection of Bell mountains

Members

The rest of this story is for members

Premium opens member stories, guides you can keep, and the fuller trip planner. Hotels stay bookable either way.

Comments

Checking sign-in…

Loading comments…

Cookie settings

Choose what can load. You can change this anytime from the footer.

  • Necessary

    Sign-in, cart, checkout (Stripe), security checks, theme and language. Always on.

  • Preferences

    Optional helpers from partners, such as the Nuitée booking assistant on the trip planner.

  • Analytics

    Anonymous visit and click counts (Google Analytics, when enabled) that show which guides help.

  • Marketing & embeds

    Instagram Reels, Google Maps, Viator experience widgets and the Buy Me a Coffee button. These partners set their own cookies and may use them for ads.

See every cookie we use