Just past Maroon Lake is the Crater Lake Trail. It ascends 600 feet over 1.4 miles to a seasonal lake. The trail begins going through a dense aspen forest. The trees here were in a mix of states - some at peak color and some with most of their leaves gone.

The trail eventually gets rockier as it ascends and half way through breaks out of the forest and into a rocky exposed area. This portion has really great views of the surrounding peaks including occasional views of the Maroon Bells. There are clumps of aspen here and there giving color to the landscape. At this higher altitude, there were more groves that were well past peak. After going through some increasingly rocky terrain, it eventually descends to Crater Lake.

Overall, not a difficult hike at all. It does take place at 10,000 feet though so the altitude can get you a bit if you aren't acclimated.