Karl Wolfgang, 02/27/2020 Hunter Creek Trail. Aspen is most well known for its amazing skiing, millionaire patrons, and playing host to perhaps the greatest comedy of all time . From Snowmass Base Village, the Elk Camp Gondola sweeps through the trees and ends amid Lost Forest and … A high altitude region dominated by pine, aspen, and mixed conifer forests, it’s a beloved summertime stomping grounds among Arizona’s adventurers. Hiking up the mountain people ski down will give you a new appreciation for chair lifts. Catherine Lutz The Minimalist doesn’t sport the spiffy exposed waterproof zippers that have become standard on high-tech outerwear, but their absence saves you a hundred bucks—plus, the zippers don’t catch. ABC Trail: Easy – 2.5 Miles – Walk, Run, Fat Bike, Dog Friendly – Plowed Snow; Ashcroft Ski Touring Trails: By Find a trail. Check out the jaw-dropping view of the Maroon Bells and ride the lift back down. The best hikes near Aspen, CO. You'll see some of the easier hikes that start there along with directions, and other good information. Not everyone does. One of the easiest, most interesting kid hikes in the area is the Grottos, which can be found nine miles east of Aspen off Highway 82. Most—probably three-quarters—of the hike starts at the top of the rope. Red Mountain Trail (Jeanne Golay Trail/Red Mountain Road. To access the trailhead, take Castle Creek Road until you pass the ghost town of Ashcroft. The Maroon Bells near Aspen, Colorado, offer several hikes and some of the most beautiful scenery in the Rocky Mountains. The mountains surrounding Aspen and Snowmass are awash with fields of wildflowers and extensive groves of aspen, offering hikes that vary with the seasons, within seasons, and even throughout the day as light and moisture change. Dear Meredith: Is It Okay to Stay in My Aspen Bubble During Covid-19? Buckskin Pass Your Hikes » Buckskin Pass to Snowmass Lake, Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Crowds thin less than three miles into this 16-mile round-trip. All items available at Ute Mountaineer.—Michael Miracle, Late summer is an ideal time for the short-but-sweet hike to Linkins Lake, which lies in an open, glacial cirque near Independence Pass. This guidebook includes concise descriptions and detailed maps of mostly short, easy-to-follow trails that lead to some of the most scenic places in the state - without taking you to the physical extremes. Short but moderately steep, the trail is easy enough for kids, and it leads to a large, quintessentially spectacular alpine lake. 14.7km 1,113m 6-8h Often compared to the world-famous Maroon Bells near Aspen, this is a hike that sticks with you. Along the first half of the hike, the wildflower fields look like rainbows that have shattered into a million pieces, from vibrantly red paintbrush to sunflower-yellow ragwort to tall, deep purple larkspur. If you and your family are only going to do one hike while you’re in Aspen, this is probably the one you’ll want to do. When asked to pick the most do-everything shoe he’s ever tried, Ute Mountaineer’s Damon Giordano pointed straight to the Drifter. 6 to the south trailhead behind the Mountain View condos. Hiking Guides & Outfitters Hiking Trails Aspen Hiking Guides & Outfitters Search Aspen Hiking Guides & Outfitters Keyword Reset. Allow yourself ample time at this soulful place before the descent, which offers panoramic views across the Castle Creek Valley and ends in a picturesque aspen forest. Pair either shoe with Vermont-made Darn Tough’s one-quarter cushion sock ($16). By Unless there is a seasonal closure, there’s nothing to limit you from enjoying any trail during the Winter months. Author: Ted Alvarez Updated: Feb 14, 2017 Original: Sep 17, 2010. Available at Aspen’s Marmot store and smartwool.com. By For info & grooming reports call the Aspen/Snowmass Nordic Hotline – (970) 429-2039. This hike traverses two scenic valleys with pretty lakes separated by a panoramic pass. Be sure to download our Free Hiking Guide to help you prepare and pack smart for your dayhikes near Denver. Meadow Mountain Meadow Mountain overlooks ranges and winds through aspen groves. Camp three miles up the road at Elk Wallow, a remote, seldom-visited National Forest campground with seven lovely sites and an outhouse. You’ll discover adventurous hiking and a Utah-style sandstone wonderland that seems utterly out of place in Colorado. Stroll along a stream to view the aspen trees that lead to Rampart Reservoir. If you are a serious hiker, you can cross the reservoir for a harder path.Show more Hikes near towns such as Breckenridge, Vail, and Aspen will be included in this area. Photography by Use 1 or all 4 drop downs to customize your search for the right trail. Leaving the valley, the trail switchbacks up a steep slope to a saddle west of Leahy Peak and continues west to reach Electric Pass at 13,500 feet. The hikes in this area are commonly at higher altitudes and will often start at 9,000 or 10,000 feet above sea level. A fixed rope hanging alongside the falls makes it possible to continue on only if you dare. In terms of something-for-everyone appeal, no outdoor activity can match hiking. Katie Hankinson Photography, 04/15/2019 September is the best time of the year to see the changing aspens in Colorado, particularly during the 3rd and 4th weeks when they hit their peak splendor of golds, oranges, reds. Lastly, keep in mind that kids don’t move as quickly as grownups. The effort pays off in stunning views. This type of pack will allow your child to take a break while the rest of your party keeps going. And of those hundreds, none can beat Electric Pass, the highest named pass in the state. Take Frying Pan Road roughly twenty-seven miles east from downtown Basalt and make a left on North Fork Road. —CL, The 2,000-vertical-foot climb to Cathedral Lake can be considered a longer, harder, and higher-altitude version of Aspen’s popular Smuggler Trail. Known for its bustling town and world-class skiing, Aspen is also a great place to hike. Red rock predominates, and at times, as you follow a tortuous creek bed into the hills, the encroaching cliffs loom so close you’ll be forced to turn sideways as you pass. When you’re not hiking through aspen trees, you’re looking at them. Descending toward Technicolor-blue Lost Man Lake feels like entering a fairytale kingdom, especially when the wildflowers are in bloom. Part of the hike, across a bridge to reach a pleasant picnic area, is wheelchair-accessible. If you don’t feel like hiking, take a walk around Maroon Lake. Find this waterfall hike near Telluride. If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device. Ali Margo For the truly fit looking for an aerobic workout, the Ute Trail is a steep, strenuous hike that can be easily accessed from downtown Aspen. An in-town classic is the Rim Trail, which ascends and traverses a ridge contouring the Brush Creek Valley and offers expansive views in all directions. hikes in Aspen 01. By itself on a blustery autumn day, the full-zip jacket’s nylon outer cuts the wind, while a lining of super soft (and thin) Merino wool wicks moisture, adds warmth, and feels scrumptious on your skin. Whether that’s good or bad is up to you. But keep an eye on little ones, and the whole family will enjoy this popular area. (The gondola ride down is free. To prove it, we broke out our topo maps to find four types of hikes—easy, epic, classic, and unknown—within five bigger categories, from kid-friendly to overnights.Your job is simple: lace up your trail-worthy kicks, slather on some sunscreen, and start hoofing it. The trailhead starts in Divide, Colorado near the Crags Campground. But we can assure you it’s worth finding, so ask around. The path climbs slowly to a beautiful cascading waterfall, passing through aspen forests along the way, crisscrossing over the creeks. Additionally, Snowmass ski area has been aggressively developing their on-mountain trail network for runners, hikers and bikers alike. The reservoir is great for picnicking and/or fishing. From the pass wonderful views extend to the peaks and ridges of the Continental Divide, the Hunter-Fryingpan Wilderness and the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness. Olive & West Photography, 02/20/2020 All the fun of backpacking without the weight. Kenosha Pass may be the best place to soak in the miles upon miles and mountains behind mountains of golden aspens in the Fall. Casey Russell | crussell@vaildaily.com It’s not for the faint of heart, and we can’t officially recommend it, but Seven Castles is the most surprising hike in the Aspen area. Difficulty: Difficult Length: 2.4 miles round trip Elevation Gain: 1700 feet Photography by The descent is through some of the most riotously colorful wildflower fields in central Colorado. You’ll find willow thickets, meadows full of wildflowers, and pine forests festooned with mushrooms (weather permitting). Even if you don’t find the lake, the foliage and scenery make Tabor Creek worth the trip. From the upper Linkins Lake trailhead (18.5 miles east of Aspen on Highway 82), the trail soon veers left, ascending steeply at times through tundra painted by a variety of wildflowers that bloom in July and August. Parking at Aspen Grove requires a $6 parking pass, but it’s good for three days. By —TH, Hike time: 10–12 hours round-tripAbility level: 2, A trek that attracts backpackers from around the country, the Four-Pass Loop is actually one of the few multiday options in the Aspen area that doesn’t involve retracing steps on an out-and-back route. —TH, Hike time: 2–4 hours round-tripAbility level: 1–2, More an epic day than an epic hike, this one has something for kids of all ages. The hiking in Aspen gives the skiing a run for its money. The spectacular view looks northeast into the Hunter-Fryingpan Wilderness. From the heart of downtown Aspen, the Silver Queen Gondola delivers guests to the peak at 11,200 feet, where endless vistas and flower-laden hiking trails await. Take the bus from Aspen Highlands to the Maroon Bells visitor center. It all depends on a unique mix of temperatures, moisture, and a host of other factors determined by Mother Nature. Photography by Each (literally) breathtaking climb seems to be rewarded by fields of flora: clustered around rocks along the rushing creek descending Minnehana Gulch, in the verdant alpine meadows above treeline with Buckskin Pass in sight, and finally, blanketing the steep hillside cut by switchbacks on the final grunt to the 12,462-foot pass. Use the drop downs to find the perfect park. There’s a waterfall and a spectacular lake up there, we promise. 7/1/2013 at 12:01am Utah Valley Treks: 14 Best Hikes Near Provo, Utah. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Hiking at the Right Time. Don’t feel like hoofing it up the hill? Surrounded on three sides by three different Wilderness areas, Aspen and nearby Snowmass offer an extensive network of local trails right from the edge of town, as well as numerous options and access points for larger wilderness hiking adventures. The Lost Man Trail. First of all, remember that the sun shines brighter at this altitude. NOTE: The Roaring Fork Valley has a wide range of altitudes and different areas experience different temperatures and lengths of Winter. Dallas & Harris Photography, 03/11/2020 But what’s that? You can grind up them, or ride lifts to the top and coast down. For more information on nordic centers and groomed nordic trails in Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley, see our page Nordic Centers and Systems. An aspen-viewing alternative to those lost in the Cameron Peak Fire is this paved road that takes you into the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest, which also offers aspen-viewing hikes. As... 2. There’s the ever-present, snowmelt-fed creek rushing down the path the glacier once did, slowing and meandering in flat spots now fashioned into beaver ponds. By Mount Sopris. But while the product is unpredictable, the timing is generally consistent. This hike starts from one of the most photogenic lakes in the entire... 02. Have a nice long soak, enjoy the views, and don’t bogart the joint or the bottle when they’re passed your way. Pyramid Peak, accessible via the 7.2-mile Pyramid Peak Trail, looms over Crater Lake and provides some of the most stunning views of the region’s wildflowers. Cindy Hirschfeld Photography by At about 3 miles, you reach a beautiful aspen grove with a mellow incline, which is a good place to turn around for a shorter hike. Bring a map. Climb the trail to Catherdral Lake below the soaring cliffs of Cathedral Peak. During the Winter, there are also nordic specific trails that are groomed when the conditions are right. Of all the classic hikes in the Aspen area, this popular trek may be the most classic. Top 10 Aspen Hikes 1. —CL, Hike time: 1 hour round-tripAbility level: 2, Although it’s hard to get lost on the Lost Man Loop, which follows two river drainages and is marked by three alpine lakes, the feeling of being incredibly far from civilization is frequently palpable. Sunnyside Trail in Aspen A nice escape from town, the Sunnyside Trail gives you maximum sunshine and a wonderful hike with great views overlooking the airport. Aspen is most well known for its amazing skiing, millionaire patrons, and playing host to perhaps the greatest comedy of all time . A slightly longer hike will take you to the cascades, a series of scenic pools and waterfalls along the Roaring Fork River. However, due to issues regarding private property, environmental sensitivity, potential danger, and local etiquette, we can’t tell you how to find the trail. Piney River Ranch, near Vail. And should you tire of looking at them, cascading falls and dramatic views … As the outdoors aphorism goes, a pound on your foot is like five on your back. The Maroon Bells are my favorite spot in the state, and I think they are the first best place to explore a few Aspen Colorado hiking trails. —CL, Hike time: 7 hours each wayAbility level: 3, An advantage of being almost entirely surrounded by public lands is that Aspen and Snowmass offer several hikes you don’t need a private vehicle to access. They wanted an epic hiking elopement with both mountain views (Marcela's fave) and an intimate forest (Vasily's fave) so I found one of the most stunning hidden-gem hikes I've ever scouted near Aspen CO —s o that they could experience both on their day. There are two trailheads—you can start from Owl Creek Road near Sinclair Divide or hike up Assay Hill under the Elk Camp Gondola until the singletrack trail enters the woods on the left—and it connects seamlessly to other trails on the mountain at various junctures. Here you’ll find Winter trails listed by towns – Aspen, Ashcroft, Snowmass, Basalt, Carbondale, Redstone, Marble, Glenwood Springs, and Rifle. So if you'd like to see the Maroon Bells for yourself, do visit my Maroon Bells page. Great for hiking with family or friends, with a small reservoir at the end. Photography by —CL, Hike time: 15 minutes to the observation platformAbility level: 1 (observation platform), It’s a bit of a drive from Aspen, but this high-altitude trail has a lot going for it—and a surprise twist at the end. But that’s not the sole reason to do it. Freed from the constraints of day hikes, you can leave civilization even further behind. Give yourself plenty of time to stop and explore along the way. Aspen trees typically change in September, usually peaking around the third week, while scrub oaks and other foliage can paint hillsides with color well into October. —TH, Hike time: 30 minutes round-tripAbility level: 1. The trail curves around a marshy section of Lost Man Creek before continuing its gradual descent of the valley through fragrant evergreens and past Lost Man Reservoir to the trailhead, four highway miles below where you started. The hike in is almost entirely uphill, at a fairly easy grade. Jane Gendron, Cindy Hirschfeld, and Ted Katauskas, 07/14/2020 Photography by When you’re not hiking through aspen trees, you’re looking at them. It seems impossible, given where you are, and it adds an interesting discovery to a pleasant hike. Of course, no one’s suggesting you hike naked (well, maybe just once, though please not on Smuggler), but after appropriate footwear, the only hiking gear you really need is a solid shell. It’s a Rocky Mountain landscape painted with cascades, lakes, golden aspens, and all against the backdrop of the peaks of the Maroon Bells. Amanda M. Faison and Olive & West Photography, 07/19/2020 The hiking in Aspen gives the skiing a run for its money. Of course, as much as most people love camping, not everyone likes backpacking, especially if they have kids. The first two weeks of August can also be good, as long as the summer monsoons come. By —TH, Hike time: 3 hours of driving from Aspen and back,2–5 hours of hikingAbility level: 2. Second, kids get thirsty and hungry more quickly than adults, so always bring enough water and snacks to keep the rugrats well fueled. There are many reasons to visit Telluride, and one of them is Bridal Veil Falls , Colorado’s tallest waterfall, plunging 365 feet down the canyon. When do Aspens Change in Colorado? The best time to view wildflowers is the last two weeks of July, according to naturalist Janis Huggins, author of Wild at Heart, a local field guide to plants and animals. Location: Fulford. Catherine Lutz and Todd Hartley Take a right on Lincoln Creek Road and go 6.1 miles. And should you tire of looking at them, cascading falls and dramatic views … The Maroon Bells offer several hikes and some of the most beautiful scenery in Colorado. At times the trail opens up to views of snowcapped peaks ringing the valley, such as Capitol Peak (14,130 feet) and Snowmass Mountain (14,098 feet). Often compared to the world-famous Maroon Bells near Aspen, this is a hike that sticks with you. Rio Grande Trail. So if you'd like to see the Maroon Bells for yourself, do visit my Maroon Bells page. Britta Briscoe And after a jaunt through old-growth conifer forest, it ends at Snowmass Lake, the still turquoise waters a picture-perfect backdrop for forays above the several campsites near the lake. A new network of trails in Skyline Park can be looped for miles and offers an alternate way to connect Snowmass and Aspen. The main attraction at the Grottos, however, is the ice cave, so named because ice persists in its shady depths well into the summer. Some of the best fall colors can be seen in this area. Aspen Sojourner. Difficulty Full of aspen and pine groves, the … There you’ll discover interactive displays, an indoor trout stream, and some new animal friends, including the resident golden eagle and great horned owl, possibly heretofore-unknown critters for your little ones. By Crater Lake Trail. The trail, which starts at the Linkins Lake trailhead (also called the Upper Lost Man trailhead, 18.5 miles east of Aspen on Highway 82), follows the upper Roaring Fork River to its source at Independence Lake, then climbs a 12,815-foot pass with expansive views on both sides. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Aspen, spruce, and pine stand along the trail, including several large bristlecones. —TH, Hike time: 40 minutes around the lake, potentially hours on siteAbility level: 1, Hiking with kids presents a unique set of challenges, as anyone whose child has bonked mid-hike can tell you. Hike the trail to Cathedral Lake and then, after visiting the lake or just before you get to it, follow an obvious trail into a hanging valley to the north. The trailhead is near Eagle, and wildflowers are abundant in the area now. If you’re looking for panoramic vistas but don’t have the time or risk tolerance to climb a peak, it’s hard to beat one of Colorado’s hundreds of mountain passes. La Sportiva’s Ultra Raptor ($130, in red below) shows why: sticky outsoles provide all-weather traction; torsional rigidity gives it stability (sole stiffness has a bigger effect than cuff height on whether you roll your ankle); and toe bumpers let you amble into trail detritus with abandon. From there—and at that altitude—the view west across the Conundrum Creek Valley toward Pyramid Peak and the Maroon Bells is breathtaking, both literally and figuratively. At 12,095 feet, Independence Pass marks a high point on Highway 82, twenty miles east of Aspen, that’s surrounded by treeless, windswept tundra. The Marmot Minimalist ($200) remains an old standby for good reason: it’s truly waterproof and lasts-for-a-decade durable. Explore the Five trail options, Maps, and Driving Directions. Piney River Ranch, near Vail. The easy trail is 2.6 miles round trip and takes about 1.5 hours. Grottos Trail. Presented below are Tour Companies that offer guided hiking trips and adventures in and near Aspen. In clear weather, hike up the ridges on either side of the parking lot and earn even more glimpses into pristine alpine wilderness. Not only is there a feeling of accomplishment upon completing the twenty-seven-mile circuit, but you gain an intimate knowledge of the Maroon Bells–Snowmass Wilderness shared by a relative few. The trail is at high elevation, beginning at about 8,000 feet and ending at about 11,200 feet. If you’re looking for pristine lakes or babbling creeks, the Aspen area’s got an amazing selection, but if you want waterfalls, there’s only one hike! Those bold enough to climb the rope and make their way around the trail’s other obstacles can find two more large waterfalls and many smaller ones, plus a massive amphitheater of towering cliffs and sculpted hoodoos. Click on any name for more detailed information. Climbing the 3,300-vertical-foot rise of Aspen Mountain is another hard-core local tradition—either from downtown Aspen or the popular Ute Trail, a steep, switchbacking trail on the eastern edge of town accessed by bike or the Crosstown Shuttle. The hike’s opening stretch, up a scenic, steep-walled valley, is reasonably flat and good for trail running. The biggest challenge can be trying to do this natural art justice with a camera. If you’re one of those folks, this combo allows you to camp and hike without having to carry all your gear on your back. By —TH, Hike time: 1.5–4 hours round-tripAbility level: 4. Take Village Shuttle bus no. The outline of a peak or the view from a pass may be permanent, but hike a trail in July or September and the flowers and foliage can make your journey an entirely different experience. Ride the gondola from the Snowmass Base Village to Elk Camp, which has mountain biking trails, paintball, disc golf, Eurobungy, and a climbing wall. If there’s a nip in the air, the SmartWool PhD Teller Jacket ($160) adds colder-weather versatility to the Marmot. Photography by Great for hiking with family or friends, with a small reservoir at the end. By Top Salida Hiking Trails: See reviews and photos of hiking trails in Salida, Colorado on Tripadvisor. The hike itself is not too bad, at just 1.8 miles each way to the top with an elevation gain of 1,650 feet. Provided by: Ted Mahon. Fortunately, Aspen has a plethora of hikes and walks that don’t require thousands of feet of elevation gain. The Aspen Mountain Summer Road is a winding challenge with plenty of views. And nowhere does that ring truer than in the Roaring Fork Valley, where routes range from flat, paved saunters you can tackle with a stroller to multiday camping trips that require huffing over four mountain passes. Nolan Lake. However, with the right gear and a little preparation, most unpleasantness can be avoided. If you want to get away from the crowds, however, continue on the trail a couple more miles to Crater Lake, a beautiful tarn set in a basin at the foot of the world-famous Maroon Bells. By Day Hiking Areas Flagstaff Ranger District The Flagstaff Ranger District encompasses nearly 850,000 acres of National Forest lands around the Flagstaff area, from Mormon Lake and Anderson Mesa to north of the San Francisco Peaks. —CL. At the far shore, a rough trail leads to another large lake that may be even prettier. You still get Gore-Tex Paclite as the waterproof membrane, and the Minimalist packs down to a cantaloupe-size ball. Loch Lake via All Trails. It's understandable that a lot of people aren't aware that this Colorado ski town actually has really easy access to incredible hiking and backpacking trails. Photo by Nan Palmero under CC BY 2.0 This is a great introduction to hiking in the area. Illustrations by —TH. Aspen Sojourner Staff The falls are a wonderful place for a picnic, and the hike isn’t too difficult, making this one of the most satisfying day hikes in Vail. Amanda M. Faison The trail that runs on both sides of 285 is easy to moderate, and because it is part of the Colorado Trail system, it seems to go on forever. See? If you’re going for a longer hike, invest in a kid carrier. Desert dwellers escape the heat for the cool of Flagstaff’s hiking trails, while the locals know the summer weather is the #1 reason to live in Flag. Just beyond the fourth flower-filled meadow after you enter the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness Area, leave the trail and head uphill to your right. Best Easy Day Hikes Aspen directs you to some of the best short hiking trails near Aspen. Try this hike. Part of the hike, across a bridge to reach a pleasant picnic area, is wheelchair-accessible. Loch Lake. By Bear bites hiker near Aspen Colorado Parks and Wildlife said the woman was hiking on a trail near Aspen on Memorial Day when the bear charged and bit her. It is located near Aspen, CO right off of Cooper Ave (CO-82/Independence Pass). Above treeline and nearer to Grizzly Lake are swaths of more delicate-looking alpine plants: cobalt blue alpine forget-me-nots that reflect the sky, dreamy lavender moss campion, and a profusion of snowy white bistort blanketing the moist meadows. By It’s an otherworldly feeling to be surrounded by aspen trees in their full autumn glory, sunshine infusing the canopy with a golden glow and a soft carpet of the distinctly shaped leaves underfoot. Find a park. A classic local day hike, the six-mile Smuggler-Hunter Creek loop has trailheads along the free Hunter Creek bus route, or via WE-Cycle (we-cycle.org), Aspen’s new bike-share system. Aspen Trail Finder Winter Trail Map (Aspen, Snowmass, Basalt, Carbondale, Glenwood Springs), For info & grooming reports call the Aspen/Snowmass Nordic Hotline – (970) 429-2039, Aspen/Snowmass Nordic Hotline for Info & Grooming Report – (970) 429-2039, Sunlight Mountain Resort Cross Country Ski Center, Spring Gulch Nordic Trail System Trails: (Click to expand), Sunlight Mountain Resort Cross Country Trails (Click to expand). Julie Comins Views are spectacular - such a great town to visit! Take Castle Creek Road to Conundrum Creek Road and follow it to the parking lot at the end. An adjunct to the Cathedral Lake Trail, Electric Pass adds a few hours but is a worthy destination that offers a look deep into the heart of the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. Take Castle Creek Road about twelve miles to a short dirt road leading to the Cathedral Lake trailhead. Jen Gillette, 05/20/2020 From there, get some exercise by hiking about 1.5 miles to the top of the Elk Camp chairlift. Photography by The leaves turn orange and yellow in the fall, and the area feels more like the Sierra Nevada than Big Bear. To get there, drive ten miles east of Aspen on Highway 82. Why it’s magical: Bear Creek Preserve is one of the most popular places to hike near Telluride, and for good reason. Knowing the conditions of the trail can radically effect your adventure. —TH. 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