About | Bel Young Guide — West Maroon Guides and Lodging

We're artists, makers, and mountain guides who have called the Gunnison Valley home our whole lives. What we do is simple: take people into the alpine and let the mountains do what they've always done — quiet the noise, spark something new, and remind you who you are. Whether you paint, write, photograph, or just need to hit reset, there's a place for you out here.

Who We Are

Your Guides

A woman with long, curly red hair wearing a wide-brimmed straw hat and a sleeveless denim vest, standing in a field of yellow and white flowers with mountains in the background, under a cloudy sky, smiling at the camera.

Bel Young

With a vision for building something meaningful, Bel has blended her passions for the outdoors, art, and bringing people together. She is the founder, the lead guide, and the artist behind West Maroon Guides & Mentality to Reality.

Bel has 6 years of guiding experience in all seasons. She is a born and raised Crested Butte local with deep roots in the West Elk Mountains. You can find her with glitter on her cheeks and a drawing pad in her hand, as she shares what makes these mountains special.

Guide, Artist & Founder

A man with long blond hair and a beard standing outdoors in autumn, wearing a light-colored shirt with decorative black patterns, in front of trees with yellow and brown leaves.

Adam Sampson

Adam is the foundation for the West Maroon Guides & Lodging operation. He is a multi talented business partner who can simultaneously guide and fix anything at the cabin. He has roots in Salida, CO and enjoys kayaking, mountain biking, and traveling.

This summer he will be building a new sauna and bathhouse for the property!

Operations Manager

A white curly-haired dog sitting in a grassy area on a hillside overlooking a mountain lake with steep rocky slopes in the background.

Baxter

Baxter is our pup! He will likely join on hikes and adventures. He is very well trained and has limited access inside the cabin as he is primarily our working dog. He is an Australian Cattle dog and Standard poodle mix, a Cattle-Doodle!

If you are uncomfortable with dogs please let us know during the booking process and we will ensure he is not on the property during your stay.

Adventure Pal

A wooden house on a hill surrounded by green pine trees, with a balcony and large glass windows.

Bel’s family built the cabin in 2014 as a basecamp for adventure. It is a place for people to connect to themselves, nature, and loved ones. We are excited to open the doors of this special place for other to enjoy.

Situated just above 10,000’ and ½ a mile from the West Maroon Trailhead, it is the ultimate destination for those hiking from Aspen to Crested Butte. With lush forests, endless wildflower fields, waterfalls with crystal clear pools, and emerald lake just over the hill. Join us to experience what makes this place special.

Our Adventure Basecamp

A vibrant field of purple and yellow wildflowers with mountains in the background under a cloudy sky.

2026 Offerings

Two women sitting in a cozy rustic cabin, smiling and talking, with large windows showing tall trees outside. The woman on the left has long, wavy brown hair, is wearing a hat, a jacket, and jeans. The woman on the right has long blonde hair, is wearing a grey cap, a black jacket, and shorts. The table in front has various items, and there is a framed mountain poster on the wall.

Experiences

Guided backcountry experiences designed to reset the mind.

Private Cabin
Chef Prepared Meals
Guided Hiking of the Area

Experiences

Hiker walking along rocky terrain near a mountain lake with colorful mountains and partly cloudy sky in the background.

Day Hikes

Explore world renound trails or venture off the beaten path.

Guided Hiking of the Area
Wild Flower Tours
Waterfalls & High Alpine Lakes

Day Hikes

A mountainous landscape with green forests, a small lake, and misty clouds covering the mountain peaks.

Art at Altitude

Replenish the inner artist on a four day artist retreat.

Plein Art Painting
Chef Prepared Meals
Guided Hiking of the Area

Art at Altitude

Mentality to Reality is a brand built from the love of beauty and function. Bel Young, merged the two to create pieces for daily life in the mountains and beyond.

Leather mittens and gloves are hand detailed with landscape drawings and waterproofed with beeswax. Each pair is an original piece of art with a purpose.

Traditional block printing methods are used to up-cycle vintage clothing and bring a new life to old things. Collecting vintage peices, hand carving the stamps, and creating something new is the background of it all.