Dense groves of aspen and pine blot out the views until the trail drops into an open rock field 1.3 miles in. Keep an eye on the terrain below you, as other climbers could be in the runout. Only 5 or 6 other climbers on Maroon Peak. Rain gear will be essential if necessary. After 2 hours into the day, full payment for the scheduled trip is due. Following the spine about 500 feet. It certainly didn't live up to the loose rock reputation as I was expecting. Good weather on way up, snowed and rained on way down. July, 2006: North Maroon seen from the summit of Maroon. There was a bunch of snow on the standard route so finding our way down was a little interesting at times. Bross 14,172’ AE requires a full credit card or cash/check payment to hold your reservation. Participants will travel in the backcountry and should be prepared for any or all weather conditions. All safety equipment including helmets, harnesses, ropes and anchors are included and lunch can be arranged. Climbed a few and want to push yourself? She wouldn't let me pass, gave me stink eye, came toward me...I seized the high ground and finally got past her, but she followed me for quite a while to make damn sure I was gone and off her mountain! Wonderful route, good snow climbing; first Elk Range summit, Climbed solo via standard route then traverse over to N. Maroon, Solo ascent of the Bell Cord Couloir. Scattered backcountry campsites pepper the surrounding woods. This section here looks a lot more difficult than it is. The Maroon Bells traverse from South Maroon, The Maroon Bells from Maroon Lake after our climb, Ragged Ridge - Katsuk, Kimtah and Cosho Peaks, South Early Winters Spire via SW Buttress, Mount Formidable NE Face 5.6 Second Ascent, Glacier Peak Wilderness Mountain Massacre, Mount Villard and The Granite Peaks Traverse - 5.4, Brimhall Canyon and Strike Valley Overlook, Elephant Butte, Bullwinkle Tower and Lizard Rock, Telescope Peak, Death Valley - February 2012, Lava Beds National Monument - August 2015, Hatcher Pass and Grapefruit Rocks Climbing, Grand Canyon Bright Angel Trail - November 2011, Beanfest at Cochise Stronghold - April 2016, Mexico - Pico de Orizaba, Izta - March 2012, Cordillera Blanca - Ishinca Peak and Artesonraju. Retrieved gear from the col and continued onto the traverse to N. Maroon. Readers around Aspen and Snowmass Village make the Aspen Times’ work possible. The terrain isn’t too difficult, and the hand holds and foot holds are great, but the down climb is a bit more daunting on the return. In the switchbacks near the top, the grade abates. July, 2018: Maroon Peak - morning and afternoon shots from 13,200' on the standard route. We took our time getting to Crater Lake and I shot some really nice sunrise photos. Let us help you summit the ones here in the Elk range, including South/North Maroon Peak, Pyramid Peak, Capitol Peak, Snowmass Peak, Castle Peak and Mount Elbert (the highest and one of the easier 14’ers). July, 2005: The Maroon Bells seen from Castle Peak. Within 7-14 days of your trip, we would be happy to work out a date to reschedule. It’s a long, strenuous ascent with sections of Class 3 scrambling on loose rock. Mounts Bierstadt and Evans via the Sawtooth. Full Guiding Service Based Out Of Aspen, Colorado. At the end of the ledge, the trail wraps into the final stretch. The best way to see the total grandeur of the rockies is to get up high. Click to view pano, 360° Panorama from the summit of North Maroon Peak. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. September, 2008: Pyramid from 13,000' on the standard route. There’s a little bit of exposure through here. The South Ridge is the standard climbing route up Maroon Peak. So much fun. The final 500 feet to the crest of the south ridge was the worst part. Go slow and keep watching for the cairns: they are there! Since he wasn't too busy with summer field session at the time he agreed and we met up at the Genesee park and ride around 2am on a Saturday. The split isn’t easy to spot. All Rights Reserved. The 2800 feet of suck. Start watching the north side of the trail for the unmarked branch to South Maroon Peak. Additional peaks, routes and areas are available upon request. One of the best ridge climbs I've done to date!! Sunrise on the Maroon Bells. ), and a 3% USFS land use surcharge. Here’s the first gully. Snow was REALLY BAD. We did South Maroon Peak first (very easy from the saddle) and then did North Maroon (not as easy). Varying degrees of difficulty and routes make the Colorado 14'ers a challenge for everyone. Exercise uphill with a moderate-sized pack. You will be provided with a helmet, harness, climbing equipment, ropes, and a pack as required. I thought the rock was better than it is reputed to be, then again, the scrambling on the Maroon standard route is not very difficult. Ran into one solo hiker on my way down, then four guys. Eolus 14,083’, Mt. Climbed it again the following day and successfully made the traverse. © 2006-2020 SummitPost.org. That was probably the hardest part of the day and the most worrisome part as well. This lake dries up in drought years, which can cause troubles for overnight backpackers looking for water to filter. Intended to do the traverse, but clouds socked in at decision making time. The ledges after the gully lead to a short stretch of class-3 terrain which gains about 150 feet. Awesome traverse though! The route begins on the west Maroon Creek trail and branches off towards Buckskin pass for a brief time before breaking off towards the north east ridge. At a large cairn, about 13,700 feet, turn left and climb onto a banded ledge. Descent off N. Maroon was precarious. It wouldn't be a bad idea to have a partner on this one, as route finding is … Colorado has 58, 14,000-foot peaks!