wildernet

Aspen Ranger District

Quick Facts

Maroon Peak

Beginning Elevation:	9,600 Feet (2992.5 Meters) Maroon Lake Trailhead
Difficulty:	More Difficult
Elevation Gain, One-way:	4,600 Feet (1433.9 Meters)
Ending Elevation:	14,156 Feet (4412.7 Meters) Summit, Maroon Peak
Length, One-way:	10 Miles (16.67 Kilometers)
Other Maps:	Trails Illustrated #128 Maroon Bells, Redstone, Marble
USGS Maps:	Maroon Bells

		Satellite and Topo Map

General Description

Maroon Peak is one of the peaks within the Maroon Bells grouping. The three peaks in this group are Maroon, North Maroon and Pyramid Peaks. The Bells were named by the men in the Hayden survey during the 1870s for their bell-like shape. The elevation of Maroon Peak is 14,156'. The Maroon Bells are located in the Maroon Bell - Snowmass Wilderness Area southwest of Aspen.

Directions from Aspen: Drive 1/2 mile west of Aspen on Highway 82 and turn left onto Maroon Creek Road at the roundabout. Keep right and continue 9 1/2 miles to the Maroon Lake Parking Area.From mid-June through September, the Maroon Creek Road is closed from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and you will need to take a shuttle bus from Ruby Park in Aspen. The bus includes an informative guided tour of the valley. Contact the Roaring Fork Transit Agency at 925-8484 for more information.

Seasonal Information:
Normally Accessible: June through August (NOTE: Snow may obstruct the route at high elevations.) .

		Current Conditions & Trip Reports
		Add your own trip Report! Newly re-released feature. One of the most popular features on Wildernet, trip reports allow you to share your experiences with others. This is an invaluable resource for determining what to expect on your outdoor adventure, so please participate! To prevent spamming, you must be a registered user of Wildernet in order to submit a trip report Difficulty: Hard Number of People Encountered: 0-10 ppl Recommend to a Friend: Neutral Report: Did North Maroon Oct. 21st. Weather was very good, sunny and little wind. Did reach snow at about 12,000'. It became 1 foot deep on Northeast ridge at 13,000'. Made for slippery conditions along with the ice covered rocks in places. Snow depth became 1 1/2' at 13,700'. Needed gaiters as snow came up to knees. Summit was breezy and frozen. However, it was bare of snow. Downclimb was slippery and had to be extra careful. Made summit in 3 1/2 hrs. Was 7th climb for me. Met 4 others on mountain. Peak is not for beginners or moderate skilled hikers!!!!!!!!! Craig Greenshields/ Co. Springs

Recreation Opportunities

Activity		Remarks	On Site
	Hiking & Walking	Maroon Peak, Maroon-Snowmass Trail	Yes
	Mountain Climbing	Maroon Peak	Yes

Related Activities

Maroon Creek Area - The Maroon Creek area is located southwest of Aspen. The scenic Maroon Bells are the focal point of this area but not the only attraction.

Maroon Creek Road - Maroon Creek Road leads to Maroon Lake and the Maroon Bells, the most photographed mountains in the country. This route is good for taking an all day trip with a picnic stop.

North Maroon Peak - North Maroon Peak is the middle peak of the Maroon-Bells range. No one should attempt this climb without the proper equipment and without advanced mountain climbing skills.

Pyramid Peak - Pyramid Peak is one of Colorado's most difficult and dangerous fourteen thousand foot summits. No one should attempt this climb without the proper equipment and without advanced mountain climbing skills.

West Maroon Portal Trailhead - The West Maroon Portal provides access to the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. The Maroon Creek and Maroon-Snowmass Trails start from here.

West Maroon Trail - This trail is one of the most heavily used trails in the Aspen area. Hikers, backpackers and horse travelers enjoy the wildflowers and access to the wilderness areas.