Pyramid Peak

From Aspen, head west on route 82. Immediately upon leaving town, you'll come to a traffic circle. Follow the sign for the Maroon Bells up Maroon Creek Road. Pass the welcome center and pay up ($10 for a single car day pass;subject to change). Continue up the road and park in one of the lots. While few people actually climb the Bells or Pyramid, this area is chock full of tourists and is well signed. There are day lots, overnight lots, and a lot designated for sleeping in your car. Take your pick. From the upper lots, walk along the Maroon Snowmass Trail, leaving Maroon Lake and gaining a small amount of elevation along a mellow but occasionally rocky trail. After about 1.5 miles, turn left toward Pyramid Peak just below the upper lake (Crater Lake). Continue through a flat area before the going gets steep. Hike up steep switchbacks before reaching a boulder field below 12,000 ft, known by hikers as "the amphitheater." This is where the real hike starts. There are some cairns in the boulder field, and the CFI has done a good job building the trail. Continue up the rocks and to the left to find a gully to the east of Pyramid's impressive north face. The next thousand feet is brutal. This gully is so steep even the fittest hikers will likely have to stop for a breather every few minutes. You'll gain 1,000 ft in about 0.2 miles, topping out on a ridge. From here, things are much more fun. Turn right and climb over several gendarmes, or traverse them just to the right. Once the grades gets steep again, your goal is to search for cairns to the left of the ridge. Traverse along loose rocks. In a few minutes, come to a spot referred to as the "leap of faith." It's not a leap - just a big step between rocks. Immediately cross some narrow ledges, clinging to the rocks to your right to avoid the exposure to your left. This area is short and underwhelming. Don't be scared! From here, turn right up a short red gully and follow cairns to the "green gully." The rock here has an unmistakeable green tint, and can't be missed. Scramble up solid rock in this gully for about 300 ft before finding cairns below the summit. Continue scrambling fun class 3-4 to reach a false summit. There are some fun class 5 moves near here that provide a fun challenge for the more experienced climber. Once on the false summit, it's a 1-2 minute walk up to the true peak. Stop and enjoy the views...it's a long way back down!