Belleview Mountain in Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, CO

Hike Belleview Mountain Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, CO

Class 2 9.7 miles 3100 gain 4-6 hrs Out + Back Jul 28, 2023
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

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Belleview Mountain is a gorgeous Colorado 13er that overlooks the Maroon Bells Wilderness. My original plan was to hike a few more peaks in the area, but the high altitude had other plans for my poor little lowlander lungs' capabilities and I was humbled into only getting this one peak today. I wasn't too upset though, since wildflowers were in full bloom and it was my first time over 13,000 feet for the year. I drove to the West Maroon Trailhead, a busy lot that requires at least some clearance and decent tires to reach. The West Maroon Trail approach trail leads to West Maroon Bells Pass, a popular portal for the four-pass loop that avoids the permit system from the Aspen side. For this reason I had company during much of the hike.

I set out through the forest, which paralleled the Crystal River for a short time before passing an old cabin and emerging into a glorious meadow-filled valley. I was immediately overwhelmed by a variety of wildflowers dominated by Aspen sunflowers. The trail climbed gradually so I could really enjoy the morning in this beautiful valley as I made my way toward West Maroon Pass. A couple of marked junctions kept me going the right way, and eventually the trail began ascending more steeply to West Maroon Pass. A couple of switchbacks help to prevent erosion toward the top. West Maroon Pass was covered with resting hikers enjoying the view toward Maroon Peak and its surroundings. This was an excellent spot, but I knew the view would only get better at the summit of Belleview Mountain so I continued on, leaving West Maroon Pass and heading north.

An obvious social trail leads away from the pass as it starts ascending to Belleview Mountain, initially weaving around some rotten pinnacles before keeping just left and below the ridge crest. An exposed Class 2 ledge was the first real obstacle, but the social trail persisted past this and led up to the ridge crest for a bit. A signficant headwall ahead forced the social trail to its left, wrapping around it using a ledge. I scrambled up Class 2 to regain the crest, where Belleview Mountain's false summit became visible ahead, the true summit also poking out on the right, separated from the ridgeline. Some more ridgeline walking and a couple more Class 2 obstacles on somewhat loose terrain and I had reached the false summit. Belleview Mountain lay ahead, photogenically serving as a foreground for its taller northern neighbors. I dropped a hundred feet or so toward it, then started up to the peak's eastern shoulder. Past here some loose Class 2+ brought me up a talus-covered steep slope to the summit. The route I chose was a little exposed, but there might be another way.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Belleview Mountain
13248 ft
705 rise

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Starting along the West Maroon Trail.
Starting along the West Maroon Trail.
A short forest walk starts off the hike.
A short forest walk starts off the hike.
I passed this old cabin and then ascended into a gorgeous valley.
I passed this old cabin and then ascended into a gorgeous valley.
I emerged into the meadowy valley.
I emerged into the meadowy valley.
Wildflowers everywhere!
Wildflowers everywhere!
View back at my progress through the valley.
View back at my progress through the valley.
Belleview Mountain seen right of center.
Belleview Mountain seen right of center.
A stream crossing.
A stream crossing.
West Maroon Pass seen left of center, Belleview Mountain top left.
West Maroon Pass seen left of center, Belleview Mountain top left.
View back as I head up toward West Maroon Pass.
View back as I head up toward West Maroon Pass.
A trail junction along the way.
A trail junction along the way.
Another shot back, just before the West Maroon Trail steepens signifcantly.
Another shot back, just before the West Maroon Trail steepens signifcantly.
West Maroon Pass seen center.
West Maroon Pass seen center.
Switchbacks leading to the pass.
Switchbacks leading to the pass.
A shot back from West Maroon Pass.
A shot back from West Maroon Pass.
West Maroon Pass, view toward the Maroon Bells.
West Maroon Pass, view toward the Maroon Bells.
Wider shot, Belleview Mountain seen left of center.
Wider shot, Belleview Mountain seen left of center.
Starting along the ridge crest. A social trail weaves around various pinnacles.
Starting along the ridge crest. A social trail weaves around various pinnacles.
It's overall a good social trail initially, not exceeding Class 2.
It's overall a good social trail initially, not exceeding Class 2.
Pretty well-defined social trail, at least for the beginning.
Pretty well-defined social trail, at least for the beginning.
Approaching the first notable obstacle, a Class 2 ledge with some exposure.
Approaching the first notable obstacle, a Class 2 ledge with some exposure.
View back at the obstacle. The trail then ascends to the crest.
View back at the obstacle. The trail then ascends to the crest.
View back at my progress from West Maroon Pass.
View back at my progress from West Maroon Pass.
The trail continued along the crest for a bit along the crest toward the headwall seen center.
The trail continued along the crest for a bit along the crest toward the headwall seen center.
Wrapping left around the headwall.
Wrapping left around the headwall.
Class 2 ascent back to the ridgeline.
Class 2 ascent back to the ridgeline.
Onward to the false summit, seen ahead. Belleview Mountain's true summit seen far right.
Onward to the false summit, seen ahead. Belleview Mountain's true summit seen far right.
More Class 2 obstacles along the way.
More Class 2 obstacles along the way.
View back toward West Maroon Pass, right of center.
View back toward West Maroon Pass, right of center.
False summit, view toward Belleview Mountain's true summit.
False summit, view toward Belleview Mountain's true summit.
Close-up toward Belleview Mountain. I headed to the shoulder on the right. Maroon Peak seen on the left, Pyramid Peak on the right.
Close-up toward Belleview Mountain. I headed to the shoulder on the right. Maroon Peak seen on the left, Pyramid Peak on the right.
Class 2+ steep stuff to gain the summit.
Class 2+ steep stuff to gain the summit.
View back at the Class 2/2+ ascent to the summit.
View back at the Class 2/2+ ascent to the summit.
Belleview Mountain summit, view toward the Maroon Bells.
Belleview Mountain summit, view toward the Maroon Bells.
Belleview Mountain summit, view north. The four-pass loop goes through the wide valley seen here.
Belleview Mountain summit, view north. The four-pass loop goes through the wide valley seen here.
On the way back, more wildflowers.
On the way back, more wildflowers.

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