Class 4 7.4 miles 4400 gain 4-6 hrs Out + Back Sep 15, 2016
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Pyramid Peak GPX Track

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Starting from the Maroon Bells Trailhead, pass Maroon Lake ascending en route to Crater Lake. Just before dropping down toward Crater Lake, a nice trail leads south, switchbacking up the talus-filled slopes leading to a a boulder field, where the trail disappears and some Class 2 begins. The boulder field leads into the basin just north of Pyramid Peak. I could see the peak ahead, and there seemed to be a lot of snow up there. I wasn't feeling confident without crampons, and being solo. I persisted through the boulder field and located the trail leading up the steep slope, leading east up to the northeastern ridge of Pyramid Peak. I made a friend named Joe along the way, and we kept each other feeling strong on the ascent up the slope. The snow made it a bit scary, and we both admitted that without the other being there, we would have turned back.

Once on the northeast ridge of Pyramid Peak, we headed along the ridge, encountering lots of Class 2 and some Class 3 moves, much of the route keeping on the south side of the ridge. It was well-cairned and we only got a little confused toward the top when we encountered the light Class 4 section up a lighter-colored wall where the scree seemed to erode the social trails. A series of ledges continued to the summit from here, with some more Class 3.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Pyramid Peak
14018 ft
1618 rise

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Maroon Lake in autumn is pretty much too perfect.
Maroon Lake in autumn is pretty much too perfect.
Image 1 from gallery
Heading toward Crater Lake, following West Maroon Creek.
Heading toward Crater Lake, following West Maroon Creek.
Image 3 from gallery
Pyramid Peak visible to the south, while along the trail.
Pyramid Peak visible to the south, while along the trail.
View back toward Maroon Lake.
View back toward Maroon Lake.
The Maroons, taken just before leaving the main trail and heading up the Pyramid Peak Trail.
The Maroons, taken just before leaving the main trail and heading up the Pyramid Peak Trail.
Starting along the Pyramid Peak Trail.
Starting along the Pyramid Peak Trail.
Looking back toward Maroon Lake along the Pyramid Trail.
Looking back toward Maroon Lake along the Pyramid Trail.
Talus/scree with a trail to more easily navigate through this.
Talus/scree with a trail to more easily navigate through this.
View toward the Maroons as I work my way up the switchbacks.
View toward the Maroons as I work my way up the switchbacks.
Continuing up the trail, just before entering the basin just north of Pyramid Peak, where a big boulder field waits.
Continuing up the trail, just before entering the basin just north of Pyramid Peak, where a big boulder field waits.
Entering the boulder field, Pyramid Peak visible center.
Entering the boulder field, Pyramid Peak visible center.
Continuing through the boulder field.
Continuing through the boulder field.
Looking back the way I came through the boulder field.
Looking back the way I came through the boulder field.
Another progress shot through the boulder field. Pyramid Peak center. The route curves around to the left.
Another progress shot through the boulder field. Pyramid Peak center. The route curves around to the left.
View of the slope to ascend to gain the saddle (center). The snow made it more difficult.
View of the slope to ascend to gain the saddle (center). The snow made it more difficult.
Heading up the slope, view back into the basin. Pyramid Peak out of shot top left.
Heading up the slope, view back into the basin. Pyramid Peak out of shot top left.
Class 2 slope.
Class 2 slope.
Snow falling off Pyramid Peak as I headed up the slope.
Snow falling off Pyramid Peak as I headed up the slope.
Continuing up the steep slope, the saddle just ahead.
Continuing up the steep slope, the saddle just ahead.
Looking back down the slope.
Looking back down the slope.
At the saddle, view west toward Pyramid Peak's east slope.
At the saddle, view west toward Pyramid Peak's east slope.
My new friend Joe enjoying the views south as we started along the ridge.
My new friend Joe enjoying the views south as we started along the ridge.
View southeast as we work along the ridge.
View southeast as we work along the ridge.
View west, as we work along the south side of Pyramid Peak's northeast ridge.
View west, as we work along the south side of Pyramid Peak's northeast ridge.
Interesting little catwalk feature.
Interesting little catwalk feature.
Approaching the Class 4 section ahead, a steep gully on a lighter-colored wall. This is where the social trail isn't super obvious.
Approaching the Class 4 section ahead, a steep gully on a lighter-colored wall. This is where the social trail isn't super obvious.
Class 4. The rock is fairly loose, but the scramble is fun anyway. We were happy for no more snow.
Class 4. The rock is fairly loose, but the scramble is fun anyway. We were happy for no more snow.
View down the exposure on the Class 4 section.
View down the exposure on the Class 4 section.
More Class 4.
More Class 4.
View north toward the northeast ridge of Pyramid, the way we came.
View north toward the northeast ridge of Pyramid, the way we came.
More fun ledges just below the summit.
More fun ledges just below the summit.
The trail continues more obviously for a bit.
The trail continues more obviously for a bit.
View south as we continue up the scramble.
View south as we continue up the scramble.
Last bit of Class 3 to the summit.
Last bit of Class 3 to the summit.
Pyramid Peak, view west to the Maroons.
Pyramid Peak, view west to the Maroons.
Maroons close-up.
Maroons close-up.
View north from Pyramid Peak summit.
View north from Pyramid Peak summit.
Pyramid Peak summit, view south.
Pyramid Peak summit, view south.
On the way back, I got another shot of the Class 2 approach slope without snow. Significantly less intimidating.
On the way back, I got another shot of the Class 2 approach slope without snow. Significantly less intimidating.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!