Pyramid Peak

From Maroon Lake, follow the Crater Lake trail about a mile, then take the Pyramid trail left into the amphitheater, a bowl of glacial rubble below the peak's north face. Cross the rock glacier and climb a steep, loose gully to the saddle on the northeast ridge at about 13,000 feet. The ridge climbs on ledges with a step-across gap known as the Leap of Faith, a Class 4 pitch up the Green Wall, and a long series of Class 3 and 4 ledges to the summit. Total: about 8.25 miles round trip, 4,500 feet of gain, 10 to 12 hours.

The gully to the saddle is the loosest part of the route and dangerous with parties above. The ridge is exposed on both sides and the cairned line wanders across the east face; losing it puts you on harder rock quickly. The Green Wall is short but committing and must be downclimbed. Mountain goats live on the upper mountain and will walk past you on the ledges. Wet rock is a reason to turn around at the saddle.

Maroon Creek Road reservations from mid-May through October: shuttle from Aspen Highlands or a pre-8 AM parking permit, booked ahead at visitmaroonbells.com. Day use needs nothing else; camping at Crater Lake or in the amphitheater needs an overnight permit from Recreation.gov.

Late July through mid-September. The gully to the saddle holds snow into July, and the ledges need dry rock. Storms build over the Elks by early afternoon most days in July and August, and the ridge has no escape; start from the trailhead by 3 AM or camp closer.

Many parties bivouac in the amphitheater or camp at Crater Lake with a permit to shorten the day. Aspen is 30 minutes away with every service. The Bells are across the valley from the same trailhead, and Castle Peak is the gentle Elk fourteener for a rest day. The Maroon Bells visitor guide on this site covers the shuttle and the reservations.