Maroon Bells Traverse

Maroon Bells Traverse

Page Type Page Type: Album
Additional Information Image Type(s): Informational, Scenery

Approach from the Maroon Lake Trailhead

The standard approach to South Maroon Peak is described here.

Sunrise on Maroon Peaks Sunrise: Maroon Peaks as seen from West Maroon Trail above Crater Lake
North Maroon Peak at sunriseFirst morning light on North Maroon Peak.


Maroon Peaks at sunriseSunrise: Maroon Peaks as seen from West Maroon Trail above Crater Lake


South Maroon Peak

View from the standard route up Maroon PeakView south from the standard route on Maroon Peak.
One of the local residents on the South Ridge of Maroon PeakOne of the local residents on the South Ridge of Maroon Peak.
The chimney on the standard route of Maroon PeakAfter some hiking on the South Ridge, you will encounter this chimney.
The exit from the chimneyClimb straight up the chimney and exit left up this large crack.
Typical conditions on the upper standard route Typical conditions on the upper part of the standard route on Maroon Peak.
Summit ridge of South Maroon PeakSummit ridge of Maroon Peak.
Maroon Peak: view west from summit ridgeMaroon Peak: view west from the summit ridge.
South Maroon Peak: summit view northSouth Maroon Peak: summit view north.

Ridge Traverse

An excellent route description of the traverse between South and North Maroon Peaks can be found here on 14ers.com. Captions in this album refer to the names and diagrams used on that page (i.e "the second spire", etc.).
Maroon Bells TraverseView north after descending from the summit of South Maroon Peak.
The notch above Bell Cord Couloir Standing in the notch above the Bell Cord Couloir.
Looking back at the descent route from South MaroonLooking at the descend route from South Maroon after climbing out of the notch.
Maroon Bells Traverse: approaching the cruxApproaching the second spire.
Maroon Bells Traverse: the lower part of the second spireLooking up the lower part of the second spire.
Looking down the lower pitch on the second spireLooking down the pitch on the lower part of the second spire.
The upper part of the second spireThe upper part of the second spire.
Looking down the upper pitch on the second spireLooking down the upper pitch on the second spire.
Looking south from the top of the second spireLooking south from the top of the second spire.
Maroon Bells Traverse: the final sectionThe final section of the Maroon Bells Traverse. View from the top of the second spire.

Maroon Bells Traverse: view westMaroon Bells Traverse: view west towards Capitol Peak and Snowmass Mountain.


North Maroon Peak

North Maroon PeakNorth Maroon Peak as seen on the final stage of the traverse from South Maroon Peak.
North Maroon Peak: summit view southNorth Maroon Peak: summit view south.
North Maroon Peak: summit view northNorth Maroon Peak: summit view north.
Capitol Peak and Snowmass Mountain from North Maroon PeakCapitol Peak and Snowmass Mountain from North Maroon Peak.
North Maroon Peak: looking down Maroon Creek ValleyNorth Maroon Peak: looking down Maroon Creek Valley.
Pyramid Peak from NE Ridge of North MaroonNortheast Ridge route on North Maroon Peak: view towards Pyramid Peak.
The upper NE Ridge of North Maroon PeakThe upper NE Ridge of North Maroon Peak
Climber trail on the lower NE Ridge of North MaroonClimber trail on the lower NE Ridge of North Maroon
Pyramid Peak from the lower NE Ridge of North MaroonPyramid Peak from the lower NE Ridge of North Maroon
North Face of North Maroon PeakNorth Face of North Maroon Peak


Comments

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strudolyubov

strudolyubov - Jul 29, 2010 10:53 pm - Hasn't voted

Re: Nice!

Thanks!

The traverse itself is not bad. If you stay on/close to the ridge crest, it is mostly Class 3-4 scrambling on a relatively solid rock with two short low-mid Class 5 sections (but there are plenty of good holds). The initial descent from South Maroon is unpleasant with lots of loose stuff around. The same thing applies to the descent from North Maroon.

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