Also known as: South Maroon Peak
Maroon Peak, also called South Maroon Peak, is the taller of the two Maroon Bells, a pair of fourteeners in the Maroon Bells–Snowmass Wilderness about 12 miles southwest of Aspen. The brick-red color of the summits comes from Permian-era mudstones and siltstones of the Maroon Formation, compressed marine sediments tilted into dramatic angular layers. From Maroon Lake below, the twin peaks compose one of the most-photographed mountain views in North America, but climbers find quickly that the same sedimentary rock that photographs so well is dangerously loose underfoot.
The standard South Ridge route is Class 3, covering roughly 11.7 miles round trip with about 3,800 feet of elevation gain. The approach passes Crater Lake before switchbacking up Maroon's east slopes to gain the south ridge, where sustained scrambling over crumbling ledges leads to the summit. The rock breaks away without warning, making helmets strongly advisable and slowing progress considerably. The Bells Traverse extends the outing to include North Maroon Peak along a sustained technical ridge.
Early-season snowpack lingers well into July, and afternoon thunderstorms build rapidly. A mandatory shuttle bus serves the Maroon Lake trailhead from mid-June through October, so early starts are especially important to beat both crowds and afternoon weather.
