North Maroon Peak Trail is a strenuous hike that leads to the summit of North Maroon Peak, one of the "Maroon Bells" in the Elk Mountains of Colorado. The trail starts at the Maroon Lake Trailhead and follows a well-defined path through the forest and over rocky terrain for about 8.2 miles round trip. The trail is steep and challenging, with an elevation gain of about 4,550 feet.The trail passes through aspen groves, alpine meadows and offers spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Along the way, hikers will also cross several creeks and can expect to see a variety of wildflowers in the spring and summer. The final push to the summit is a steep, rocky climb and class 4 scramble, but the views from the top are truly breathtaking, with panoramic vistas of the Maroon Bells, Pyramid Peak, and other peaks in the Elk Mountains.It's recommended to be prepared for the hike, hikers should be in good physical shape, have the proper equipment, such as sturdy hiking boots, helmet, harness, plenty of water, snacks, and suitable clothing. Additionally, hikers should be aware of the changing weather conditions and be prepared for potential thunderstorms, especially in the summer months. It's important to be aware of the altitude, start early and be aware of the time to return before dark. Hiking this trail requires basic knowledge of climbing and scrambling techniques, it's important to be aware of the risk and be experienced with the class 4 scrambling.For information on how we grade trails, please click here.This trail can be completed in approx. 2 days. Caution is advised on trail times as this depends on multiple variables. For more info, click here.
