7/16/2025 Route: Northeast Ridge Posted On: 7/17/2025, By: dakotasmama Info: I doubt conditions are going to get much more “summer-y.” I always have my spikes with me so I put them on and took advantage of the remaining snowfields in the amphitheater on my ascent. I thought the 1,000 foot climb up the steep slope was far less miserable than the steep gully on Little Bear. The route after the saddle is pretty straightforward and easily identifiable until you get to the greenish-colored rocks (you can make the Leap of Faith a Big Step of Faith if you want by moving a bit into the top of the gap). After that, it’s kind of a choose-your-own-adventure deal. There are so many cairns in so many different places that finding “A” route is easy, but finding the “RECOMMENDED” route - not so much. I really wish people would stop making cairns unless they are 1000% certain they’re on route. There was a fair amount of smoke in the air from the Black Canyon wildfire but the views from the summit were still incredible, I can only imagine how mind-blowing they are on a clear day. I didn’t really notice the exposure on my ascent but I definitely did on my descent - it was a little terrifying at times. Met two mama goats with their babies shortly after I navigated back down the greenish rock and one of the mamas came at me so quickly I thought for a second she was going to headbutt me right over the edge. The steep slope was more miserable on the descent, and I thought it would be better to stick to the rock glacier instead of the snowfield since it was after 1pm. But after 20 minutes of trying (and failing) to stay on route I maneuvered back to the snowfields. I don’t know if they would be less stable on a sunny day but it was overcast most of the day and regardless, I would rather have postholed for 1/2 a mile than spent any more time on SATAN’S GIANT TALUS FIELD. Overall it was still my favorite of the Bells peak group. Left the TH at 5:30am, summited at 11am, back down to the TH at 4pm (the amount of time spent navigating the Class 4 section, the rock glacier and talking to mountain goats all greatly contributed to this lengthy day). |
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7/9/2025 Route: Northeast Ridge Posted On: 7/9/2025, By: wwdonaldson Info: Summer conditions. There’s some snow in the amphitheater. I’d strongly recommend bringing microspikes and hiking up the snowpack. It was much more enjoyable and faster that crossing all those loose rocks. The gulley up to 13,000ft was the worst part. Steep and loose. Route finding wasn’t actually that hard. I was able to keep it class 3 for all but maybe 3 moves. First class 4 for me |
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6/29/2025 Route: Northeast Ridge Posted On: 6/29/2025, By: swshrader Info: Very close to summer conditions on Pyramid today. Spikes were helpful for the amphitheater, but snow can be avoided by taking the talus route. We forgot helmets and axes, and regretted both decisions. Lots of loose rock and great opportunity to glissade in the amphitheater. This was my 44th 14er but first Class 4. I was really intimidated by the description of the route. Here's what I found: the Leap of Faith is more of a step, and the cliff ledges that followed had some significant exposure but were doable. The Green Wall was a lot of Class 3 climbing. The Class 4 move (s) just below the peak were less bad than I anticipated. We took it slow- 5.5 hours TH to summit and then 4.5 hours summit to TH. This mountain is a beast. Have fun, go with someone who is a confident climber. Enjoy the summit, it is gorgeous. |
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6/23/2025 Route: Northeast Ridge Posted On: 6/23/2025, By: Martin82500 Info: Tried a late attempt on the northeast ridge coming up through the couloir just right of the standard route out of the amphitheater. When removing my crampons they slid down to the middle portion of couloir, though by that time the snow was had become to soft to back track and retrieve. If anyone comes across them in future attempts please contact me, ill be in Aspen tell the end of the week. themr.mmh@gmail.com |
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6/23/2025 Route: Northeast Ridge Posted On: 6/23/2025, By: tiernanp Info: Climbed standard route on June 23. All snow is avoidable until the traverse into the Green Wall, where there is still a 20-ft section to cross. That’s the only snow field on the route where we felt we needed to cross snow, but we did end up climbing a couple of snow fields higher up to avoid some more committing Class 4 alt routes. We opted to go down some snow fields below the ridge to speed up the descent, but all snow is avoidable and the entire route is cleaning up nicely. |
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6/21/2025 Route: Northeast Ridge Posted On: 6/22/2025, By: WillRobnett Info: Standard Route mostly dry! Early morning hardpack can be a little icy in the Ampitheater, however plenty of talus for trail runners to reasonably approach on dry boulder field. We didn't feel the need for spikes until finding a couloir in the Ampitheater which runs parallel and super right of standard route. Couloir conditions were excellent! Found a small boulder ice cave to pass and couloir exits to a snow field next to standard route, it's a quick elevator to the NE ridge. We stayed mostly ridge proper once on the NE ridge and had an exposed snow crossing above standard route where NE ridge meets Pyramid's north facing wall. Not much for filtering water after leaving main trail. |
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6/21/2025 Route: Northeast Ridge Posted On: 6/23/2025, By: jhm3110 Info: My buddy and I hit Pyramid on June 21, 2025. After reading the update from the week prior, we were fully prepared to turn back if the conditions looked untrustworthy or if we found a danger of a wet slide (or worse, slab slide). High winds were also forecasted for much of the day. Happy to report that we couldn't have found more favorable conditions. We started at the trailhead around 5AM and were in the amphitheater before 6 AM, where we caught the alpenglow hitting the summit ahead. Only a few portions of snow on the trail up to this section that can easily be stepped around. Snow covering the talus field in the first section after the amphitheater was firm on the way up and down. Definitely recommend microspikes to make this section easier. The long slog up the steep gulley to the saddle of the amphitheater was tough but manageable. Section was dry. Route finding to the platform and the leap of faith was also fair, with must cairns easily identifiable. There was one section that required a snow crossing along steep terrain. This is the section that scared us but the snow was great and very firm under our feet. We used axes and spikes again, but we saw others cross it (as we made our way back down) without any gear or issues. The snow looks much reduced from what was pictured in the condition post from a week earlier. It is melting fast up there. If you are still concerned, that section of the route does look like it can be navigated by descending down and around it. Few more minor snow areas that can be avoided on the way up. We started at 5AM and were nearly off the trail and back in the overnight lot by 2PM. Great times were had. |
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6/14/2025 Route: Northeast Ridge Posted On: 6/15/2025, By: durkan Info: Summit with approach shoes, microspikes, & axe. We were probably at the cairn gate of the amphitheater by 06:30~07:00. Snow mostly avoidable up to the amphitheater's saddle. A cornice and a couple snow fields to cross after the amphitheater's saddle. Avoidable in safer terrain if you choose the right line. But leap of faith and ledge after were dry. The gully just before the green gully was the only worth noting. It was decent enough to kick some steps in and traverse, but with warming temps I'd have issues trusting it in a week or less to not give under your weight; the transition from snow to rock after was the only soft spot so that had be sweating for the descent later. There was snow at the base of the green gully, but you can transition onto it cautiously and avoid touching it. It's pick your own adventure after that to avoid snow and wet rock, but it won't increase the class in scrambling. Did see what looked like a wet slide on the upper snowfield below the saddle. Maybe rock triggered, but who cares: it's a slide and telling of the conditions. Note all crossings were very soft by 11am on the descent, so maybe an earlier start will help; but I vote waiting for it to melt out. Sadly shouldn't take long. Maroons: Two or more folks were going up the Bell Chord that morning as well. Group the day before this (6/13) said conditions were great and tagged South Maroon. Trust other recent reports more though versus what I heard by word of mouth as it is warming fast there. Water levels were noticeably higher one day versus another. |
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5/31/2025 Route: view from a watchtower ridge Posted On: 6/1/2025, By: WillRobnett Info: Snow coverage through the Ampitheater and above. |
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5/10/2025 Route: Northeast Ridge Posted On: 5/10/2025, By: Will_E Info: Started at the road closure, easy 5 mile walk, took me a hair over 90 minutes. First mile or so up the trail is dry, I put snowshoes on just before branching off towards Pyramid. Didn’t really follow the trail, I made my own way to the amphitheater, snow in the trees was great in the morning, not so great in afternoon. I kept snowshoes on until reaching the ridge, worked well up the steep parts. I used crampons and axe the rest of the way to summit, fortunately the snow was good. Ridge snow was narrow and had some exposure, hardest part was after the notch, I had to kick step everything hard for security. |
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3/30/2025 Route: lake hike with a view! Posted On: 3/31/2025, By: WillRobnett Info: A lot of snow still out there! Photos from hiking the road to Maroon Lake. |
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9/28/2024 Route: Northeast Ridge Posted On: 9/30/2024, By: jtfoss1 Info: Dry on all aspects except north. There are viable alternatives on the east, but the snow is easily passable. Should be good as long as temps remain high and there's no significant snow. |
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9/26/2024 Route: Northeast Ridge Posted On: 9/26/2024, By: montysep Info: All clear. Had no need for microspikes axe nada on standard route. What you see from the saddle looking to the summit is what you get. |
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9/23/2024 Route: Northeast Ridge Posted On: 9/23/2024, By: Laxer04 Info: The peak got about 3/4 inches of snow Saturday night but it is melting fast. We wore spikes and they were super helpful beyond the amphitheater. I brought my axe and crampons but didn't need them. Saw a family of 5 curious mountain goats. Almost peak fall colors in the aspen area |
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9/14/2024 Route: Northeast Ridge Posted On: 9/15/2024, By: awalters Info: Absolute perfect conditions, no snow and not a cloud in the sky. Im 5 foot 2 and was nervous about being able to make it over the leap of faith, and was able to not a problem. |
