Pyramid Peak Camping

[kboyd]

Planning on climbing Pyramid Pk. early or mid-August and have a couple questions about the night before our climb.

1. Is there camping at the TH? When we did Maroon Pk. a few years back, we were allowed to sleep in the parking lot, but the ranger acted as though we were not supposed to, but he would allow it. If there is camping, are reservations needed? What is the likelihood of getting reservations at this late date? With whom are reservations obtained?

2. Is there any benefit to backpacking in a couple miles the night before? If so, can you recommend a place to set up camp?

Thanks in advance!

Keith Boyd

[Nathan Hale]

Sleeping in the car is done a lot, but I think that it is not technically allowed. There is no proper camping allowed at the trailhead itself, the only camping is at the campgrounds on the way up Maroon Creek Road. You'd want reservations for those, I think. I've never done that myself, so I don't know whether they'd be available or from whom you could get them. I've always just slept in my car and been very discreet by getting there late.

If you want to backpack in, the best place to be would be Crater Lake, which is a bit beyond the turnoff for Pyramid. There is some benefit to this in that you're closer that night.

[JB99]

I don't think packing in to Crater Lake is worth it for Pyramid. We did it once (planned to climb the Cord but rain sent us to attempt Pyramid). The hike to the turnoff toward the peak is probably only ten minutes from the parking lot. Sleeping in the car is not technically allowed, but is done quite a bit. That's how I would go about an attempt on Pyramid, just be discreet.

[myfeetrock]

I've done it one time overnight in the parking lot and the other 2 times I just drove in the morning of. If you plan to do the bells to then camping at the lake is worth it.

[Dan England]

I did the Difficult Campground. $20 and its pretty close to the peak.

[Tornadoman]

Can anyone confirm whether or not reservations are needed for camping in the Crater Lake area, or is it first come, first served so to speak? Also, if you tell them that you are an overnight hiker, are you allowed access to the Bells at all hours or are you only allowed in at certain times?

[Hoot]

Last time I was there several years ago, the Crater Lake sites were available on a first come basis. I've done both options when climbing Pyramid. One time a ranger shined his light in the back of my van where I slept in the parking lot. He must have known people were in the van but he just moved on. Personally I prefer camping at Crater Lake as it's one of the most beautiful spots in Colorado.

[BKS]

Just to add another opinion.... Camping at Crater doesn't help that much... especially if the first campsites are already taken. If you have to go further up the trail to find a site you'll backtrack in the morning back to the Pyramid cutoff about as far as the distance from Maroon lake to the Pyramid turnoff. The water sources around Crater aren't great - very silty in the lake (plugged my filter) or hard to find later in season or you have to go quite a ways up the trail toward south Bell turnoff.

[Carl]

It's only about a 15 to 25 minute walk from the trailhead to the turn off so I can't imagine how it's worth it (from an I want the summit perspective) to backpack in and sleep on the ground. Camping at Crater lake is great though. In route to the Elks right now.

[myfeetrock]

Can anyone confirm whether or not reservations are needed for camping in the Crater Lake area, or is it first come, first served so to speak? Also, if you tell them that you are an overnight hiker, are you allowed access to the Bells at all hours or are you only allowed in at certain times?

First come first serve. It can fill up fast though. I think there are restrictions on the number of tents for campsites to. I tried it once and ended up in the last campsite on the east end of the lake. The other party was happy to let me stay in their camp.

[bob863]

Please consult the Trailhead Status/Conditions for the Maroon Bells on this web site for very excellent information...the Forest Service has some "rules" for general public access, but if you want to hike any of the Maroon Bell peaks you can "generally" bypass those rules if you drive through their entrance gate "after hours" (7 PM - 7 AM) to drive to the "overnight" parking lot just below Maroon Lake...

[oldschoolczar]

Hoping for some updated information here?

Can you still get to upper parking lot between 7pm - 7am when entrance station is closed?

Are there any good places to car camp just outside the ranger/entrance station? Alternatively, are there any dispersed spots up the trail a bit near the turnoff for Pyramid?