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West Maron Creek Trail Research Paper

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West Maroon Creek Trail, Hiking Trail Overview This trail presents hikers with wonderful views of the Pyramid Peak and Maroon Bells. two stunning lakes, a scenic alpine basin and pretty waterfalls are some of the other amazing features found on this trail. It is a 13-mile hike that follows the Maroon-Snowmass trail all the way to the Crater Lake. It climbs through the narrow and long West Maroon valley, under the pyramid massifs and the Maroon Bells. Trailhead to Crater Lake Hiking from the trailhead to Crater Lake is a distance of 3.4 miles, if you consider going for the round trip. The highest elevation on this trail is around 10,000 feet, with an elevation gain of 496 feet. There are very few trails that can match the stunning views along …show more content…

It is going to turn right, climbing to a rocky, wide path. The trail then ascends to the northwest side of the valley, cutting through spruce and aspen forest. The forest is not very dense, which means that there are numerous openings within the trees. These openings in the trees will allow you to view the rugged Pyramid Peaks that rise to the south. There is a natural dam that was created by an ancient rockslide that is about one mile from the start of the trail. This dam forms Crater Lake. Once you hit the top of this rockslide, you will enjoy wonderful views of Maroon …show more content…

The highest elevation on this course is approximately 12,500 feet while the elevation gain is around 2950 feet. From Crater Lake, you are going to descend slightly and then follow the trail as it cuts across the western shoreline of the lake. The Maroon Bells will present you with wonderful views as you hike along the trail. At the end of the lake vista, a valley opens up. The western side of the valley is filled with cascading waterfalls, which make this trail even more appealing. From the valley, the trail is the going to follow a gentle grade, as it passes through the meadows, trees, and willow thickets. The trail then takes you to a steep rockslide climb, and then spills over to the eastern side of the Maroon Peak. Once you reach the top of the slide, turn around, and enjoy some spectacular views of the valley beneath. After the rockslide, the trail passes through a narrow corridor between the talus fields and the creek, passing through conifer stands and willow thickets. As the corridor gets narrower, the trail passes through several talus fields. You will then be forced to cross to the eastern side of the creek, as it constricts further. When hiking early in the season, you will have to wade through the creek, although the water levels are not high. Later on, the snow forming streams subsides, which allows you to rock hop to cross the channel without your feet getting

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