Is There Really a Pyramid in Colorado? Here’s the Truth

The Rocky Mountains are home to at least two mountains named Pyramid Peak. It’s also home to Pyramid Point, Pyramid Rock, and a wicked 13er named the Rio Grande Pyramid.

Keep scrolling for a closer look at Colorado’s mysterious pyramid in the clouds, found high atop Pitkin County in the Elk Mountain range.

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Where Is the 14er Mountain Named Pyramid Peak?

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Pyramid Peak is only 12 miles southwest of Aspen, Colorado, and accessible using the same popular mountain roads we all use to access the Maroon Bells, Crater Lake, and the Maroon Valley. While there is a fee to enter the Maroon Bells Scenic Area, the mighty Pyramid is visible as you drive down portions of Maroon Creek Road toward the bells. Just look for its steep angular face.

Why Is It Called Pyramid Peak?

Imagine being some of the first to cross Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. Some of the first people to see the Mount of the Holy Cross thought the shape was a hallucination. In the Elk Mountains, the Hayden U.S. Government Survey of 1874 specifically names their discovery in the Elks a “Black Pyramid.” The name was later changed to simply “Pyramid Peak.” Was there a connection to the Black Pyramid of Amenemhat, or Black Pyramids of Meroe? Why was the name suddenly changed?

Who Found It — and Why Is It So Challenging?

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The first ascent of Pyramid Peak was made in 1909 by Percy Hagerman and Harold Clark, during Colorado’s early mountaineering era. Pyramid is not a forgiving fourteener. It requires Class 4 climbing, scrambling skills, and experience. For those who appreciate great photos of Colorado 14ers, capturing a few shots of Pyramid Peak is a great reason to head into the Maroon Valley for something other than the bells.