Woo hoo, got Elbert too!! Gorgeous day here in Leadville to touch the top of Colorado (also the 2nd tallest peak in the lower 48). Went up one way, came down another to make it a loop back to the car. Blue skies, not much wind, no issues with snow. Turned out to be a 12.6 mile day with 4,800′ of vert.
The morning was already shaping up to be awesome as I made my way to Mt. Elbert — stop #3 in this Summer Series of State Highpoints. Today’s summit challenge was in clear view along Highway 24.
Southeast Ridge Route Up
Just like I’d done on Wheeler, I wanted to experience as much of this mountain as possible and thought another big loop would be fun. The South Elbert Trailhead seemed like the best place to start, especially since I’d been curious about that side of Elbert since last summer.
When I reached the lower parking area, conditions looked dry enough to continue the extra mile and a half up 125B — a dirt road that leads to additional parking a little higher on the mountain.
I knew there was a creek crossing on this road and was willing to give it a go in my rented Dodge Journey — despite the memory of Kansas still fresh on my mind. I completely spaced on taking a picture going in, but here’s what it looked like later that afternoon as I drove out. It was really no big deal.
My goal was to be on the trail by 7am. It was 6:45 when I took this pic at the upper trailhead sign, without another car in sight.
Keep in mind, Google Maps calls this the East Ridge Trailhead and so does 14ers.com… but the official sign here reads South Elbert. They ought to fix that since this route clearly comes in from the East!
The lower part of trail #1481 was clear of snow and dry on this first weekend in June.
About two miles in, as I climbed above treeline, the view of Twin Lakes behind me was just incredible.
Soon after, the trail turned to snow, confirming what worried me about trying this 14er so early.
It wasn’t as bad as I’d thought, so I continued on, following tracks that unexpectedly looked fresh.
Sure enough, someone else was heading up from this side as well — a younger guy I ended up passing.
Mt. Elbert Summit
I was moving along quite nicely and soon reached the junction where this Southeast Ridge route meets the Northeast route — the summit now only yards away.
By 10am, three hours into my hike, I’d already covered five miles and gained 4,000 feet of elevation.
I talked to a few people that had just come up the Northeast Ridge route and snapped a few pics — this one of Mount Massive to the north, another 14er on my list.
Northeast Ridge Route Down
My loop hike continued down along the Northeast Ridge.
Here’s looking back at this route from about 12,500 feet.
Trail conditions continued clear and dry to the tree line.
Then it got interesting again with snow drifts through the forest…
…before turning to bone-dry dirt again.
3.5 miles down from the summit, I made it to the intersection of North Mount Elbert Trail #1484 and the Colorado Trail #1776.
Continental Divide Trail Across
This last stretch back to the car followed the Continental Divide Trail for the next four miles.
More dry trail to finish off this super fun day.
Still no other cars where I had parked only six hours ago.
Final stats for the day: 12.6 miles in a little over 6 hours with 4,800′ of elevation.
