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| Black Cloud Trail   | 
| Page Type: Route Location: Colorado, United States, North America Lat/Lon: 39.11780°N / 106.4447°W Route Type: Basic Trail w/ Some High stepping Time Required: Most of a day Difficulty: Class 2
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| Page By: Nepetzl Created/Edited: Aug 29, 2005 / Aug 31, 2005 Object ID: 166522 Hits: 3734 Loading... Page Score: 86.24% - 2 Votes Loading... Vote: Log in to vote |
Approach
The only way to get to the trailhead in the winter is from Twin Lakes (The East side of Independence Pass). But in the summer, when Independence Pass is open, you can drive from Aspen or Twin Lakes. Twin Lakes is between Leadville and Buena Vista. Turn West off of Highway US-24 onto CO-82 and drive about 10.5 miles to the trailhead. This is the easiest turn-off to miss because the sign is very small and off the road in the trees. The turn off is about 4.2 miles West of the town, Twin Lakes, and 4 miles East of the CO- 82 South Fork Lake Creek junction. The sign reads "Black Cloud Trail." There is parking for a few cars off the road about 50 to 100 feet. To set up camp, and start hiking early the next morning, you can pay a $12 dollar camping fee (includes two vvehicles) at Twin Lakes Campground about 1.5 miles east of the trail head.
(Watch out for the campground guard lady, she'll drive around in her golf cart and make sure you paid and also step out in front of your moving car to stop you if you are driving the wrong direction or speeding; just be polite or she'll kick you out). If your broke you can camp at the trail head. just don't set up in the dark because of the barb wire that is near the old chain-link fence.
Route Description
Total Elevation Change is 5,250 feet
The Round trip distance is 10 miles
This route lets you climb two 14ers in one hike. It is an excellent trail that is very beautiful and rewarding.
The trail head starts at 9,700 feet.
From the parking area, the trail is on the right (east side). It actually goes down to the road, if you really want to start there go ahead.
The trail is a steady steep, uphill hike along the creek untill you cross the Black Cloud Creek to the West side for the first time at 10,860 feet. Here the mountain is less steep and starts to show off the adjacent peak, La Plata Peak in the distance to the South. Don't follow another trail that goes off the the west around 11,020 ft. Be sure to cross back over the creek at 11,200 ft. and then hike to an old cabin higher up near 11,600 near which I found out is burned down (not positive on the elevation here). The trail starts up the last steep part to the southeast ridge of South Elbert after this point. After some large switchbacks and steep climbing/hiking you're at the ridge around 13,540 feet.
Now Mount Elbert is in view and South Elbert is nearby. Continue hiking along the ridge, about 0.8 miles to the summit of South Elbert (14,134 feet). There is a trail to follow but no need to follow because it's easy to hike to. From there Mount Elbert is about a mile or so away and looks far after just climbing the one your on. Continue west to the 13,900 foot saddle between the two and hike up the south ridge of Mount Elbert. The summit is only 0.6 miles away.
Essential Gear
Essential to this hike is a good pair of hiking boots and hiking poles(twisting an ankle is so easy to do on this one because of the steepness is some parts. There is a lot of exposure above treeline on this hike so becareful of storms that quickly move in. This route is a basic ascent and no specific equipment such as crampons and rope are needed. In winter conditions more gear such as snowshoes and ice axes MAY be needed
BE SMART and plan ahead of time
KNOW what the weather is doing and current conditions
LEAVE NO TRACE
In the WINTER:
This is a possible avalanche area. We saw a huge slide area where the slopes above had cleared a large area where the trail crosses. Be smart if the snow conditions are dangerous, don't risk it!
Variations of Trail
There are two other routes that you can take on this trail.
Route variation 1:
Take Black Cloud Trail to the old cabin and start hiking west toward the saddle at 13,340ft between Bull Hill (13,761 ft) and Elberts south saddle at 13,900ft (Between Elbert and South Elbert) (If this is confusing check out the map). This trail through the Black Cloud Creek Gulch gets real steep as you get closer and closer to the ridge's saddle. Once on the ridge climb northeast toward 13,900 ft. This is where three 'ridges' come together. From there continue on the original trail.
Route variation 2:
From the Black Cloud Trail turn off the trail onto this one at 11,020 ft. Turn west and head toward Fidelity Mine. When this trail gets to about 12,000 ft continue by heading up the southeast ridge for Bull Hill (13,761 ft). Here you feel like your really over looking the canyon below and the view is closer to La Plata (14,336 ft). From the peak descend the north ridge of Bull Hill toward the saddle at 13,340 ft and the ascend to the next saddle (between Elbert and Bull Hill) at 13,900 ft. Then continue along the same trail.
These trail avoid summiting South Elbert but are a good scenic loop to take on the return to the trailhead.
Extras
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Sawatch Range
