South Ridge

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Northeast slopes route

North Ridge

South Ridge

Page Type: Route

Location: Colorado, United States, North America

Route Type: Hiking

Season: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Time Required: Most of a day

Difficulty: Class 2

Grade: II

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Page By: baez

Created/Edited: Jul 31, 2006 / Jul 31, 2006

Object ID: 211673

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Table of Contents

Getting There

The Echo Canyon Trailhead is where the trail begins, and can be found 6.2 miles west of Twin Lakes on Colorado 82 where there is a small sign for Echo Lake Trailhead. The trailhead sits at 10,000 ft and there is enough parking for one to two cars.

Route Description

This route was actually found on accident, when missing a turn for the Southwest Ridge of Mount Elbert. It is an isolated trail through beautiful Echo Canyon. At the Echo Canyon Trailhead, go due north up a tough 4WD road to a concrete foundation at 10,200 ft. Follow a small trail sign that will point you east across Echo Creek. Continue up the road until it turns into a footpath and winds up the canyon.

About a mile from the trailhead you will see a poorly marked offshoot trail which will lead up the Southwest Ridge of Elbert over Bull Hill. Continuing straight will lead you to a very scenic valley with Mount Elbert to the east and Casco Peak along the ridgeline to the northeast.

The route is fairly obvious until just before a boulder field. Carons will mark the way through, though it may be hard to follow. There are two options, you can either break trail up a steep and loose rocky incline to make the ridge or follow a herd path through the brush to end of the valley.

Casco Peak from the South Ridge

There are downsides to both options, taking the ridge will require scrambling up bothersome terrain. Following the path may test your route finding abilities to direct you through the brush. If going by the ridge, you will find a class 2 scramble all the way towards the summit. By taking the trail, you can avoid some ups and downs and approach the peak up the saddle just before the final push towards the summit to the north. From the saddle there is an obvious trail to the summit.

Camping

There are two camping sites within 5 miles of the Echo Canyon Trailhead and they both are along Colorado 82 to the east. Parry Peak Campground and Twin Peaks Campground both can be fairly crowded but you should be able to find room. Twin Peaks is a mile or so closer, and they both are along a creek.