Started out from the standard / North ridge TH. Camping at or really even near the TH? A one time mistake - people literally rolling up blasting music and singing along @ 3am x_X Hiked with a buddy until 12.5K ft or so, at which point they bailed with altitude related issues. Moved slow up to the summit - 50mph+ gusts up top. Cool to be on the top of CO! Saw some CFI crews doing trail maintenance lower on the mountain and thanked them for their service. Truck to truck in ~9hrs
nathan.olds - Jul 11, 2024 9:19 am Date Climbed: Jul 10, 2024
Highest dog in Colorado
Hiked via N Mt Elbert trail with a friend and his dog. Great trail conditions and beautiful views.
Musisca - May 4, 2024 6:18 am Date Climbed: Aug 8, 2022
Epic Hike We Almost Didn't Start
I summited Elbert (HP #18) with my best friend who lives in Colorado and has shared a couple of 14rs summits with me. We almost decided not to attempt to get to the trailhead by car because the road is significantly eroded. Bring a 4WD vehicle with a high chassis to get there or else you'll add another 1.5 miles each way on your attempt. I hit a deer the night before on the highway that caused minor damage, but made us even more reticent to make this attempt. So be careful driving around sunset because they are active. We stayed the night at Twin Lakes Campground which provides a great acclimation point at 10,000 feet overnight. The weather ultimately was gorgeous with just a few clouds up top. The summit was decently populated with a couple of dozen people enjoying the day. The main challenge for this summit is altitude. Bring lots of water, food and as always keep an eye on the weather for those afternoon storms.
clarkr - Sep 8, 2023 3:24 pm Date Climbed: Aug 29, 2023
Mt. Elbert Co.
Via Northeast ridge. Beautiful weather. 10 hours round trip.
ethanemcgregor - Aug 29, 2023 8:32 am Date Climbed: Aug 23, 2023
Mount Elbert Summit
Great weather and visibility. About 5 hours round trip.
David Mortensen - Jul 15, 2023 8:02 pm Date Climbed: Jul 15, 2023
Elbert
Melissa and I spent the night in Leadville. We began the hike at the North Elbert Trailhead at 5am (parking lot was full). The weather was pleasant and we watched the sunrise on the way up. We just hiked slow and steady. Melissa got a little bit of altitude sickness, but she made it. We enjoyed the views on top. I am glad to have summited the highest mountain in the Rockies!
Hyadventure - Jul 7, 2023 7:30 am Date Climbed: May 17, 2014
Great spring conditions
That was a big snow year in Colorado. I had planned to save Elbert for my Colorado Finisher, because of the snow, that was one of the few trailheads accessible that weekend.
It was clear, slightly windy day. The mountain was packed by mid day. Started really early so not too bad.
cmcalhoun - Jun 17, 2023 6:16 am Date Climbed: Aug 1, 2020
Elbert
SE Ridge
JThorne - Feb 27, 2023 8:10 am Date Climbed: Jul 16, 2003
Mt Elbert
East Ridge
JThorne - Feb 27, 2023 8:09 am Date Climbed: Jun 5, 2002
First 14er!
Northeast Ridge
Jowzynkyn - Aug 27, 2022 10:35 am Date Climbed: Aug 22, 2022
Black Cloud in the Dark with a sprained ankle
9 hours C2C, the Black Cloud SE trail is brutal from ~10,000 to 13,500 feet, and I tagged Cosgriff while I was over there. The ridgeline is long but easy to the true summit, it took me over an hour (might be something like 2 miles). Nasty afternoon fog/thunderstorms had me shivering but didn't give up and made it without becoming charred climber. Got lost on the way down, looking for Black Cloud from Cosgriff saddle, eventually found it in the dark, and proceeded to roll my ankle (again) only two days after I had rolled it during a game of ultimate frisbee. Made it out in the dark of night at 11PM, only one on the trail the entire time, I saw three people descending the north route when I reached the summit.
samquandt - May 15, 2022 8:43 pm Date Climbed: Sep 5, 2020
First 14er, Colorado Highpoint
Climbed in September 2020, two days before a major snowstorm. Started about 4am, as we didn't sleep too well camping. Full moon led the way. Had some nice time to ourselves at the summit before the swarm coming up the mountain arrived.
LouisFasano32 - Dec 16, 2021 11:34 pm Date Climbed: Aug 10, 2019
Short acclimatization perod
Drove from Oklahoma to hike this one. Spend the first day hiking Black Mesa in OK and car camping at a rest stop in Pueblo. Spent the second night at a friends in Denver and then summited on the 3rd day. Barely made the peak before the headache began but still made it.
IronHiker - Oct 11, 2021 10:44 am Date Climbed: Sep 5, 2021
Strike mission
Wife and I flew into Denver, then drove to Copper Mountain to spend the night. Met up with a college buddy and his wife the next morning and went up the North Elbert Trail. Crowded trail all the way. Got lucky with crystal clear weather. Flew home the next day. For everyone but me, this was their first 14er.
runbyu1 - Sep 26, 2021 8:53 pm Date Climbed: Aug 6, 2021
Did Elbert as Road to Massive TH was Closed - 50 minute descent
Plan B: Mount Elbert: Highest Peak in Colorado
2nd highest mountain in the Continental US 75' or so behind Mt. Whitney which I did 13 years ago. It was hot & 18oz of water is all I had. Felt pretty bad the entire time, and bonked about 1.5 miles from the Elbert Trailhead on the way down.
Plan was to do Mt. Massive SW slopes today, but the road was closed 6.5 miles before the trailhead and 1.5 miles before the Mt. Elbert Trailhead. Given the weather that was supposed to roll in in 3 hours, I decided I didn't have time to drive somewhere else and my best bet was to give Elbert a shot. Unfortunately I was only prepared for the much shorter jaunt up Mt. Massive, so I was short on calories and water. My 18oz was fine for 3 hours, but I definitely needed more after that. Despite the bonk, still made it from summit to trailhead in under 50 minutes
Odycus - Sep 2, 2021 8:58 am Date Climbed: Aug 30, 2021
Easy is in the eye of the hiker
This is a technically simple hike, my first class 1 14er. However, that doesn’t diminish the fact that it features something approaching 30-40% grades above 13000’ for the hardest 3/4 mile of the hike, which still tests VO2 max in a significant way and requires careful stepping on the descent.
admiralcapn - Aug 13, 2021 7:08 pm Date Climbed: Aug 8, 2021
Short Acclimatization
We drove directly from PA to CO in about 29 hours, slept overnight and climbed early the next morning. Mountain was spectacular, but would not recommend such a short acclimatization period.
SabineInUtah - Sep 30, 2024 4:22 pm Date Climbed: Jul 28, 1991
Long time agoOne of my first 14ners. Climbed with RDB.
JLuthanen - Jul 15, 2024 8:27 pm Date Climbed: Jul 2, 2024
This is a big bastardStarted out from the standard / North ridge TH. Camping at or really even near the TH? A one time mistake - people literally rolling up blasting music and singing along @ 3am x_X Hiked with a buddy until 12.5K ft or so, at which point they bailed with altitude related issues. Moved slow up to the summit - 50mph+ gusts up top. Cool to be on the top of CO! Saw some CFI crews doing trail maintenance lower on the mountain and thanked them for their service. Truck to truck in ~9hrs
nathan.olds - Jul 11, 2024 9:19 am Date Climbed: Jul 10, 2024
Highest dog in ColoradoHiked via N Mt Elbert trail with a friend and his dog. Great trail conditions and beautiful views.
Musisca - May 4, 2024 6:18 am Date Climbed: Aug 8, 2022
Epic Hike We Almost Didn't StartI summited Elbert (HP #18) with my best friend who lives in Colorado and has shared a couple of 14rs summits with me. We almost decided not to attempt to get to the trailhead by car because the road is significantly eroded. Bring a 4WD vehicle with a high chassis to get there or else you'll add another 1.5 miles each way on your attempt. I hit a deer the night before on the highway that caused minor damage, but made us even more reticent to make this attempt. So be careful driving around sunset because they are active. We stayed the night at Twin Lakes Campground which provides a great acclimation point at 10,000 feet overnight. The weather ultimately was gorgeous with just a few clouds up top. The summit was decently populated with a couple of dozen people enjoying the day. The main challenge for this summit is altitude. Bring lots of water, food and as always keep an eye on the weather for those afternoon storms.
clarkr - Sep 8, 2023 3:24 pm Date Climbed: Aug 29, 2023
Mt. Elbert Co.Via Northeast ridge. Beautiful weather. 10 hours round trip.
ethanemcgregor - Aug 29, 2023 8:32 am Date Climbed: Aug 23, 2023
Mount Elbert SummitGreat weather and visibility. About 5 hours round trip.
David Mortensen - Jul 15, 2023 8:02 pm Date Climbed: Jul 15, 2023
ElbertMelissa and I spent the night in Leadville. We began the hike at the North Elbert Trailhead at 5am (parking lot was full). The weather was pleasant and we watched the sunrise on the way up. We just hiked slow and steady. Melissa got a little bit of altitude sickness, but she made it. We enjoyed the views on top. I am glad to have summited the highest mountain in the Rockies!
Hyadventure - Jul 7, 2023 7:30 am Date Climbed: May 17, 2014
Great spring conditionsThat was a big snow year in Colorado. I had planned to save Elbert for my Colorado Finisher, because of the snow, that was one of the few trailheads accessible that weekend.
eferesen - Jul 3, 2023 1:45 pm Date Climbed: Jul 2, 2023
Wonderful DayIt was clear, slightly windy day. The mountain was packed by mid day. Started really early so not too bad.
cmcalhoun - Jun 17, 2023 6:16 am Date Climbed: Aug 1, 2020
ElbertSE Ridge
JThorne - Feb 27, 2023 8:10 am Date Climbed: Jul 16, 2003
Mt ElbertEast Ridge
JThorne - Feb 27, 2023 8:09 am Date Climbed: Jun 5, 2002
First 14er!Northeast Ridge
Jowzynkyn - Aug 27, 2022 10:35 am Date Climbed: Aug 22, 2022
Black Cloud in the Dark with a sprained ankle9 hours C2C, the Black Cloud SE trail is brutal from ~10,000 to 13,500 feet, and I tagged Cosgriff while I was over there. The ridgeline is long but easy to the true summit, it took me over an hour (might be something like 2 miles). Nasty afternoon fog/thunderstorms had me shivering but didn't give up and made it without becoming charred climber. Got lost on the way down, looking for Black Cloud from Cosgriff saddle, eventually found it in the dark, and proceeded to roll my ankle (again) only two days after I had rolled it during a game of ultimate frisbee. Made it out in the dark of night at 11PM, only one on the trail the entire time, I saw three people descending the north route when I reached the summit.
samquandt - May 15, 2022 8:43 pm Date Climbed: Sep 5, 2020
First 14er, Colorado HighpointClimbed in September 2020, two days before a major snowstorm. Started about 4am, as we didn't sleep too well camping. Full moon led the way. Had some nice time to ourselves at the summit before the swarm coming up the mountain arrived.
LouisFasano32 - Dec 16, 2021 11:34 pm Date Climbed: Aug 10, 2019
Short acclimatization perodDrove from Oklahoma to hike this one. Spend the first day hiking Black Mesa in OK and car camping at a rest stop in Pueblo. Spent the second night at a friends in Denver and then summited on the 3rd day. Barely made the peak before the headache began but still made it.
IronHiker - Oct 11, 2021 10:44 am Date Climbed: Sep 5, 2021
Strike missionWife and I flew into Denver, then drove to Copper Mountain to spend the night. Met up with a college buddy and his wife the next morning and went up the North Elbert Trail. Crowded trail all the way. Got lucky with crystal clear weather. Flew home the next day. For everyone but me, this was their first 14er.
runbyu1 - Sep 26, 2021 8:53 pm Date Climbed: Aug 6, 2021
Did Elbert as Road to Massive TH was Closed - 50 minute descentPlan B: Mount Elbert: Highest Peak in Colorado
2nd highest mountain in the Continental US 75' or so behind Mt. Whitney which I did 13 years ago. It was hot & 18oz of water is all I had. Felt pretty bad the entire time, and bonked about 1.5 miles from the Elbert Trailhead on the way down.
Plan was to do Mt. Massive SW slopes today, but the road was closed 6.5 miles before the trailhead and 1.5 miles before the Mt. Elbert Trailhead. Given the weather that was supposed to roll in in 3 hours, I decided I didn't have time to drive somewhere else and my best bet was to give Elbert a shot. Unfortunately I was only prepared for the much shorter jaunt up Mt. Massive, so I was short on calories and water. My 18oz was fine for 3 hours, but I definitely needed more after that. Despite the bonk, still made it from summit to trailhead in under 50 minutes
Odycus - Sep 2, 2021 8:58 am Date Climbed: Aug 30, 2021
Easy is in the eye of the hikerThis is a technically simple hike, my first class 1 14er. However, that doesn’t diminish the fact that it features something approaching 30-40% grades above 13000’ for the hardest 3/4 mile of the hike, which still tests VO2 max in a significant way and requires careful stepping on the descent.
admiralcapn - Aug 13, 2021 7:08 pm Date Climbed: Aug 8, 2021
Short AcclimatizationWe drove directly from PA to CO in about 29 hours, slept overnight and climbed early the next morning. Mountain was spectacular, but would not recommend such a short acclimatization period.
wyatt_meyers - Jul 25, 2021 10:50 pm Date Climbed: Jul 27, 2020
Great day with great people!Simple hike up on a trail the whole way. Leg burner with beautiful views! Drank whiskey and socialized on top with Aiden. Not a drop of rain all day!