vimana aircraft - Dec 25, 2015 3:35 pm Date Climbed: Oct 8, 2015
Elbert :-)
Beautiful day!!!!!!!!
bdz132 - Dec 17, 2015 2:03 pm Date Climbed: Dec 14, 2015
Elbert East Ridge
I made this a two-day climb, hiking to 11,650' the first day and camping in the snow. The second day I reached the summit by noon and then hiked out. There was deep snow below treeline requiring snowshoes.
scgrant - Nov 30, 2015 7:26 pm Date Climbed: Oct 2, 2015
Mount Elbert
I left after work from Salt Lake the day before and arrived at the trailhead area around 1 am. Found a great place to car camp a couple miles before the trailhead. I was hiking in the clouds in the early morning but by around the 12,000' mark broke through and the views were awesome. Fun start to a Colorado 14er weekend.
Flew out to Colorado from Pennsylvania by my lonesome back in 2013. Hiked up to the summit of Pikes two days earlier, and then decided to give Elbert a go too.
The weather on this day was rather lousy, with storms rolling in as I was heading up top. I started at around 8 am, and made the summit before 11 am. I was back to my car by 12:30 pm.
In my opinion, this was a pretty easy hike. The warnings of it being a 5 hour ascent (there is a sign along the trail with a carving saying 5 hours to the top) were WAY overstated... It took me about 5 hours round trip. Regardless, it was awesome to stand on top of Colorado!
tripman1 - Sep 10, 2015 6:00 pm Date Climbed: Aug 30, 2013
1st attempt
Tougher than I thought for a class 2, similar to hiking stadium steps or Red Rocks amphitheater.
Anyone climbing Mt Elbert this weekend? august 22nd or 23rd?
jcscratch1 - Aug 16, 2015 10:40 pm Date Climbed: Aug 9, 2015
Gorgeous Day
Lucked out last Sunday--perfect weather. Could have stayed at the top all day. A far cry from 2003 when my wife and I were nearly struck by lightning on an unsuccessful attempt!
Did the north trail. About 6 hours round trip. I'd recommend the south trail if you have a 4x4 (you don't need the 4WD, but you need the ground clearance--I made it to the creek just before the upper trailhead, but bottomed out BIG TIME).
You never see Elbert on the north trail until you hit the last false summitt (the huge rock cairn) about 1/3 mile before the top. Plus, the scramble part on the north trail blows.
mgriffin015 - Aug 14, 2015 1:15 pm Date Climbed: Aug 10, 2015
Those False Summits Though...
Decided to climb Elbert on our way out of Breckenridge, nice long trail but those 2 or 3 false summits are absolutely soul crushing, not to mention when it starts clouding up and it becomes a race against time
islandborn11 - Aug 13, 2015 10:17 pm Date Climbed: Aug 7, 2015
Altitude was a bear.
My sister and I flew in from Oakland the night before, drove to Leadville, and stayed in the Super 8. We hit the trail about 8:15 and took about seven hours up and back on the North trail. We tried to set a normal pace but had a lot of trouble and had to rest due to shortness of breath. It gets a little discouraging in the final hour with all the false summits but other climbers kept our spirits up by saying the worst was over. The top was great, although a little crowded. Amazing views and very satisfying. Great wildlife on this hike too, including deer, pikas, marmots, birds, and a single mountain goat. One of my favorite ever hikes so far.
Treeline12000 - Aug 13, 2015 6:58 pm Date Climbed: Sep 6, 2008
Mt. Elbert
Great hike. Had a hail storm near the summit in September.
blueshade - Aug 3, 2015 11:48 am Date Climbed: Aug 1, 2015
Elbert
Finally got around to climbing CO's highest peak. Up in 2:20 with no stopping. Packed summit and trail- never seen so many people on a mountain besides Half Dome and a few others.
4 hours and 12 minutes to the summit, 12 minutes longer than our goal. Excellent weather but huge crowds. There had to be at least 200 other people on the trail and 50 on the summit. This is my 6th state high point and my wife's fourth.
IagosGhost - Jul 6, 2015 10:53 am Date Climbed: Jul 2, 2015
Father and Son 1st 14er
My son and I climbed our first 14er and my tenth state high point. We met a group from Branson, Missouri which is not far from where I live. We hiked all the way with members of the group. At the top we got some hail, and on the way down we got buzzed by some lightning. I was in shape for the climb, but my son had a hard time with it. There easily 50 other people on the trail throughout the hike. Great experience over all.
Hiker4life - Feb 28, 2015 9:20 pm Date Climbed: Aug 19, 2007
First CO 14er
On a camping trip with some friends from the Denver area, I started my quest to visit all of the CO 14ers with the highest (and one of the easiest). Made summit in 3 hours. Just made it back to the TH before the T-storms rolled in at 2 PM.
After a long climb Mt. Massive the day before, somehow we managed to make it up Elbert via trail. I'm more used to altitude and the rigors of climbing; however I suspect this would still be quite an undertaking even now. It was a gorgeous day and I can remember thinking after this trip that the mountains were where I wanted to be as much as possible. I was hooked!
HawkeyeHuff - Jan 26, 2015 4:47 am Date Climbed: Jul 29, 2003
Mt Elbert
After flying in the night before from Alaska and spending the night at the youth hostel in Leadville, I hit the trailhead at 7:20am on an overcast morning. I immediately felt the effects of altitude as I struggled up the trail with many brief stops along the way. As I approached treeline (about 11,600 elevation) it began to rain and many hikers gathered in the protection of the edge of the trees to consider their options. Some of us continued on as the rain let up. After climbing onto the ridge and then reaching the first false summit - a large rock heap - we encountered rain once again, then sleet. After waiting for a half hour with a handful of other determined hikers, the skies began to clear up and we proceeded on to the summit, reaching it in georgeous weather at 11:40 - 4 1/2 hours after my start. Not too bad considering how tough it was on me. Among those who waited out the weather with me were Keith Gogan and Beth from Tulsa (Keith teaches backpacking at Oral Roberts U & Beth had been one of Keith's students. And Larry and Carol from Colorado as well as Larry's mother, Rebecca, joined us and made the top. Rebecca, from Tucson, has a fear of heights and had never done anything like this before. What an accomplishment for her! The view from the top was spectacular. After staying for 20 minutes I scampered back down and got to my car in 2 hours.
Steve Hufford
Anchorage, AK USA
siekkid - Jan 7, 2015 1:50 pm Date Climbed: Aug 1, 1996
1st State HP!
This was a terrific hike with my best friend Chris... a couple of 18 year olds without a care in the world! Spent 3 weeks in Leadville
vimana aircraft - Dec 25, 2015 3:35 pm Date Climbed: Oct 8, 2015
Elbert :-)Beautiful day!!!!!!!!
bdz132 - Dec 17, 2015 2:03 pm Date Climbed: Dec 14, 2015
Elbert East RidgeI made this a two-day climb, hiking to 11,650' the first day and camping in the snow. The second day I reached the summit by noon and then hiked out. There was deep snow below treeline requiring snowshoes.
scgrant - Nov 30, 2015 7:26 pm Date Climbed: Oct 2, 2015
Mount ElbertI left after work from Salt Lake the day before and arrived at the trailhead area around 1 am. Found a great place to car camp a couple miles before the trailhead. I was hiking in the clouds in the early morning but by around the 12,000' mark broke through and the views were awesome. Fun start to a Colorado 14er weekend.
TheWolfIsLoose - Nov 2, 2015 12:19 pm
Second FourteenerFlew out to Colorado from Pennsylvania by my lonesome back in 2013. Hiked up to the summit of Pikes two days earlier, and then decided to give Elbert a go too.
The weather on this day was rather lousy, with storms rolling in as I was heading up top. I started at around 8 am, and made the summit before 11 am. I was back to my car by 12:30 pm.
In my opinion, this was a pretty easy hike. The warnings of it being a 5 hour ascent (there is a sign along the trail with a carving saying 5 hours to the top) were WAY overstated... It took me about 5 hours round trip. Regardless, it was awesome to stand on top of Colorado!
tripman1 - Sep 10, 2015 6:00 pm Date Climbed: Aug 30, 2013
1st attemptTougher than I thought for a class 2, similar to hiking stadium steps or Red Rocks amphitheater.
fallonclimbs - Sep 9, 2015 12:20 am
My first 14er back in 2012This was my first 14er back in 2012 and I loved the easy hike with nice views.
brichardsson - Sep 6, 2015 12:16 am Date Climbed: Sep 1, 2015
great viewsunbelievable really. first co 14er and what an experience.
digman - Sep 2, 2015 5:21 pm Date Climbed: Aug 24, 2015
Family hikeVery very windy but beautiful clear day. Wonderful first 14er!
nelsontod - Aug 21, 2015 11:57 am
looking for climber for elbert this weekendAnyone climbing Mt Elbert this weekend? august 22nd or 23rd?
jcscratch1 - Aug 16, 2015 10:40 pm Date Climbed: Aug 9, 2015
Gorgeous DayLucked out last Sunday--perfect weather. Could have stayed at the top all day. A far cry from 2003 when my wife and I were nearly struck by lightning on an unsuccessful attempt!
Did the north trail. About 6 hours round trip. I'd recommend the south trail if you have a 4x4 (you don't need the 4WD, but you need the ground clearance--I made it to the creek just before the upper trailhead, but bottomed out BIG TIME).
You never see Elbert on the north trail until you hit the last false summitt (the huge rock cairn) about 1/3 mile before the top. Plus, the scramble part on the north trail blows.
mgriffin015 - Aug 14, 2015 1:15 pm Date Climbed: Aug 10, 2015
Those False Summits Though...Decided to climb Elbert on our way out of Breckenridge, nice long trail but those 2 or 3 false summits are absolutely soul crushing, not to mention when it starts clouding up and it becomes a race against time
islandborn11 - Aug 13, 2015 10:17 pm Date Climbed: Aug 7, 2015
Altitude was a bear.My sister and I flew in from Oakland the night before, drove to Leadville, and stayed in the Super 8. We hit the trail about 8:15 and took about seven hours up and back on the North trail. We tried to set a normal pace but had a lot of trouble and had to rest due to shortness of breath. It gets a little discouraging in the final hour with all the false summits but other climbers kept our spirits up by saying the worst was over. The top was great, although a little crowded. Amazing views and very satisfying. Great wildlife on this hike too, including deer, pikas, marmots, birds, and a single mountain goat. One of my favorite ever hikes so far.
Treeline12000 - Aug 13, 2015 6:58 pm Date Climbed: Sep 6, 2008
Mt. ElbertGreat hike. Had a hail storm near the summit in September.
blueshade - Aug 3, 2015 11:48 am Date Climbed: Aug 1, 2015
ElbertFinally got around to climbing CO's highest peak. Up in 2:20 with no stopping. Packed summit and trail- never seen so many people on a mountain besides Half Dome and a few others.
merrill - Jul 28, 2015 11:30 pm Date Climbed: Jul 23, 2015
North Elbert4 hours and 12 minutes to the summit, 12 minutes longer than our goal. Excellent weather but huge crowds. There had to be at least 200 other people on the trail and 50 on the summit. This is my 6th state high point and my wife's fourth.
IagosGhost - Jul 6, 2015 10:53 am Date Climbed: Jul 2, 2015
Father and Son 1st 14erMy son and I climbed our first 14er and my tenth state high point. We met a group from Branson, Missouri which is not far from where I live. We hiked all the way with members of the group. At the top we got some hail, and on the way down we got buzzed by some lightning. I was in shape for the climb, but my son had a hard time with it. There easily 50 other people on the trail throughout the hike. Great experience over all.
Hiker4life - Feb 28, 2015 9:20 pm Date Climbed: Aug 19, 2007
First CO 14erOn a camping trip with some friends from the Denver area, I started my quest to visit all of the CO 14ers with the highest (and one of the easiest). Made summit in 3 hours. Just made it back to the TH before the T-storms rolled in at 2 PM.
dino61111 - Jan 31, 2015 1:33 pm
From Elbert campgroundAfter a long climb Mt. Massive the day before, somehow we managed to make it up Elbert via trail. I'm more used to altitude and the rigors of climbing; however I suspect this would still be quite an undertaking even now. It was a gorgeous day and I can remember thinking after this trip that the mountains were where I wanted to be as much as possible. I was hooked!
HawkeyeHuff - Jan 26, 2015 4:47 am Date Climbed: Jul 29, 2003
Mt ElbertAfter flying in the night before from Alaska and spending the night at the youth hostel in Leadville, I hit the trailhead at 7:20am on an overcast morning. I immediately felt the effects of altitude as I struggled up the trail with many brief stops along the way. As I approached treeline (about 11,600 elevation) it began to rain and many hikers gathered in the protection of the edge of the trees to consider their options. Some of us continued on as the rain let up. After climbing onto the ridge and then reaching the first false summit - a large rock heap - we encountered rain once again, then sleet. After waiting for a half hour with a handful of other determined hikers, the skies began to clear up and we proceeded on to the summit, reaching it in georgeous weather at 11:40 - 4 1/2 hours after my start. Not too bad considering how tough it was on me. Among those who waited out the weather with me were Keith Gogan and Beth from Tulsa (Keith teaches backpacking at Oral Roberts U & Beth had been one of Keith's students. And Larry and Carol from Colorado as well as Larry's mother, Rebecca, joined us and made the top. Rebecca, from Tucson, has a fear of heights and had never done anything like this before. What an accomplishment for her! The view from the top was spectacular. After staying for 20 minutes I scampered back down and got to my car in 2 hours.
Steve Hufford
Anchorage, AK USA
siekkid - Jan 7, 2015 1:50 pm Date Climbed: Aug 1, 1996
1st State HP!This was a terrific hike with my best friend Chris... a couple of 18 year olds without a care in the world! Spent 3 weeks in Leadville