Some friends and I were looking to hit Elbert in the summer of 2007...
Could I get some advice from some people who've hiked it, please?
We are flatlanders from Ohio, however, three of the four of us planning on the trip hiked Mt. Whitney in 2004 (acclimation was difficult at first, but we made it successfully).
My big questions are:
In MANY pictures, people appear to have VERY small packs (almost like JanSport bookbags) and that's it...obviously on Whitney we spent the night and needed much more gear, but for a day trip, I assume the usual food and water and perhaps a trekking pole or two is all that is needed?
What is the camping situation in the area like?
What would be an approximate timeframe for a hike for people in pretty good shape? It seems like 6 to 8 hours is the norm?
What is the snow condition in July or August? Would an ice axe be needed?
Obviously, the big danger appears to be from thunderstorms, and hiking early as possible seems to be the best advice…right?
What about lodging around the area? Any good local eateries / watering holes that are recommended?
Day hiking gear is fine. You can camp at the trailhead (South Mt. Elbert Trail - Lakeview Campground). 6-8 hours is a good timeframe for a fit flatlander. Start at first light...before sunrise to avoid storms. Get off the mountain if you see dark puffy clouds forming. Snow is not a factor in July and August. There is a bed and breakfast in Twin Lakes and lodging and restaurants in Leadville and Buena Vista. Check out the Mt. Elbert page for more info. Good luck on your climb.
Back in 2003, I started wanting to climb or hike Elbert, but guidebooks in stores around here had no info and I wasn't about to start taking chances on books I could order but not look at first. So I started looking online, and I think it was at GORP that I found a link to some site called SummitPost, and it took me to this page, where I found useful information. I ended up joining this site and using it and the Roach guide to plan a 2004 trip to climb about 20 of the 14ers. I'm not much interested in 14ers anymore and haven't touched one since 2005, but I appreciated the good information I found here. So this site, and this page, are somewhat to blame for what I've become!
I can't blame the page, but I can blame Elbert for my mountaineering addiction. After being above treeline, I decided that this was where I liked to be. Too bad I live in Oklahoma, or I would be above treeline every weekend.
Alan Ellis - Aug 12, 2004 9:20 am - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentGood luck on your Elbert and Longs Peak climb. If you have any questions about Elbert or the area, don't hesitate to drop me an email.
Alan
Brad Snider - Sep 21, 2004 10:03 pm - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentVery complete and informative page. Keep up the good work!
Alan Ellis - Sep 22, 2004 9:22 am - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentThanks for the comments and the vote.
Alan
Alan Ellis - Nov 14, 2004 9:08 am - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentRyan, thanks for the vote.
Alan
Johan Heersink - Feb 10, 2005 4:35 am - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentVery good, detailed page!
bigwilly - Mar 18, 2005 3:02 pm - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentVery good with lots of information. I like the bit about the contoversy between Elbert and Massive as high points.
Alan Ellis - Mar 19, 2005 9:26 pm - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentThanks for the vote.
Alan
Alan Ellis - Apr 29, 2005 1:53 pm - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentThanks for the vote.
Alan
nomad - Aug 29, 2005 12:11 pm - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentGreat page, the profile of Colorado mountains look like Iran's Alborz range
Alan Ellis - Aug 29, 2005 5:43 pm - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentThanks for the vote.
AE
BobSmith - Oct 15, 2005 8:35 pm - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentMissed this one! Great post!
Hell. I can hike up this one!
Dow Williams - Dec 5, 2005 11:10 am - Voted 10/10
Untitled Commentamazing page Alan, one of the most popular mts in lower 48 obviously...cheers
2skinners - Jan 16, 2006 1:40 pm - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentExcellent page!!
James C - Jan 27, 2006 7:26 pm - Voted 10/10
Untitled CommentGreaT JOB Alan
csmcgranahan - Mar 13, 2006 3:44 am - Voted 10/10
Really nice!Great page!!!
mcmillb1 - Jul 26, 2006 4:57 pm - Hasn't voted
Mt. Elbert First Time QuestionsHey!
Some friends and I were looking to hit Elbert in the summer of 2007...
Could I get some advice from some people who've hiked it, please?
We are flatlanders from Ohio, however, three of the four of us planning on the trip hiked Mt. Whitney in 2004 (acclimation was difficult at first, but we made it successfully).
My big questions are:
In MANY pictures, people appear to have VERY small packs (almost like JanSport bookbags) and that's it...obviously on Whitney we spent the night and needed much more gear, but for a day trip, I assume the usual food and water and perhaps a trekking pole or two is all that is needed?
What is the camping situation in the area like?
What would be an approximate timeframe for a hike for people in pretty good shape? It seems like 6 to 8 hours is the norm?
What is the snow condition in July or August? Would an ice axe be needed?
Obviously, the big danger appears to be from thunderstorms, and hiking early as possible seems to be the best advice…right?
What about lodging around the area? Any good local eateries / watering holes that are recommended?
Anything else I might have missed?
Thanks for any help!
Brett
Alan Ellis - Jul 26, 2006 11:39 pm - Voted 10/10
Re: Mt. Elbert First Time QuestionsDay hiking gear is fine. You can camp at the trailhead (South Mt. Elbert Trail - Lakeview Campground). 6-8 hours is a good timeframe for a fit flatlander. Start at first light...before sunrise to avoid storms. Get off the mountain if you see dark puffy clouds forming. Snow is not a factor in July and August. There is a bed and breakfast in Twin Lakes and lodging and restaurants in Leadville and Buena Vista. Check out the Mt. Elbert page for more info. Good luck on your climb.
AE
Bob Sihler - Jan 9, 2010 9:26 am - Voted 10/10
This page is to blame.Back in 2003, I started wanting to climb or hike Elbert, but guidebooks in stores around here had no info and I wasn't about to start taking chances on books I could order but not look at first. So I started looking online, and I think it was at GORP that I found a link to some site called SummitPost, and it took me to this page, where I found useful information. I ended up joining this site and using it and the Roach guide to plan a 2004 trip to climb about 20 of the 14ers. I'm not much interested in 14ers anymore and haven't touched one since 2005, but I appreciated the good information I found here. So this site, and this page, are somewhat to blame for what I've become!
Alan Ellis - Jan 9, 2010 10:42 pm - Voted 10/10
Re: This page is to blame.I can't blame the page, but I can blame Elbert for my mountaineering addiction. After being above treeline, I decided that this was where I liked to be. Too bad I live in Oklahoma, or I would be above treeline every weekend.
JohnMcPike - Oct 23, 2010 9:31 pm - Hasn't voted
North Elbert Trail pageWhat happened to it?