I camped at a nice spot in the trees just past the trailhead, started hiking by 7am, spent about 1/2 hour on the crowded summit and was back at camp in 6 1/2 hours. Perfect weather except for a few sprinkles just before finishing. My first Colorado 14er.
swenspud - Apr 7, 2017 10:55 pm Date Climbed: Mar 2, 2017
Quick Trip
Made a quick trip into Colorado. 8 hours of driving, 4 hours of sleep, 10 hours of climbing, with another 8 hours of driving. Did this one with a 45lb pack on my back. The many false summits toward the end were definitely brutal.
I had my son waiting in the car while I ran it as fast as I could....
Senad Rizvanovic - Apr 3, 2013 4:17 pm Date Climbed: Mar 21, 2010
Spring
Spring welcomer hike, long hike from summer trailhead, snowshow from TH to the summit. Long but, very rewarding day.
Trailboss88 - Oct 30, 2012 11:24 pm Date Climbed: Oct 30, 2012
easy
Rallied up with ideal conditions all day. Not enough snow to worry about.
JoelPilger - Jun 24, 2012 12:42 am Date Climbed: Aug 7, 2004
Highest but not hardest
South approach a very good trail, above treeline the route is pretty steady up (not many switchbacks). Summit views are amazing.
justinjohnsen - May 1, 2012 1:22 pm Date Climbed: Mar 25, 2012
Snow hike
Invited by a group of friends from East Coast cities, and from Denver. Up with microspikes before dawn, a windy but clear summit, and snowshoes for part of the descent as it warmed up and got slushy. Excellent introduction to the Rocky Mountains, my first time there.
Andrew Rankine - Nov 4, 2011 5:14 pm Date Climbed: Sep 4, 2010
A long day
Hiked while sick up this one.
txhiker76 - Jul 14, 2011 11:55 am Date Climbed: Jul 12, 2011
2nd attempt successful
Was turned around in 2010 due to weather. Day started off nice. When I arrived at the peak clouds moved in and it started snowing. Views were not all that great. This was a tough hike for me, but I'm glad I made it.
txhiker76 - Aug 5, 2010 7:55 pm Date Climbed: Aug 3, 2010
Fun but upsetting
Climbed to around 13000, dark clouds started moving in, some of the locals were turning around and recommended we do the same. Hard decision, nice hike anyway.
Hey there....planning on going August 27. Question, since you were just there, what trail did you take? Also, if you took the South Mt Elbert Trail...did you drive to the upper trail-head? If so, what was the road condition? I have 2 four wheel drives with skid plates, but wondered how much clearance I need so I can decide weather to take my Ram 2500 or Jeep Liberty (preferred). Looks like we have trekked the same places...Guadalupe, Wheeler. :) Have an excellent weekend, Patrick-Albuquerque
Started 12 hours later than planned on day one, as the sun was setting: bad planning. A two day climb in at least 6 feet of snow without snow shoes; Completely exhausting post-holing- luckily there was a hard pack beneath the fresh snow that yeilded some solidity to keep our post holes around thigh to waist deep. Even still it was exhausting, and due to extreme temperature drops overnight our water supplies had frozen. Still we made a push for the summit; we were forced to turn back due to dehydration just above treeline.
keenanrobbins - Nov 27, 2008 12:35 am Date Climbed: Aug 10, 2002
Mt. Elbert
Ran up with my college cross country team.
A bit windy and cold with light flurries on top, but otherwise a great morning.
tioga - Sep 28, 2007 1:09 pm Date Climbed: Aug 20, 2006
Good Trip
Climbed this to the top of Mt Elbert with my brother. We had a good day and a fun trip.
A Bit - Aug 21, 2007 10:48 pm Date Climbed: Sep 19, 1996
South Mt. Elbert Trail
There was some snowfall the day & night before, but not enough to obscure the trail. A great day, but heavy winds did cut down on summit time.
Vic Hanson - Jul 19, 2017 2:01 pm Date Climbed: Jul 10, 2017
Beautiful dayI camped at a nice spot in the trees just past the trailhead, started hiking by 7am, spent about 1/2 hour on the crowded summit and was back at camp in 6 1/2 hours. Perfect weather except for a few sprinkles just before finishing. My first Colorado 14er.
swenspud - Apr 7, 2017 10:55 pm Date Climbed: Mar 2, 2017
Quick TripMade a quick trip into Colorado. 8 hours of driving, 4 hours of sleep, 10 hours of climbing, with another 8 hours of driving. Did this one with a 45lb pack on my back. The many false summits toward the end were definitely brutal.
hightinerary - Jan 9, 2017 10:08 am
Intro to 14ersI've hiked up this route twice. It's nice for when your partner isn't so adventurous.
Liba Kopeckova - Jul 29, 2013 9:46 pm
nice trail runI had my son waiting in the car while I ran it as fast as I could....
Senad Rizvanovic - Apr 3, 2013 4:17 pm Date Climbed: Mar 21, 2010
SpringSpring welcomer hike, long hike from summer trailhead, snowshow from TH to the summit. Long but, very rewarding day.
Trailboss88 - Oct 30, 2012 11:24 pm Date Climbed: Oct 30, 2012
easyRallied up with ideal conditions all day. Not enough snow to worry about.
JoelPilger - Jun 24, 2012 12:42 am Date Climbed: Aug 7, 2004
Highest but not hardestSouth approach a very good trail, above treeline the route is pretty steady up (not many switchbacks). Summit views are amazing.
justinjohnsen - May 1, 2012 1:22 pm Date Climbed: Mar 25, 2012
Snow hikeInvited by a group of friends from East Coast cities, and from Denver. Up with microspikes before dawn, a windy but clear summit, and snowshoes for part of the descent as it warmed up and got slushy. Excellent introduction to the Rocky Mountains, my first time there.
Andrew Rankine - Nov 4, 2011 5:14 pm Date Climbed: Sep 4, 2010
A long dayHiked while sick up this one.
txhiker76 - Jul 14, 2011 11:55 am Date Climbed: Jul 12, 2011
2nd attempt successfulWas turned around in 2010 due to weather. Day started off nice. When I arrived at the peak clouds moved in and it started snowing. Views were not all that great. This was a tough hike for me, but I'm glad I made it.
txhiker76 - Aug 5, 2010 7:55 pm Date Climbed: Aug 3, 2010
Fun but upsettingClimbed to around 13000, dark clouds started moving in, some of the locals were turning around and recommended we do the same. Hard decision, nice hike anyway.
pmpetracca - Aug 6, 2010 10:34 pm
Re: Fun but upsettingHey there....planning on going August 27. Question, since you were just there, what trail did you take? Also, if you took the South Mt Elbert Trail...did you drive to the upper trail-head? If so, what was the road condition? I have 2 four wheel drives with skid plates, but wondered how much clearance I need so I can decide weather to take my Ram 2500 or Jeep Liberty (preferred). Looks like we have trekked the same places...Guadalupe, Wheeler. :) Have an excellent weekend, Patrick-Albuquerque
bfrench - May 5, 2009 10:37 pm
South Elbert TrailNice hike.
TMF - Mar 2, 2009 11:08 am
Winter ascentStarted 12 hours later than planned on day one, as the sun was setting: bad planning. A two day climb in at least 6 feet of snow without snow shoes; Completely exhausting post-holing- luckily there was a hard pack beneath the fresh snow that yeilded some solidity to keep our post holes around thigh to waist deep. Even still it was exhausting, and due to extreme temperature drops overnight our water supplies had frozen. Still we made a push for the summit; we were forced to turn back due to dehydration just above treeline.
keenanrobbins - Nov 27, 2008 12:35 am Date Climbed: Aug 10, 2002
Mt. ElbertRan up with my college cross country team.
A bit windy and cold with light flurries on top, but otherwise a great morning.
tioga - Sep 28, 2007 1:09 pm Date Climbed: Aug 20, 2006
Good TripClimbed this to the top of Mt Elbert with my brother. We had a good day and a fun trip.
A Bit - Aug 21, 2007 10:48 pm Date Climbed: Sep 19, 1996
South Mt. Elbert TrailThere was some snowfall the day & night before, but not enough to obscure the trail. A great day, but heavy winds did cut down on summit time.