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After reading opinions on the different trails up Elbert, I decided on climbing up the East Ridge. I had to work late Wed. so I drove on up to the trailhead that night. Although I forgot the road directions at home it was easy to spot the start of the road.
Sign at start of road in daytime.
I made it up the 4 wheel drive road until I hit a spot that was pretty hairy. I decided to back down the hill and try again in the morning. After 4 hours of the worst sleep ever in the cab of my truck I awoke to daylight breaking over the Mosquitoes. I was able to make it past the rough section of road in the daylight by carefully chosing my line and creeping up in 4 low.
Rough section of road
I was beginning to wonder if I was on the right road until I got to the creek crossing that was mentioned in other posts.
Easy creek crossing, only 6 inches deep.
I finally reached the upper TH at 6:00 and was on trail at 6:10. You follow the Colorado Trial for a brief stretch until you reach the turnoff for Elbert.
Sign at trail turnoff.
I quickly found myself missing the smooth and gentle Colorado Trail because the first mile of the Elbert trail is straight up the slope. The directness of the trail and the steepness has caused it to become very eroded in spots. Not well planned or maintained in my opinion.
Switchbacks? We dont need no stinking switchbacks!
After finally gaining the top of the first slope you cross a clearing where you can see the mountian for the first time.
There it is, now go get it.
Looking back at Twin Lakes with Sherman in background.
Now its just a matter of climbing up the ridge to the summit which is always in view. The steepness and quality of the trail is consistant the rest of the way. Steep and bad. After a 15 minute pbj and scenery break I continued the long hard climb up the ridge. I found myself constantly looking at the ridge to my left that connects to South Elbert. Looks like a fun way to add to the route.
Ridgeline to South Elbert with point 13227.
At 10:00, I finally made the summit and rested, ate, drank, and enjoyed the scenery.
My fourth summit.
Mt. Massive looking massive.
La Plata Peak
After spending 40 minutes on the summit, I began the knee and quad bashing trip down the trail finally reaching my truck at 1:00.
Pros:
No crowds (only saw other hikers on the way down)
Summit in view with no false summits
Great views of Twin Lakes area
Great camping spots along the way.
Cons:
Some parts of trail are ridiculously steep and water damaged.
Longer if you don‘t have a 4wd vehicle.
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
I hiked Mount Elbert in the summer of 2007, my first 14er! Hopefully, I will hike another one soon. I´m reading trip reports and remeber how great it was.
Helena
Thanks for posting a picture of this. We thought the same thing as you ”This can't be right...” because I didn't remember reading about a stream crossing anywhere and it wasn't in our 14ers.com directions. We drove in after dark, further confusing the situation.
Glad you enjoyed the climb - I thought it was quite nice once you made it above treeline. You're right, that first stuff in the trees is steep!
That is an enjoyable hike, and it looks like you had a great day for it!
That peak(s) behind Twin Lakes are actually the Buffalo Peaks; Sherman is almost due east of Elbert,and fairly inconspicuous.
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