Elbert Winter Ascent

[Ric Tinney]

So, I've done 30 14er summer accents and am planning to be in Vail for a week in early January. Elbert is still on my to-do list and is a Class 1 in the summer. What would it be like in the Winter? I've never snowshoed but do have a pair. I also have crampons (but never used them) and was thinking of buying some Yaktrax. Are there any avalanche concerns on Elbert? If not Elbert, the what in the area would be the shortest, non-technical? Thanks and Merry Christmas!

[benners]

Elbert's East Ridge is a fairly straightforward winter route with low avy danger as long as you actually stay on route. The distance required doesn't increase much in winter either (only an additional 3 or 4 miles round trip). Crampons are not at all necessary although I would recommend snowshoes over Yaktrax for flotation purposes. Search for winter trip reports on Elbert and you should find some good information.

[Ric Tinney]

Thank you. That's very helpful.

[bigmac]

Just as an fyi, the trail head closure adds on an additional 6-7 miles. Not 3 as previously mentioned. Also If you do plan on do it. The snow up there wasn't very stable (so a little scary), and plan on breaking trail, up to tree line. Good luck!

[benners]

Just as an fyi, the trail head closure adds on an additional 6-7 miles. Not 3 as previously mentioned.

Does it? I was under the impression the 2WD TH is typically the winter road closure. If this is the case then the route would be 3.6 to 4 miles longer round trip (based on Bill's numbers and those found on Summitpost). I remember when I hiked Elbert in March I logged around 4 extra miles, I couldn't imagine calling it 6-7.

Sources:
http://www.14ers.com/php14ers/trailhead ... hparm=sw03
http://www.summitpost.org/route/322285/ ... trail.html

[smoove]

Just as an fyi, the trail head closure adds on an additional 6-7 miles. Not 3 as previously mentioned.

Does it? I was under the impression the 2WD TH is typically the winter road closure. If this is the case then the route would be 3.6 to 4 miles longer round trip (based on Bill's numbers and those found on Summitpost). I remember when I hiked Elbert in March I logged around 4 extra miles, I couldn't imagine calling it 6-7.

Sources:
http://www.14ers.com/php14ers/trailhead ... hparm=sw03
http://www.summitpost.org/route/322285/ ... trail.html

I think benners is right. I thought I remembered that my friend and I started from the 2wd TH on April 5. I looked at my GPS data and we did indeed start at 9,600'. Just the same, this is a lot of distance and gain to cover in the winter, so I'd get a very early start (frankly, I think Quandary or Sherman would be better first winter ascent choices). And as others have said, you will have to break trail below treeline so I'd bring snowshoes that actually give you some float. We eventually got off trail a bit and also had to deal with a very thick aspen grove for quite a while--so try to avoid that if possible!