Mt Elbert this coming weekend

[bandofbrothersomaha]

We have a group of four that will be taking on Mt Elbert this coming weekend. Planning on camping at tree line for Thursday and Friday nights, with the ascent on Saturday - weather permitting.

Anyone been up there in the last week? Wondering about the snow conditions.

Thanks.

[bandofbrothersomaha]

Let's hope that scenario changes. Thanks.

[mtsuji]

Just did the Mt. Elbert trail today and it was an easy hike. Packed to timberline and the upper ridge was either bare or sastrugi. However on the drive home it was snowing really hard around Copper.

[Bean]

mtsuji, which route? Did you see any snow-covered top-to-bottom lines, or were there roadblocks on all options?

I'd love to go if the weather cooperates (though I'll be more than happy if a blizzard rolls through) and there's top-to-bottom snow.

[mtsuji]

We started at the South Mount Elbert trailhead and took the Mount Elbert Trail. We didn't stick to snow the entire way but with a little creativity I don't think you would have a problem skiing from the summit all the way down. My buddy from Gunnison did the northeast ridge today and skiied from the summit though I'm not sure if he was able to find a continuous path.

[bandofbrothersomaha]

Nice. Thanks for the report mtsuji.

We will be going up the South trailhead as well.

[mtsuji]

No problem! Good luck, let us know how it goes!

[bandofbrothersomaha]

Weather forcast is looking good. Understand from some recon on Snotel and other sites that there is a fair amount of snow at 11,000. We are heading up on Thursday morning from the South Mt Elbert trailhead if anyone wants to join us. Still planning on camping at timberline Thursday and Friday nights, with an ascent on Saturday.

[SkiNowWorkLater]

We'll possibly be up there on Saturday for a summit ski. Anyone else planning to ski?

[Bean]

We'll possibly be up there on Saturday for a summit ski. Anyone else planning to ski?

It's likely I'm going this weekend, not sure if I'm going to be dragging anyone along with me. Weather is starting to look like it'll cooperate. What route were you planning?

[SkiNowWorkLater]

It's likely I'm going this weekend, not sure if I'm going to be dragging anyone along with me. Weather is starting to look like it'll cooperate. What route were you planning?

Probably the South Elbert trail and back down. We have to be back in Aspen by 4:00PM so we'll be getting an early alpine start and moving pretty quickly.

[Dancesatmoonrise]

Why do you guys prefer the south (Black Cloud) approach over the east approach?

(I haven't been up the south approach but we took the east approach, parking at the paved lot, last Nov 18.)

Thanks.