1,
2, and
3 provide a good look at the Box Creek couloirs. In winter or early spring, you probably won't be able to drive the whole 4WD road to the upper South Elbert trailhead, so park where it's possible and hike up to the trailhead. Follow Elbert's
East Ridge Route to reach clearings on the east ridge around 11,600' -
4. Continue to tree line at about 11,800' -
5,
6. Stick to the ridge crest or follow the summer trail if it's clear, leading to a wide saddle at 12,400' -
7,
8. This is where you'll leave the east ridge route and head toward Box Creek.
Move to the north side of the ridge and contour left into the Box Creek cirque -
9. Hike for about half a mile and gain 300 feet in elevation to reach the upper Box Creek area, just below the couloirs. The simplest route—but not always the safest—is to go straight up the center of the slope -
10,
11, which is what's described here. Hike to the base of the couloirs and start climbing -
12.
13 and
14 show the terrain with enough snow for the climb. Between 13,000' and 13,400', the slope averages just under 35 degrees -
15. Above 13,500', it gets steeper, up to about 38 degrees -
16,
17. Around 13,700', it levels out as you aim left toward a broad snowfield at 13,900' -
18. Finally, head all the way up to the summit -
19,
20.
Box Creek Couloirs
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