The grade on East Ridge is more forgiving, and you don’t have that devastating false summit that is one of my most lasting memories of the NE Ridge. I’ve done the full 14 miles of E. Ridge from the 2WD TH in winter, and while the extra mileage is tedious, it passes relatively quickly. Granted, I’m not sure I’d want to share that road with motorized traffic…didn’t have to in winter, since there’s too much snow for cars/trucks, but that’s practically guaranteed in summer.
Might be worth taking an evaluative pass at the upper road the day before your hike just in case you turn out to be a natural at 4WD handling; the first mile or so above the 2WD lot isn’t too awful, and there are more opportunities to turn around. But yeah, I personally can’t recommend it at dark o’clock at night if you’re not used to that sort of driving.
Mt. Elbert South TH -- Little experience w/ 4WD
Forum rules
- This is a mountaineering forum, so please keep your posts on-topic. Posts do not all have to be related to the 14ers but should at least be mountaineering-related.
- Personal attacks and confrontational behavior will result in removal from the forum at the discretion of the administrators.
- Do not use this forum to advertise, sell photos or other products or promote a commercial website.
- Posts will be removed at the discretion of the site administrator or moderator(s), including: Troll posts, posts pushing political views or religious beliefs, and posts with the purpose of instigating conflict within the forum.
Re: Mt. Elbert South TH -- Little experience w/ 4WD
"I'm not selling drugs, dude. Drugs sell themselves. I'm selling stoke!"
- Guy at the table next to mine at Alta's Slopeside Cafe, in what I can't help but selfishly hope were (will be?) his verbatim words to the arresting officer(s)
- Guy at the table next to mine at Alta's Slopeside Cafe, in what I can't help but selfishly hope were (will be?) his verbatim words to the arresting officer(s)
-
cg3207
- Posts: 9
- Joined: 12/9/2023
- Trip Reports (0)
Re: Mt. Elbert South TH -- Little experience w/ 4WD
This is really great info, thanks a bunch! I have Bartlett Gulch on my warm-up hikes list to get used to the altitude, so I could potentially even check out the road on foot first, then try driving it if I feel confident. Hmm... Lots to think about!
-
The Turtle
- Posts: 46
- Joined: 7/25/2007
- 14ers: 37
- 13ers: 1
- Trip Reports (0)
Re: Mt. Elbert South TH -- Little experience w/ 4WD
I will be hiking Mt. Elbert Saturday the 13'th for the third time and will be driving my Jeep Wrangler to the upper parking lot. It is a lifted Wrangler. I will post a response to this after I drive up there. I was up there last October and there was absolutely no issues with the road and a Subie parked at the upper TH. A lot can change to a road like that from year to year.
-
cg3207
- Posts: 9
- Joined: 12/9/2023
- Trip Reports (0)
Re: Mt. Elbert South TH -- Little experience w/ 4WD
You're an awesome human! I would love a trip report, since I'll be less than three weeks behind you (targeting 7/31 or 8/1).
-
The Turtle
- Posts: 46
- Joined: 7/25/2007
- 14ers: 37
- 13ers: 1
- Trip Reports (0)
Re: Mt. Elbert South TH -- Little experience w/ 4WD
I just drove my Jeep Wrangler to the upper TH and I did not even put it in 4WD. There was a Honda CRV at the upper TH and I don’t think it has any more clearance than a Subaru. I would not hesitate to drive a Subaru up there. If you get to the Leadville or wherever you are staying I would suggest you drive up to the upper TH the day before. The roughest part is before the creek crossing. My Jeep has a 4 1/2 in lift and 33 inch tires but a standard Jeep will not have a problem. Just for your comfort put it in 4 WD. You will not have a problem
-
cg3207
- Posts: 9
- Joined: 12/9/2023
- Trip Reports (0)
Re: Mt. Elbert South TH -- Little experience w/ 4WD
Fabulous! This is so so helpful. If you're gonna be in the area week of the 28th I owe you a beer!
