Mt. Elbert

Route: East Ridge
Posted On: 2/15/2012, By: j-dub
Info: Mostly packed trail/ trough from 2WD TH all the way to ridge except for the clearing just before treeline-- test for the packed trail somewhere to your right! It was obscured by fresh snow so we missed it on the way up, but it's there somewhere... Don't venture into the left/middle as we did--> sank in hip-deep pow despite snowshoes = exhausting. Found the packed trail on the way back. I'd recommend keeping snowshoes on until after passing the "small point" on your left above treeline (12,500'~+ ). Not much snow on the ridge so Microspikes or bareboot thereafter ok. 

Route: Northeast Ridge
Posted On: 1/10/2012, By: 54coldones
Info: Road to trailhead is passable with a Subaru/trailer. Good tracks all the way to tree line. The last snow storm put soft sastrugi on hard snow. Other than the lees and the trail there is no other accumulation. It‘s a great weather window for the tallest peak in co. 

Route: Northeast Ridge
Posted On: 1/6/2012, By: Nelson
Info: Climbed on January 5. Good trail the whole way. There was no need for snowshoes, ax or crampons. 

Route: East Ridge
Posted On: 12/26/2011, By: Andymcp1
Info: Able to drive within .3 of a mile to the upper 4wd TH in a honda crv with no issues today. Trail is well boot packed to tree line. After tree line route finding is easy, but there are no tracks to speak of after todays high wind. Under tree line max snow depth was 2 feet. Above tree line there was anywhere between 6in-18 in of cover. Most snow was windslab and did you did not sink in much. 

Route: Northeast Ridge
Posted On: 11/30/2011, By: Unknown
Info: Mount Elbert Northeast Ridge Route via North Elbert TH (Standard) The road going to the trailhead was mostly covered with snow but it was pretty well packed in place. We were able to make it with a 4WD car (Subaru) with a little bit of slipping around. No avy danger at all and most of the mountain above treeline was so windblown that the trail had little snow or ice on it. We all brought our snowshoes but they were not needed - we ended up stashing them about an hour or two into our hike. There weren‘t that many places where we had to posthole. We all brought microspikes as well but never put them on. I think it is wise to bring them anyway, because you never know when you‘re going to need them. Trekking poles certainly helped on the steeper sections. The weather was absolutely perfect - still and calm, clear blue sky, little to no wind for most of the hike. Not too cold. 

Route: East Ridge
Posted On: 11/22/2011, By: kushrocks
Info: We made it in our cars with 4 wheel drive to within .3 miles of the summer trailhead before some ice on a steep hill stopped us in our tracks. Be very careful if you make it this far because it is extremely sketchy backing down this. If you tapped your brakes too hard you could go skidding down backward in your car with no way to stop. Tire cables or chains would have been very helpful even for our SUV‘s. Your welcome to anyone heading up to Mt. Elbert via this route before the next big snow. Once on the route we plowed trail the entire way up through tree line and it was exhausting. Marie123 and I unfortunately didn’t have snowshoes but I would highly recommend them for anyone going up this route. The other two in our group who had them found them extremely beneficial. Once above tree line the snow was mostly windblown and not very deep at all. We wore microspikes the rest of the way up which was all you really needed but you could probably get by without them as well. However, we encountered horrible winds blowing straight at us the whole way to the summit which drastically slowed us down. Some great views on the way up in between the wind but we couldn’t see anything on the summit. Photo: Marie123 and I on the summit 

Route: Northeast Ridge
Posted On: 11/6/2011, By: kushrocks
Info: Anyone looking at heading up the Elbert/Massive Trailhead . . . . it sucked!!! We didnt even get a chance to attempt the hike. I have a small SUV so I was in 4 wheel drive the whole time going to the trailhead. It started out just a little icy then the snow got deeper and deeper and we got stuck on the way up there. Looked like they had gotten at least 6 inches of fresh new snow on the road from the storm that came in Friday night and lasted all day Saturday. After searching around where we were stuck looking for tree branches to jam under my tires about 30 yards in front of us there was a spot that only a monster suv or big lifted truck would get through so we knew we couldnt go forward. At this point we were only about .5 miles from the trailhead but the last 2.5 miles up that road was incredibly risky for my car. We got really lucky just getting as far as we did and with heavy snow coming down last night we bailed and went home. We were going to car camp but didnt want to risk getting stuck there for a long time. We actually barley even made it out of there so it was probably a good thing we turned around when we did because it was coming down when we left and snowed heavy until we got back to around Silverplume. The hike would be for sure doable the snow on the road was where it was bad. If you go I would be prepared to add several miles round trip to your hike at this point because its going to take a pretty big suv or truck to get up that road right now 

Route: East Ridge
Posted On: 10/22/2011, By: ursidae
Info: Few inches of snow in spots on the upper trail, went up with 5 others today. Low hikers for boots, no traction devices, occasional minor and not very deep postholing, more or less avoidable with some effort. Warm day so some areas were melting, when it sets up it might be nice to have yaktrax or similar in the pack. Almost no snow in the trees and on the lower areas. 4WD road to upper th is good, not much water in the stream crossing, we had a 4Runner and a Tacoma so no issues at all. 

Route: Northeast Ridge
Posted On: 10/9/2011, By: RJansen77
Info: Just returned from an Elbert attempt via the NE ridge. Below treeline the snow is packed and there is maybe 4-5 inches on the ground, no traction needed. Above treeline, the steeper aspects and the pitches below each of the false summits are holding waste deep snow, walking in this over loose scree and talus that is underneath and not frozen yet is very difficult and somewhat dangerous as breaking an ankle would not be too difficult. Plan on slow going unless things change. PM me if you have any other questions. I‘ll try to upload a few pictures later. 

Route: East Ridge
Posted On: 10/1/2011, By: Jules246
Info: Perfect weather, no snow on trail all the way to summit. Aspens are GORGEOUS and not many people on the trail. 

Route: Southeast Ridge
Posted On: 9/26/2011, By: pklotzbach
Info: Trail is clear of snow to the summit. Aspens are in full fall glory below treeline. Definitely hike this route if you can in the next few days! 

Route: Northeast Ridge
Posted On: 9/26/2011, By: vintner19
Info: Elbert from the NE was a great hike on a great day. 2WD to the North Elbert trailhead was easily accomplished with only a few potholes to avoid. No major snow on the trail, mostly just a few patches here and there. Beautiful conditions all day, a couple tricky spots on the trail with snow/ice on the steeper ascending parts. Easily 50+ people on the top, though still a great day. Colorful aspen trees were the highlight of the descent. We took 11 up and all made the top and back down safely. 

Route: Northeast Ridge
Posted On: 8/14/2011, By: EzeeE 1983
Info: PERFECT DAY. No snow, easy drive to the trailhead in my 2WD Accord. Crowds were decent but no more then 20 on the summit when we got there at around 11:30. Some steep inclines/declines stopped a few elderly people from making it, and it will worry some others that aren‘t in very good shape. Managed to bring my dog, but I probably wouldn‘t bring him again as it was a little rough on him the day after. 

Route: Northeast Ridge
Posted On: 8/1/2011, By: tmccormack
Info: Great trail the entire way; no snow at all; trail is a little steep in places and definitely need to be careful on the loose dirt coming down; crowded at the summit; clouds rolled in around 11ish, but luckily no rain or storms 

Route: Southeast Ridge
Posted On: 7/7/2011, By: sjpwarsaw
Info: Great conditions at the Black Cloud trail head. The trail was muddy in a few areas but not bad. The creek was very full but both log bridges and both streams were easily passable. One small snow field toward the top before So Elbert. It was overcast most of the day and we got some sleet at the top of So Elbert. With overcast skies surrounding the area we decided not to summit Mt Elbert and headed down. Got a few sprinkles on the way down. Could hear thunder and see both the northeast and east routes up Mt Elbert were getting rain. Could see La Plata getting rain all the way down. Started at 8am and finished at 4pm.