"South Elbert"

Condition Updates  
Route: From Mount Elbert
Posted On: 2020-10-06, By: supranihilest
Info: Since I ascended Elbert from Bull Hill I had to reverse the talus slog that is Elbert's upper south ridge, following it southeast to "South Elbert". The entire thing is on rock or dirt and tedious but route finding is basically non-existent. 
Route: Cosgriff/South Elbert/Elbert/Bull Hill Loop from B
Posted On: 2020-06-24, By: JasonKline
Info: Summer conditions. With only a little effort between South Elbert and Bull Hill, the little remaining snow is easily avoidable. The same could not be said for the crowd of about twenty people who insisted on standing tightly-packed while blocking distanced access to the Elbert summit block and flying a drone. 
Route: Southeast Ridge
Posted On: 2020-06-06, By: CheapCigarMan
Info: Dry all the way. A couple of uneventful and minor snow fields. A very nice Class 1 / 1+ trail. 
10
Route: Black Cloud
Posted On: 2018-10-17, By: Tufftommy-BV
Info: Parking area dry and so was the trail to 11k'. Patchy snow to 12k' then continuous to the summit. Poles helpful, traction not needed. Snow was melting fast on a sunny day. Depth never exceeded a foot or so but stayed on the S most aspects to keep it that way. Anything facing N had a good deal more snow. 
Route: S.E. TH - modified route
Posted On: 2014-06-29, By: nyker
Info: Climbed South Elbert today. Started out from South Elbert TH Road, then (accidentally) made the left instead of continuing right to the actual TH. The left option leads to another public dirt road. I didn't realize I was on the wrong road until about 11k, but figured I'd go until I had to turn around since I was just aiming to acclimatize. The road stops at around 12k at remains of a broken down mining cabin. From that point, there is no trail or marked route to the top - was like Culebra. There was quite a bit of snow on the North/NE slopes, but all pretty much avoidable to get to the summit proper. I didn't use my axe at all. Very windy once you reach the first of the five or so false summits! 
1
Route: standard
Posted On: 2013-06-03, By: mediocre_climber
Info: Our party ascended South Elbert from Black Cloud TH on 6/2/13, and we were pleased to have the place almost entirely to ourselves (1 other party from same TH). This is a great alternative to Elbert, with plenty of elevation gain and great views of Elbert and all the peaks to the south. We carried snowshoes, but didn’t use them, and postholing was minimal on the descent. There are a few small snowfields across the upper trail, but route finding was straightforward. (The hardest part was spotting the tiny "Black Cloud Trailhead" sign in the dark on Colorado 82.) 

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