Mt. Elbert (North) Trailhead

Location

RangeSawatch Range

Elevation10,040'

Lat/Lon39.15216, -106.41235

14ersMt. Elbert

Road Difficulty

1 2WD, easy dirt

2WD easy dirt road all the way to the TH

Driving Directions

From U.S. 24 just south of Leadville, turn onto Colorado 300. Drive 0.7 mile, turn left onto County Road 11 and continue another 1.2 miles before turning right onto the Halfmoon Creek road. Reset your trip odometer and follow the Halfmoon Creek dirt road for 5 miles to reach the Mt. Elbert trailhead, on the left. There is a large parking area but it fills up early on weekends.

On-Site Info

ParkingParking for about 30 cars with overflow parking along one side of the road.

CampingDispersed and campground camping along the road.

Restrooms?Yes

Fees?No

Photos

Winter Access

Usually closed just a short distance up from where the road changes to dirt - approx. 5 miles below the TH.

Trailhead added by BillMiddlebrook

Status Updates
Map


8/11/2017 Posted On: 8/12/2017 By: Herbert Info: While it's true that this dirt road has the usual ruts, washboards and potholes, I thought some of those potholes were pretty aggressive. If I had had Vodka in my Wrangler, it definitely would have been shaken not stirred. If you are like me and do most of your own auto mechanical work and don't like beating up the bushings and joints in your suspension, you'll probably find yourself driving about 10-15 mph. If you have an expensive independently suspended vehicle (like some of those that zipped past me) and think you have paid for the privilege of cruising over potholes, you'll be fine with 20-25 mph.
6/10/2017 Posted On: 6/10/2017 By: sky_high Info: Road clear all the way to trailhead. Still pot-holey, but easy to drive in 2wd with low clearance as long as you use your head and your eyes. Dispersed campsites and campgrounds open all the way to trailhead.
9/15/2016 Posted On: 9/15/2016 By: beachrya Info: Road grading underway 09/15/2016. Potholes present on the way in were smooth on the way out! 2WD low clearance car had no problem.
8/13/2016 Posted On: 8/16/2016 By: kingshimmers Info: Reached the trailhead in a little 4-door sedan. Easy to get to, and plenty of parking early in the morning. Lots of trash at the area by the vault toilets though... please please please pack out your trash!
5/22/2016 Posted On: 5/23/2016 By: Belov Info: Road is passable to 4WD vehicles all the way to the Mt Massive SW Slopes trailhead, although at the rate the snow is melting, by next weekend, the only obstacles will be the normal ruts.
5/8/2016 Posted On: 5/9/2016 By: Zmacchi Info: Halfmoon Rd open and clear to just past the Halfmoon Campground. I think a 2WD vehicle could make it with no issues. After that the snow drifts make it very difficult to get to the TH. I didn't attempt to make it and parked at the campground.			2
10/23/2015 Posted On: 10/23/2015 By: dixonallred Info: Road is clear to North Elbert TH, also clear up to 110J cutoff
10/17/2015 Posted On: 10/19/2015 By: rhdent Info: Road to North Trailhead was very good, drove a Lexus SC430 convertible with no issues
6/26/2015 Posted On: 6/27/2015 By: BillMiddlebrook Info: Open
9/11/2014 Posted On: 9/13/2014 By: Abustu Info: Road 11 to the TH is well maintained and easy for passenger cars; just beware of the potholes. Signage is adequate; I didn‘t miss it and it was early am twilight. No snow as of 9/11/14, and only one area of standing water 1‘ deep covering half the road. Restrooms are in good shape as is the info board.
7/20/2014 Posted On: 7/21/2014 By: LaramieCowboy Info: Trailhead road is very passable, no issues expected for any type of vehicle. Weekend parking in Elbert lot is a challenge. I arrived a little late at 7am, found easy parking a few hundred feet up the road in the Mt. Massive overflow lot. Lots of great camping opportunities near trailhead if you‘re interested in making it a multi-day trip.
6/24/2014 Posted On: 7/1/2014 By: Dunston540 Info: North Elbert and Mt. Massive T.H.‘s looking great. So easy to get to, I guess that‘s why I saw 30+ people all on the summit at once. I‘m glad I made the Class 1 walk up and down, but the amount of people make a simple mountain deadly. Loose Rock and I even saw a young girl hurling rocks off the summit towards the trail. Not everyone is smart, wear a helmet and have a blast at this leg burner from the North Elbert Trail Head. It has 2 nice bathrooms, and room to camp if needed. Enjoy the trek. The trail is very easy to follow.
6/19/2014 Posted On: 6/19/2014 By: Jonpulliaminc Info: 5 mile dirt road to trailhead about 50% washboarded, but even low clearance 2WD passenger cars can easily make it albeit slowly to North Elbert parking area. Summer conditions people, get some!
5/17/2014 Posted On: 5/18/2014 By: vailmtnman_26 Info: The road is totally dry up to about a mile before the trailhead. Past that point, the last mile or so is still mostly dry but has about a dozen small snow drifts on the road. There have been plenty of vehicles that have bashed their way through the drifts, thus leveling the snow and making it accessible for most any 2WD vehicle. These small drifts are melting fast and they will probably be totally gone before the coming weekend.			1
11/2/2013 Posted On: 11/4/2013 By: jaykup Info: Inch or so of snow on the road, packed down well by other traffic. Road is in great shape with a few avoidable potholes, and one or two spots of washboarding. Dirt road is actually smoother than the "paved" section just before it. Took a 2WD VW Beetle up there. Traction control didn‘t kick in. I think 4WD would be needed if the hills became icey, and good ground clearance if the snow was too deep.

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