Mount Elbert

From U.S. 24 south of Leadville, take Colorado 82 (Independence Pass) west toward Twin Lakes. Drive about 10.5 miles and turn right into the signed trailhead. When approaching the area of the turn-off, slow down because it's hard to see the turn. After pulling into the TH, the trail starts behind the first two parking spots on the right. Overall, there is parking for about a dozen vehicles.

Taken from the southwest on La Plata Peak,  1 and  2 provide an overview of much of the route. Begin your hike by locating the trail behind the first few parking spots in the trailhead parking area ( 3). Hike 1 mile up through the forest until you cross to the west side of Black Cloud Creek using a small log bridge ( 4). Continue over 0.25 mile before crossing back to the east side of the creek ( 5). Ascend through a grove of small aspens to reach more open terrain near 11,200' ( 6). After 2 miles, you'll reach the remnants of an old mining shack at 11,600' ( 7). Follow the trail up through rocky terrain on the right, heading toward the drainage below "South Elbert," the 14,134-foot point along Elbert's southeast ridge.

As you hike higher into the drainage, South Elbert will be directly ahead; however, the trail soon takes an easterly turn instead of continuing up the drainage ( 8). Continue up the hillside to reach mine tailings at 12,000' ( 9). Cross the top of the tailings and continue eastward through the trees. Eventually, around 12,200', the trees thin out, and you begin the climb northeast up a steep slope ( 10 and  11). Above 12,900', the trail gets steeper—just keep pushing toward the ridge crest ( 12).

Reach the ridge crest just short of 13,600', where the next challenge awaits: nearly a mile of ridge hiking to reach the top of South Elbert ( 13). Hike over a gentle bump on the ridge ( 14) and continue to a clearer view of the ridge ( 15,  16). Descend slightly and follow a faint trail along the ridge crest ( 17). Hike up easy terrain ( 18) to reach the top of South Elbert, where you'll gain a view of the remaining route ( 19). Continue northwest along the ridge for approximately 0.5 mile to reach the broad saddle between South Elbert and the true summit ( 20,  21).

At the 13,900-foot saddle, head right (north) and hike the last 0.75 miles up the ridge to the summit ( 22,  23,  24). As you get closer, the route is straightforward—just follow the ridge crest ( 25). From the summit,  26 shows the view back toward South Elbert.