Hiking Mount Elbert: Focus on mindful, economic steps to scale Colorado’s highest point
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The trail all the way up to the summit of Mount Elbert along the mountain's northeast ridge.
Antonio Olivero / aolivero@summitdaily.com
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The trail all the way up to the summit of Mount Elbert along the mountain's northeast ridge couldn't be more easy to follow with a clear, gradual path well worn above tree line.
Antonio Olivero / aolivero@summitdaily.com
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The view toward the southeast from the 14,440-foot summit of Mount Elbert provides views of Twin Lakes in the forefront and Pikes Peak on the hazy horizon line.
Antonio Olivero / aolivero@summitdaily.com
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The trail up Mount Elbert's northeast ridge doesn't provide much cliffside consequence, though there is a short portion that skirts scree and takes some care.
Antonio Olivero / aolivero@summitdaily.com
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The view of Mount Elbert, left, and its sister and second-highest mountain in Colorado Mount Massive, at right, while driving on Lake County Road 11 south of Leadville to the North Mount Elbert Trailhead.
Antonio Olivero / aolivero@summitdaily.com
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A view to the northwest from Mount Elbert's 14,440-foot summit provides expansive views of some of the state's highest points in all directions.
Antonio Olivero / aolivero@summitdaily.com
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This view hiking down the North Mount Elbert Trail gives an idea of the switchbacks with a gradual incline that dominate the first portion of the hike below tree line.
Antonio Olivero / aolivero@summitdaily.com
LEADVILLE — Though it may lack in true climbing excitement compared with many of the state’s 14,000-foot mountains, hiking Colorado’s highest point, Mount Elbert, provides a textbook Rocky Mountain challenge for most any hiker.
At 4,700 feet of total elevation gain in just under five miles of hiking, Elbert’s northeast ridge trail hits hikers with the task of climbing about 1,000 feet every mile. For most hikers, the 1,000-feet-per-mile standard is kind of a rule-of-thumb suggesting when hikes start to get steep. The good news about hiking the 14,440-foot mountain — the second highest point in the Lower 48 — is that with an early start and a consistent, mindful rhythm in your hiking, conquering Elbert is doable for most any hiker in solid shape.
More good news for hikers is that the North Mount Elbert Trailhead parking lot is accessible for most any vehicle: A two-wheel drive sedan can make it up the 5-mile dirt road. On a weekday, plan to get to the parking lot at 6:30 a.m. or earlier to secure a spot. On busy weekends, that arrival time should be closer to 5:30 a.m. or earlier. That might seem like an early start, especially if you’re driving the hour or so through darkness from Summit County. But the earlier the start the better, as Elbert is notorious for sudden afternoon thunderstorms.
To get to the parking lot from Summit County:
• Drive south on U.S. Highway 24 through Leadville and turn west onto Colorado Highway 300 after more than three miles.
• After three-quarters of a mile, turn left onto Lake County Road 11 toward Halfmoon Creek.
• After about 1.2 miles, turn right toward the Halfmoon Creek Campground.
• The North Mount Elbert parking area will be on your left after about five miles.
From the trailhead, it’s a short walk to reach the Colorado Trail, which you’ll stick with for just more than a mile. The sign directing hikers to the trail up Elbert’s northeast ridge is hard to miss. Once on the northeast ridge trail, which begins just above 10,500 feet, be ready for a plodding, gradual climb for the next 4 miles all the way up to the summit.
Two to three liters of water is a good amount to have, as hiking above tree line means 14,000-foot sunshine can zap you of hydration fast.
Below the trail’s tree line, 1,400 feet of moderate switchbacks dominate the way. Through this portion, be sure to work into a regular hiking rhythm, timing your breathing, steps and poles by keeping time — the ol’ “1 and 2 and 3 and …” — in your head.
Though Elbert isn’t one of the state’s most difficult 14ers, trekking poles are highly encouraged for securing your footing through scree, or loose rock, during the descent. But they are arguably just as important on the way up to have an economic output of energy.
A focus on rhythmic breathing and steps, and balancing out the climb’s weight on your upper body with the trekking poles, is a great way to get up the switchbacks.
In hiking Elbert, know that you will be taking 1,200 to 1,700 uphill steps every 15 to 20 minutes. Each individual step you take up the mountain might seem inconsequential, but it all adds up over 6 to 8 hours. At the equivalent of about 450 flights of stairs, Mount Elbert is a natural StairMaster.
You should expect to burn 130 to 180 calories every 15 to 25 minutes during the plodding, gradual ascent of Elbert, so the best way to maintain your economy of energy is to snack on quick, high-calorie food on the way up, such as stroopwafels or gummies. At altitude, it’s important to remember hunger cues can be suppressed, so even if you’re feeling a little hungry, it’s probably a good time to refuel.
Once above tree line, you pretty much know how far away the top is, with the exception of a few false summits. Remember not to get summit fever: One by one, stick with those mindful steps, and you’ll be on top of the state before you know it.
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