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Trailhead: Mt Elbert/North Mt Elbert Route: Northeast Ridge Departure: 5:35am Summit: 9:40am Return to Trailhead/Car: 12:25pm Mileage: 9.1 miles on GPS
My thought was to 1) document Sarah's first 14er and 2) it has been some time since anyone has provided an updated trip report on Elbert. So here we go. Car camped the night before or should I say we started out in a tent, fell asleep in a tent, woke to thunder and lightning (about 10:30pm) and thought it best to head into the car. Around midnight and a nice downpour, that proved to be a good choice. But with the restrooms nearby, it was a good setup. Incidentally, we were close enough to the parking area/bathrooms but far enough away in the tent with a nice, level spot to throw our tent.
At the trailhead Car camped the night before which worked very well for 5:30am start
I thought that Mt Elbert would be a good first for Sarah (age 12) since it is nice trail with very limited exposure, you would have to go look for it really. She did great and actually had good energy on the way back down. It was a good call.
Trailhead at first light This would be Sarah's first 14er and a successful one!
Sarah had a printed copy of the Route Report and was studying the trail and markers for navigation. Here we are at almost treeline. Coming up to treeline
We continued up the ridge hoping for the real summit. Just above treeline
Summit - Sarah (and Zeke's) First 14er! Sarah's First Summit (Zeke's too)
Finally the summit. Wind was harsh but you could get out of it. There were plenty of folks up top from different trails and approaches.
We made it out before the storms but there was rain in BV as we left. We made the 9.1 mile roundtrip in about 7 hours with some time on the summit. And then this says it all.... Both zonked before BV
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
The first 14er will always stay in your memory. Forever enjoy the grandeur of the mountains!
Could I also compliment the great work crews that have been on the northeast trail lately. Thanks for volunteering and all that you have done to make the trail safer and more enjoyable.
I have several pictures of my kids zonked out right after bagging a summit. Good stuff and it's been great seeing a lot of reports lately of folks hiking with their kids! Elbert was my 1st 14er back 6 years ago. Congrats!
Thank you everyone for the comments. I want to give my daughters (4 in total) a healthy love for outdoors and also the respect it requires (LNT, safety first,etc.) In fact Sarah (the baby of the family)told me more than once that the summit was only half way! (that's right you must make it to the car safely.) Colorado is such a wonderful place and I want them to appreciate the splendor of God's Country! And yes, the work on trails here and others is outstanding and thank you to the volunteers and contributors.
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