Mt. Elbert Trip Report 09/11/2014

Peak(s):	Mt. Elbert - 14,438 feet
Date Posted:	09/11/2014
Modified:	09/13/2014
Date Climbed:	09/11/2014
Author:	Abustu

Elbert- Northeast Ridge
This was 14er #5 for me, but this is my first ever trip report, so bear with me a little.... I am a Colorado native and resident, but acclimated to only 5,000'. This is my first hike in two months, so I'm not in the best shape, but am a semi-regular runner. I had a spare morning, happened to be planning on traveling through the area, and wanted to get one attempt in before the snow flies. The front range was enduring winter weather, but the Sawatch was clear all day. Road 11 to the trailhead was clear and easily drivable with any pax car; just be ready for the potholes and don't drive too fast. 4x4 NOT required at this time. Cell phone rx fair. This was a solo hike. Arrived at the TH around 6:30. Temp was 27F. Mostly full, but there were at least 6 parking spots left. Got going around 6:45, finished around 13:30, so nearly 7 hours round trip. There is nothing extraordinary about the first part of the trail, but you get an early idea that this is going to be a great deal of up. There are two or three sections of the trail below treeline that are downright breathtaking, and I don't mean for the views. I have read the Roach book and 14ers.com, so I was aware that there was going to be 4,700' of elevation gain. PLEASE pay attention to that fact. The trail's status as Class I is accurate, but it is a steep class I hike and will require as much mental as physical endurance. Enjoy the brief flat part of the hike before it ascends above treeline. Upon crossing that boundary, you will be looking at what appears to be the magnificent summit of Mt. Elbert. Again, take heed; this is not the summit you see before you! It is the false summit. I stress this, because almost no one I met as I was on the way down knew what they were looking at, and it was going to come as a rude shock. As you approach this false summit, you will notice cairns that go to the right. Follow the trail to the RIGHT of the "summit". This is obvious in the pictures on this website, but it bears noting that there is a false trail that goes to the left and peters off into nothing, which might leave you to scramble straight up the talus and over the top. This is quite doable, if you're feeling froggy, but take the trail. As you crest the ridge, the real summit (or at least the ridge leading to the summit) will come into view. The trail is pretty clear all the way to the top, but again, be prepared for the altitude gain and the patchy snow. It is remarkable how much the steepness of the trail is given short shrift in all of the literature. For those who cannot do Ride the Rockies on a one-gear cruiser or who do not hike a 14er a week, this is going to be taxing. The literature is obviously written by those who are insanely fit, so please factor this in, if you are from out of state or are carrying some extra weight. Their idea of "easy" may not be the same as yours. The trail was dry until about 13,500, but only patchy snow and mud after that. Winds were variable 5 - 25 knots; almost nil below treeline and the worst winds were on the ridges with northwesterly exposure. ymmv. Bring at least one pole for the descent. People sometimes fail to grasp that the real value of the single or double hiking poles is in the descent. When you read that most injuries happen on the descent, take heed. The pole will save your knees and maybe keep you from falling on your butt. Again, I know most of this is old news to the mountain goats on here, but for the more inexperienced... Also, bring plenty of water, but just as important, start the hike hydrated. Last word: pay attention to the recommended gear. I have seen the craziest things on 14ers...people in shorts and flip flops or tennis shoes starting the trail at 2pm with one single bottle of water in their hand and cumulonimbus clouds to the west. Maybe they're just that tough; maybe they're that fast, and such people do exist, but more often they're uneducated and have to turn around and descend when a little planning and forethought might have allowed them to summit. I have rolled my ankle more than once on a 14er, but the boots I was wearing prevented injury. Be safe and have fun!

Elbert- Northeast Ridge

This was 14er #5 for me, but this is my first ever trip report, so bear with me a little.... I am a Colorado native and resident, but acclimated to only 5,000'. This is my first hike in two months, so I'm not in the best shape, but am a semi-regular runner. I had a spare morning, happened to be planning on traveling through the area, and wanted to get one attempt in before the snow flies. The front range was enduring winter weather, but the Sawatch was clear all day.

Road 11 to the trailhead was clear and easily drivable with any pax car; just be ready for the potholes and don't drive too fast. 4x4 NOT required at this time. Cell phone rx fair.

This was a solo hike. Arrived at the TH around 6:30. Temp was 27F. Mostly full, but there were at least 6 parking spots left. Got going around 6:45, finished around 13:30, so nearly 7 hours round trip. There is nothing extraordinary about the first part of the trail, but you get an early idea that this is going to be a great deal of up. There are two or three sections of the trail below treeline that are downright breathtaking, and I don't mean for the views. I have read the Roach book and 14ers.com, so I was aware that there was going to be 4,700' of elevation gain. PLEASE pay attention to that fact. The trail's status as Class I is accurate, but it is a steep class I hike and will require as much mental as physical endurance. Enjoy the brief flat part of the hike before it ascends above treeline. Upon crossing that boundary, you will be looking at what appears to be the magnificent summit of Mt. Elbert. Again, take heed; this is not the summit you see before you! It is the false summit. I stress this, because almost no one I met as I was on the way down knew what they were looking at, and it was going to come as a rude shock. As you approach this false summit, you will notice cairns that go to the right. Follow the trail to the RIGHT of the "summit". This is obvious in the pictures on this website, but it bears noting that there is a false trail that goes to the left and peters off into nothing, which might leave you to scramble straight up the talus and over the top. This is quite doable, if you're feeling froggy, but take the trail. As you crest the ridge, the real summit (or at least the ridge leading to the summit) will come into view. The trail is pretty clear all the way to the top, but again, be prepared for the altitude gain and the patchy snow. It is remarkable how much the steepness of the trail is given short shrift in all of the literature. For those who cannot do Ride the Rockies on a one-gear cruiser or who do not hike a 14er a week, this is going to be taxing. The literature is obviously written by those who are insanely fit, so please factor this in, if you are from out of state or are carrying some extra weight. Their idea of "easy" may not be the same as yours.

The trail was dry until about 13,500, but only patchy snow and mud after that. Winds were variable 5 - 25 knots; almost nil below treeline and the worst winds were on the ridges with northwesterly exposure. ymmv.

Bring at least one pole for the descent. People sometimes fail to grasp that the real value of the single or double hiking poles is in the descent. When you read that most injuries happen on the descent, take heed. The pole will save your knees and maybe keep you from falling on your butt. Again, I know most of this is old news to the mountain goats on here, but for the more inexperienced...

Also, bring plenty of water, but just as important, start the hike hydrated.

Last word: pay attention to the recommended gear. I have seen the craziest things on 14ers...people in shorts and flip flops or tennis shoes starting the trail at 2pm with one single bottle of water in their hand and cumulonimbus clouds to the west. Maybe they're just that tough; maybe they're that fast, and such people do exist, but more often they're uneducated and have to turn around and descend when a little planning and forethought might have allowed them to summit. I have rolled my ankle more than once on a 14er, but the boots I was wearing prevented injury. Be safe and have fun!

Comments or Questions

happyhiker55

thanks!
9/14/2014 2:05am

Thank you for the realistic spin to the report....will take heed...and plan for next season!

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