Mt. Elbert Trip Report 07/23/2007

Peak(s):	Mt. Elbert - 14,438 feet
Date Posted:	07/23/2007
Date Climbed:	07/22/2007
Author:	jm485

Elbert - Northeast Ridge
Everything went according to plan this trip; I found a great campsite near the trailhead on Half Moon Road and had a spectacular view of the summit from the camp site. I arrived on Saturday, 7/21/07 at about 5pm to dark clouds building in from the south. I looked at the weather before leaving South Dakota and knew there was supposed to be rain. I was expecting the usual short lived shower; instead mother nature had in store a steady three hour rain. In hind sight it was peaceful to hear the drops hitting the tent while I read and had a carb packed dinner. I woke at about 5am and after a hearty breakfast of oatmeal, fruit and yogurt, I hit the trail. It was just twilight and a head lamp was not needed. It was probably one of the most beautiful mornings I have every experienced as I made my way through the evergreen forest still damp with the previous night's rain. The soothing sounds of Elbert Creek and Box Creek rolling through the forest were the only sounds to break the songs of the birds as the sun began to break the horizon behind me. The half waypoint was the stark distinction between the forest and the wide open landscape of the alpine. The flowers were in full bloom and the breath taking views were endless. At rocky point at about 13,000 ft the marmots were sprawled out soaking up the morning sun. Two of them were chattering back and forth completely comfortable with me taking their picture. As I climbed up to the edge of the flowers and grasses there were about a dozen birds collecting their breakfast of bugs. The green ended and the landscape transformed to rock; this was when the most difficult part of the trip began. Of the seven 14ers I have bagged, this was probably the steepest section I have encountered. Still it was nothing more than a challenge to overcome and the flatter easier terrain at about 13,800 was welcome. The final summit came into view and it was a nice walk the rest of the way. There were about six people at the summit and it was easy to find your own space to take in the stunning views of Mt Massive, Snow Mass and the rest of the named and unnamed peaks abounding in every direction. One sight that always seemed to be in view the whole time above tree line was the trailhead (red circle); a constant reminder of how far you had traveled or had yet to travel. After a snack and a summit photo it was time head back down. There seemed to be an endless flow of other hikers on the trail and I am glad I hit the trail so early. Its not that I am anti-social, but when I am hiking, especially 14ers, it is the wide open spaces that I enjoy the most. As I encountered people the most common question was "How much farther to the top?" I almost felt like a tour guide at times describing the route, its ease or difficulty, and on occasion breaking out the map as a visual aid. As I completed the trail and I was once again alone in the forest I had time to reflect on the hike. In addition to summiting and the sights, it was the people I met along the way that made this so memorable. Eric from Orange County California; we met up about tree line and hiked together on and off to the summit. We helped each other with summit photos and although he headed back before I did, we met up again at the trailhead trading accounts of the journey. The two guys from the panhandle of Texas; we reached the summit together and I enjoyed talking about other hikes and 14ers. The football team from Kansas City area, who the day before made a bid on Mt Massive; I hope all of you made it to the top. The young lady with the knee and ankle pain at tree line; glad I could help with a little Ibuprofen. Although this was the longest and steepest 14er I have bagged, it was by far the most rewarding and probably the most memorable. My thanks to the Colorado 14ers Initiative for maintaining the trails. Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

Elbert - Northeast Ridge

Everything went according to plan this trip; I found a great campsite near the trailhead on Half Moon Road and had a spectacular view of the summit from the camp site.

I arrived on Saturday, 7/21/07 at about 5pm to dark clouds building in from the south. I looked at the weather before leaving South Dakota and knew there was supposed to be rain. I was expecting the usual short lived shower; instead mother nature had in store a steady three hour rain. In hind sight it was peaceful to hear the drops hitting the tent while I read and had a carb packed dinner. I woke at about 5am and after a hearty breakfast of oatmeal, fruit and yogurt, I hit the trail. It was just twilight and a head lamp was not needed. It was probably one of the most beautiful mornings I have every experienced as I made my way through the evergreen forest still damp with the previous night's rain. The soothing sounds of Elbert Creek and Box Creek rolling through the forest were the only sounds to break the songs of the birds as the sun began to break the horizon behind me.

The half waypoint was the stark distinction between the forest and the wide open landscape of the alpine. The flowers were in full bloom and the breath taking views were endless. At rocky point at about 13,000 ft the marmots were sprawled out soaking up the morning sun. Two of them were chattering back and forth completely comfortable with me taking their picture.

As I climbed up to the edge of the flowers and grasses there were about a dozen birds collecting their breakfast of bugs. The green ended and the landscape transformed to rock; this was when the most difficult part of the trip began. Of the seven 14ers I have bagged, this was probably the steepest section I have encountered. Still it was nothing more than a challenge to overcome and the flatter easier terrain at about 13,800 was welcome. The final summit came into view and it was a nice walk the rest of the way.

There were about six people at the summit and it was easy to find your own space to take in the stunning views of Mt Massive, Snow Mass and the rest of the named and unnamed peaks abounding in every direction. One sight that always seemed to be in view the whole time above tree line was the trailhead (red circle); a constant reminder of how far you had traveled or had yet to travel.

After a snack and a summit photo it was time head back down. There seemed to be an endless flow of other hikers on the trail and I am glad I hit the trail so early. Its not that I am anti-social, but when I am hiking, especially 14ers, it is the wide open spaces that I enjoy the most. As I encountered people the most common question was "How much farther to the top?" I almost felt like a tour guide at times describing the route, its ease or difficulty, and on occasion breaking out the map as a visual aid.

As I completed the trail and I was once again alone in the forest I had time to reflect on the hike. In addition to summiting and the sights, it was the people I met along the way that made this so memorable. Eric from Orange County California; we met up about tree line and hiked together on and off to the summit. We helped each other with summit photos and although he headed back before I did, we met up again at the trailhead trading accounts of the journey. The two guys from the panhandle of Texas; we reached the summit together and I enjoyed talking about other hikes and 14ers. The football team from Kansas City area, who the day before made a bid on Mt Massive; I hope all of you made it to the top. The young lady with the knee and ankle pain at tree line; glad I could help with a little Ibuprofen.

Although this was the longest and steepest 14er I have bagged, it was by far the most rewarding and probably the most memorable. My thanks to the Colorado 14ers Initiative for maintaining the trails.

Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):

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