Mount Elbert in winter

[SteveVM]

Considering that you are guiding a client and looking to camp out one night I recommend the East Ridge. It’s a longer route but has great places to camp high up. With the recent snow the access to the NE Ridge might be difficult. Best wishes for your trip. Steve

[Heavy Shovel]

Hey All,

I am a first time poster but have followed 14ers.com for two years. Myself and a few friends are from Texas, and after recently giving up on our soccer pitch glory days, we've traded those boots for hiking boots. We are decently seasoned hikers/ campers, etc (early 40's). We attempted Blanca Peak in July 2016 with a mix of unexperienced hikers which was super stupid of us to try. We only made it to Como Lake that year but returned this past June with just 5 of us and completed our first summit of a 14er. Hells yeah! But June of last year had tremendous snow in the upper elevation due to the Snow storm that came in last May. Soooooo....the mountain challenged our snow abilities. We loved it. We are hoping to summit Mt. Elbert in a few weeks (MLK weekend) as we see this as a great opportunity to practice our winter skills and get a second 14er under our belt. With that said, I have a few questions: 1. Is this a good mountain to start with for a winter trip? 2. Sounds like the East Ridge is the only access to a Trailhead right now? Is camping below the treeline still in play in January? 3. How is the weather in that area right now?

Thanks in advance.

Also, I've attached a few photos from Blanca this past June

[Scott P]

1. Is this a good mountain to start with for a winter trip?

As far as 14ers go, yes, but make sure to stay on route (the East Ridge). Avalanche danger is almost always low if you stay on the East Ridge (now though, other routes may have low avalanche danger). The biggest obstacles are usually the cold and wind. It can be a long day, depending on conditions and fitness as well.

2. Sounds like the East Ridge is the only access to a Trailhead right now? Is camping below the treeline still in play in January?

It's not the only access, but it is the standard route. The road is usually open to the Black Cloud and Echo Canyon Trailheads as well, but these are harder and often more dangerous routes. Under good conditions though, they can make good routes.

3. How is the weather in that area right now?

Overall, it has been warmer and much drier than normal.

snowpack.JPG

[Trotter]

Make sure you prepare for January camping at high altitudes if you haven't done It before. It can be very very cold, check weather reports for 11k.

I'd recommend quandary, and skip the camping.

[Heavy Shovel]

Thank you Scott P and Trotter! I believe we are going to camp at one of the many fine hotels in the area on this one! Travel day will be Friday. Saturday we will acclimate, maybe check out the TH, and stop in to a few of the local shops and see if us Southern Boys can get someone to tell us all about the in's and out's of winter gear, etc. (Not that we don't already have some knowledge, but hopefully an experienced local can expand on it)...knowledge is a good thing, but understanding is better. Sunday Summit...Monday travel back home.

10 day weather forecast are showing nice weather for next weekend at base elevation levels, so fingers are crossed.

Again, thanks for the information.

Take care,

HS

[Heavy Shovel]

also, what is the Trench everyone keeps posting about? And why does everyone refer to it as a proper noun? I.E. the Trench instead of the trench.

Is this similar to the Hourglass on Little Bear?

[Cygnus X1]

Trench just means the trail has been boot-packed.

[pygmechick]

The route to the Northeast Ridge trailhead requires a snowmobile or a 5 mile hike each direction.

[Heavy Shovel]

Right now, we are planning on using the East Ridge TH in Twin Lakes. Biggest concern at the moment is the weather forecast for next weekend. How cold is too cold? Hmm... i might start a thread with that topic.

[Eli Boardman]

Right now, we are planning on using the East Ridge TH in Twin Lakes. Biggest concern at the moment is the weather forecast for next weekend. How cold is too cold? Hmm... i might start a thread with that topic.

If you have to ask...probably should get some winter camping / hiking experience in a non-alpine situation first. What are you going to do when your water freezes? Probably should know how to prevent that (and similar things) from happening, preferably by learning with some winter camping closer to a car.

[seano]

Don't overthink doing Elbert in the winter on a sunny day by the standard route. I did it on a day that was cold enough to freeze most of a gallon jug of water inside my car (single digits outside?), after sleeping in all my clothes with a 20-degree bag. If you're warm enough overnight, you'll be fine in downhill ski clothes.

[Heavy Shovel]

Don't overthink doing Elbert in the winter on a sunny day by the standard route. I did it on a day that was cold enough to freeze most of a gallon jug of water inside my car (single digits outside?), after sleeping in all my clothes with a 20-degree bag. If you're warm enough overnight, you'll be fine in downhill ski clothes.

Thanks Seano! I'm trying not too. My gut says I AM overthinking it, but my Texas DNA, says any weather under 32 degrees is worth over thinking!