Best Elbert Route for an Overnighter

[MichaelWG]

Hey guys - i'm looking to do Elbert as an overnighter with a couple of friends within the next month or so, and I'm trying to get a feel for which route would offer the best spots to camp nearby a water source. I've been studying the topos and it looks like just about all of them pass near a creek or lake at some point, but it's obviously tough to tell from just a map how accessible the water sources actually are (and whether there are decent places to set up a tent).

Any suggestions would be much appreciated!

[Scott P]

Black Cloud is probably the best route for an overnighter.

[Tory Wells]

Black Cloud is probably the best route for an overnighter.

I agree. The are some campsites near treeline on your way up from the valley.

Keep in mind that doing the Black Cloud route requires you to summit South Elbert before and after summiting Elbert, so plan for that.

[paully]

Strongly agree with Black Cloud... be sure not to mistake it for a nearby TH, which accesses a neighboring Centennial peak (the name escapes me, but I accidentally climbed it once)... Signs may be more clear since I went though.

[justiner]

Are you thinking Bull Hill? Thats closeish but not a Cent. Hope is also close but the opposite direction.

[davebobk47]

I've done east ridge as an overnighter twice. Great place to camp around 11400 in the trees on the edge of some openings.

[MichaelWG]

I've done east ridge as an overnighter twice. Great place to camp around 11400 in the trees on the edge of some openings.

Thanks, everyone. I thought Black Cloud looked like the best option in terms of its proximity to a creek, but couldn't tell reliably from the topo whether there would be good flat places to set up camp anywhere near it.

That said, East Ridge looks like a slightly less strenuous hike, which may be good for the friends that I'm taking with me. Was the creek very accessible from those openings around treeline, or did you just haul in your water?

[TakeMeToYourSummit]

thinking Bull Hill?

Not to digress the issue too far... but I did the French-Frasco-Casco combo from the Echo Canyon approach (same as Bull Hill). Randomly it was recently brought up on the FB page.

[Gene913]

I thought Black Cloud looked like the best option in terms of its proximity to a creek, but couldn't tell reliably from the topo whether there would be good flat places to set up camp anywhere near it.

There are at least two good, flat, established backcountry sites along the Black Cloud trail below treeline. Both are near places where the trail crosses Black Cloud creek. So no issue with water being accessible near a camp site.

The issue with the Black Cloud trail is not backcountry camp sites with accessible water. The issue with this route is its length, and the fact that you must first summit South Elbert at just over 14,100, and then traverse along the ridge to Elbert itself.

Not an arduous ridge run, but it is some ways from S. Elbert to Elbert and you will be at elevation for an extended amount of time. You will have to access the skills and abilities of your friends to determine whether this is their cup of tea or not. And of course the only way to descend is to go back the same way you came, which means you are climbing 3 14ers in a single day - S. Elbert twice and Elbert once.

[globreal]

Michael,

Something to consider....

Your original post said, "with a couple of friends within the next month or so." Elbert most likely will be covered in snow by the time you go. Therefore, your need to camp alongside a creek will not be mandatory. You can just melt snow for your water. In that case, I would suggest the Northeast Ridge route. This route gives you a paved road all the way to the TH. A less strenuous class 1 hike for your "friends" which you mentioned may be helpful for them. And a completely avalanche safe route all the way to the summit.

For whatever it's worth....there is a big CMC group that does Elbert every January. They've done it the past 14 years or so. The group meets at the TH at noon on Saturday. This leaves enough time to get to camp and set up tents before dark. They camp in the trees at 11,700ish just before exiting treeline. Then they leave for the summit around sunrise, make it back to camp around lunchtime, and back to the cars mid-afternoon. The group has a huge success rate using this route and approach.

Hope this is helpful for you. Good luck!

[globreal]

Michael,

Your original post said, "with a couple of friends within the next month or so." Elbert most likely will be covered in snow by the time you go. Therefore, your need to camp alongside a creek will not be mandatory. You can just melt snow for your water. In that case, I would suggest the Northeast Ridge route. This route gives you a paved road all the way to the TH. A less strenuous class 1 hike for your "friends" which you mentioned may be helpful for them. And a completely avalanche safe route all the way to the summit.

For whatever it's worth....there is a big CMC group that does Elbert every January. They've done it the past 14 years or so. The group meets at the TH at noon on Saturday. This leaves enough time to get to camp and set up tents before dark. They camp in the trees at 11,700ish just before exiting treeline. On Sunday, they leave for the summit around sunrise, make it back to camp around lunchtime, and back to the cars mid-afternoon. The group has a huge success rate using this route and approach.

Hope this is helpful for you. Good luck!

[davebobk47]

I've done east ridge as an overnighter twice. Great place to camp around 11400 in the trees on the edge of some openings.

Thanks, everyone. I thought Black Cloud looked like the best option in terms of its proximity to a creek, but couldn't tell reliably from the topo whether there would be good flat places to set up camp anywhere near it.

That said, East Ridge looks like a slightly less strenuous hike, which may be good for the friends that I'm taking with me. Was the creek very accessible from those openings around treeline, or did you just haul in your water?

I brought in water once and had snow once. Without snow you'll have to haul it in.