We are traveling in from Tampa tomorrow and had planned to camp near twin lakes Sunday and Monday and hike Mt.Elbert Tuesday and from everything we are reading the snow is still pretty bad.
Any suggestions for a non snow hiking couple. Is the hike to the tree line up to MtElbert worth doing? Any suggestions of longer hikes in the area? Are camp grounds in good conditions?
Any input and suggestions are welcome
Thank you
Mt.Elbert Suggestions hiking and camping
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Trentadue32
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thebeave7
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Re: Mt.Elbert Suggestions hiking and camping
The valley is pretty much snow free so campgrounds and camping areas (esp around Twin Lakes) will be perfectly fine. I haven't been up Elbert so can only point you to the Peak Conditions report from recent folks saying there's still some snow up there, but people are making it without floatation.
I was up on Shavano last weekend and the normal trail has several sections of snow, but one could easily navigate to the summit with just microspikes. I also had a friend go up Belford who said the main trail is perfectly fine for hiking without gear. Enjoy your trip, and if you're looking for snow free areas pretty much the entire Colorado Trail along the Eastern side of the Sawatch is snow free.
Eric
I was up on Shavano last weekend and the normal trail has several sections of snow, but one could easily navigate to the summit with just microspikes. I also had a friend go up Belford who said the main trail is perfectly fine for hiking without gear. Enjoy your trip, and if you're looking for snow free areas pretty much the entire Colorado Trail along the Eastern side of the Sawatch is snow free.
Eric
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summitrunner
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Re: Mt.Elbert Suggestions hiking and camping
Buena Vista east side will give you a lot of dry hiking. Colorado Mountain College in Leadville and the Wheeler's Trails are fun and dry. You could hike around Turquoise Lake. Zion is looking dry...no beta. Stuff around Minturn is looking dry...no beta.
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