Elbert Parking Lot

[mjs1979]

Hello Everyone,

Usual apologies for if this topic is covered elsewhere. I have done my best to search but could not find a clear answer.

Next Sat (20th July) we are expecting to climb Elbert by the NE route. We've done our training, have our kit ready, are staying in Leadville and are expecting a very early start. Should we be concerned of the parking lot filling up? I know the answer is 'come early' for parking and to avoid storms but if everyone does that surely it can still fill even if very early. I think we'd assume to be on trail no later than 5.30am, if not earlier, but that can be adjusted as needed. Can people park on the nearby roads? Or overflow parking? Or is it just not an issue worth worrying about. It looks like we don't have to worry about needing an AWD at least, per the trail head description and recent reports.

We have visitors coming from NYC and Seattle so it would be crushingly disappointing if we did all of this prep and couldn't park and got too late of a start...

Thank you for your time (and patience if this is already answer somewhere).

[aemsu2017]

I climbed Elbert last year and failed the year before so I can fill you in. If you are climbing Saturday I would guess the proper parking lot will be full by 6 am if not earlier. There is some more space around the lot that people can park but that runs out super fast. After those fill up you could start parking in pull offs on halfmoon creek, there are a bunch of those but they can be a little walk to the trail head. Overall i'd say try to get there by 5-5:30 and you should be ok on parking.

The road is pretty rough for a 2wd especially with low clearance but you could do it. Also as always, if this is your first 14er drink a lot of water. Like three times as much water as you expect, especially the night before. Good luck though, watch out for the false summits.

[Monte Meals]

I'm not sure what aemsu is referring to regarding the road -
The Trailhead tab says "2WD easy dirt road all the way to the TH"
which I agree with.

Generally, I drive to the trailhead the night before (which I do regularly
at Elbert and Massive) roll out my sleeping bag by my car and MARVEL at the stars
until early light - have a cold breakfast - and watch the alpenglow
hit the high peak as I begin my hike.

Enjoy your hike !

[Wigniter]

It's a pretty easy gravel road to the TH. Some sharp curves and inclines, but nothing that requires 4WD.

We arrived at the TH around 6:30 and got some of the last spots.

It was our first 14er and round trip was 11.0 miles, 4,400 ft of gain, and took us 9 hours.