Mt. Elbert South TH -- Little experience w/ 4WD

[cg3207]

I'll be visiting Elbert in a few weeks and really want to do the hike from the south trailhead. I've read the reports available and I'll have a stock Wrangler 4x4 rental, so I'm pretty confident the vehicle can make it to the 4WD trailhead. BUT -- I myself don't have a lot of experience with 4WD roads. So my question is, how difficult of a drive is it actually, and can I safely make it without a ton of experience? I couldn't find any info to answer that via searching.

Thanks in advance for any insight!

[Scott P]

It shouldn't be a problem in a Wrangler.

[Ptglhs]

In 2022 a Subaru made it. Last year there was one section so rutted out that it was no longer easy 4wd. A wrangler should be able to make it, but don't be afraid to get out, walk up to eye a difficult section.

[cg3207]

In 2022 a Subaru made it. Last year there was one section so rutted out that it was no longer easy 4wd. A wrangler should be able to make it, but don't be afraid to get out, walk up to eye a difficult section.

Thank you! When I said "not a lot" I really meant it This makes me feel a little better, but I also wonder what a difficult section might look like? In addition, I'll be starting in the dark, which adds even more fun!

[cg3207]

It shouldn't be a problem in a Wrangler.

I'm not worried about the Wrangler. I'm mildly worried about my lack of 4WD driving skills

[Bill G]

You may want to check w the rental car company. Many prohibit what you are suggesting and the cars are equipped w GPS tracking.

[DeTour]

How long will you have the Wrangler and be in the area? If practical, a test drive up the road in daylight the day before might be worthwhile.

[cg3207]

How long will you have the Wrangler and be in the area? If practical, a test drive up the road in daylight the day before might be worthwhile.

I'll be arriving on a Sunday and tackling Elbert Wednesday or Thursday depending on weather. This is a really good idea!! Bit of a forehead slapper but that's what outside perspectives are for.

[Ptglhs]

I'll be arriving on a Sunday and tackling Elbert Wednesday or Thursday depending on weather. This is a really good idea!! Bit of a forehead slapper but that's what outside perspectives are for.

I was going to suggest driving up the late afternoon before and car camping. You get to do the drive in daylight, you get extra sleep because you're already there. Waking up at 5 at the TH is a lot easier than getting up at 0100 in the metro area and driving for nearly 3 hours.

[cg3207]

I'll be in the Leadville area so luckily not 3 hours away!

[HikesInGeologicTime]

I'll be visiting Elbert in a few weeks and really want to do the hike from the south trailhead.

When you say “south trailhead,” do you mean the South Mt. Elbert TH that goes up the East Ridge route or the Black Cloud TH that goes up the Southeast Ridge?

If it is the TH for East Ridge, I gotta say that I don’t particularly like driving all the way up the 4WD road on that one, and I do have experience driving roads of similar rocky/ruttedness - the S. Elbert TH road is really bumpy, especially as you go higher up, and it’s also narrow with fewer pull-offs than one might like, so passing another vehicle can be a real pain. I got my own Subaru up (and back down from) there earlier this year, so it is doable, but I sure can’t say I enjoyed it.

But if you’re talking about Black Cloud, I don’t recall there being a whole lot to that one after you turn off 82, so if you are thinking of going up Elbert that way (which is a long, steep approach from BC plus some up-and-down when you factor in going over South Elbert, but the trail up to the ridge is solid, and it’s a scenic as well as less crowded option), you’d probably have a fairly easy time with the drive, although it still might be worth scouting the day before.

But if you do indeed want the more straightforward East Ridge, I think I’d recommend that someone unsure of their 4WD skills park at the 2WD TH not far off 82 and hoof it the extra 2 miles up the road.

[cg3207]

I'm talking about the first one, the South Elbert TH that goes up the east ridge route. I was interested in it because I heard it's more scenic and slightly "easier" (although we all know 14ers aren't easy, especially for sea level dwellers like me lol). I think I even read somewhere it's becoming the new standard route? Anyway, if the road is that rough I might consider the northeast ridge route instead of adding 4 miles round trip, as that kind of negates the east ridge being "easier."