Route: Southeast Ridge via Black Cloud
Posted On: 2020-10-06, By: supranihilest
Info: The Black Cloud Trail is easy to follow. At the turnoff listed in the Roach guidebook (39.0823, -106.4364) for the trail to Fidelity Mine I couldn't locate any trail and just bushwhacked west through the forest until I hit an open drainage, then went up the drainage until the trail appeared to my right on the hillside. The trail is overgrown and faint. It's not necessary to find it, just go up the drainage if need be. Above treeline the ridge becomes rocky and progress slows, but it's all easy, if long, and goes at Class 2. I continued on to Elbert from here. 

Route: South Ridge
Posted On: 2020-07-04, By: E_A_Marcus_949
Info: Full summer conditions. No lingering snow. The creek crossing 0.3mi from lower TH has a bunch of logs for crossing, but they're slick. After Golden Fleece Mine you can follow the GPX route and go up the rocks or skirt around to the side and angle up. Took GPX route up and skirted around on the descent - some trail segments there. 

Route: South Ridge
Posted On: 2020-06-24, By: JasonKline
Info: Summer conditions. With only a little effort between South Elbert and Bull Hill, the little remaining snow is easily avoidable. The same could not be said for the crowd of about twenty people who insisted on standing tightly-packed while blocking distanced access to the Elbert summit block and flying a drone. 

Route: South Ridge
Posted On: 2020-06-18, By: stephakett
Info: Trail is completely dry 

Route: South Ridge
Posted On: 2020-05-21, By: angry
Info: Summer conditions. You can completely avoid remaining snow patches by skirting left/right. There is one annoying loose scree section around ~12,700. The creek crossing was flowing pretty strong on the way out and the logs were very slick, mind the gap. 

Route: South Ridge
Posted On: 2020-05-17, By: HikerGuy
Info: Essentially snow free, no need for traction or snowshoes. There are some remaining wind drifts on the trail as you approach the first switchback, but nothing major. Maybe bring gaiters, but the postholing is limited. I just cleaned out my shoes once I was through. Most of the remaining snow can be avoided. Otherwise, summer conditions. 

Route: South Ridge
Posted On: 2020-01-26, By: AnnaG22
Info: Trench installed roughly along the trail. We had some fun navigating below treeline. Once you reach the switchbacks for the standard dry trail, hang further east and keep to the less than 25 degree slopes instead of continuing to follow the switchbacks (this will make for slightly less flailing). 

Route: From Mt Elbert & down the ridge to Black Cloud TH
Posted On: 2019-07-28, By: majtytom
Info: Bone dry...full summer. Snow remnants are there for views. 

Route: South Ridge
Posted On: 2019-06-02, By: WildWanderer
Info: Snow started about 1/4 mile after the stream crossing and didn't stop. I wore snowshoes and postholed from when the snow started until treeline (up to my thighs). The trail was covered in several feet of snow, so there was some route finding involved (now the route is well marked by my postholing). There was an avalanche in the gully, and just before the last switchback I decided to take the consolidated gully instead of the postholing switchbacks (postholing at 5am was getting old). This was a great idea, but you have to wait until the last switchback because the gully doesn't "go" all the way down to the stream (see pic). Easy trek from mine to summit. Wore snowshoes but they probably weren't needed after the mine. 

Route: South Ridge
Posted On: 2018-11-19, By: cottonmountaineering
Info: Snow begins at road until a bit after you exit treeline, from there you can go up intermittent snow/rocks onto ridgeline Snowshoes recommended for the lower half of the mountain 

Route: South Ridge
Posted On: 2018-06-29, By: denvermikey
Info: 100% summer conditions. Quick update of Bill's TR from 2012. We kept missing the turnoff for the TH as the TR does not mention the turnoff is on private property. This may not have been the case in 2012 but there is an address sign posted at the entrance which is why we kept driving by. Address is 12715. Also the sign in his pic 2 has fallen but the post is still there. Otherwise the TR is spot on. Easy trail to follow! 

Route: South Ridge
Posted On: 2017-12-09, By: Trotter
Info: Trail is usually a mix of 1 inch of snow and clear. Once you get above treeline, the mining road holds about 3-5 inches of snow on long parts of it. Once above the second mine, that ridge is swept fairly clean, maybe an inch of snow. Did find several icy patches mixed in. Brought spikes but never used them, snowshoes aren't needed either yet, but would have been nice on the mining road in some spots 

Route: South Ridge
Posted On: 2016-11-12, By: tjf242424
Info: Totally dry (no surprise). The trailhead is a bit hard to find, since it looks like a private driveway, including house number on a wooden sign. Drive past the house and find the parking just beyond on the left. 

Route: South Ridge
Posted On: 2016-09-10, By: jasayrevt
Info: Clear and very nice enjoyable trip w/ reaching summits. Invigorating, Inspiring Hobby. Great, beautiful 13er mountains. This quality, classic route is a unique undertaking and lightly traveled. Incredible views of Sawatch Range peaks. Prime, excellent, and bluebird summer conditions up high for navigating slopes and ridge line extremely well. Successful traverse to Mt. Cosgriff (13,588') too. Trail runners and light pack were good. Climb safely / swiftly in the hills folks. Pictures included as beta 

Route: South Ridge
Posted On: 2012-11-25, By: IHikeLikeAGirl
Info: Dry. No need for any special gear. I wore gaitors, took micro spikes and an ice axe. No need for any of those items. Encountered small patches of snow 2-6" deep, all easily avoidable...if one wished. The creek crossing is a big ice flow (the only time I put on the micro spikes), but one can easily cross the creek, on dry rocks, by going upstream a bit. Photo #1 Dry conditions for 90% of the trail Photo #2 The old mining road, the most snow we saw all day Photo #3 The ridge to the summit 

Route: South Ridge
Posted On: 2012-10-31, By: Wyoming Bob
Info: There are a bunch of Bull Hill trip reports for the same route, Bill and others nailed the route description and cut off points, and I cannot improve upon their work, so lets just go with a Conditions Report. The 4WD road is only 0.4 miles and is no sweat in a Tacoma, I‘d not do it in a Subaru. No snow to the summit! Sure, you can find some here or there is you want but as of today, approach shoes would be fine. Incredible blue bird day, sunny, warm temp and no wind for the whole climb. Photos for those interested in the Indy Pass area this weekend before it closes . . . My usual link Narrative for anyone interested. 

Route: From CO 82
Posted On: 2012-03-10, By: Matt Lemke
Info: Thanks to Bobby for his fantastic trench...this was one of the easiest winter climbs I‘ve ever done. Never needed snowshoes...the trail had the nice trench...above treeline snow was very minimal and that old road up to the mines was actually relatively snow free all the way up. So warm...no wind I sat on the summit for an hour!