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A great loop around Mount Elbert.


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Map Key

14.5

Miles

23.3

KM

Loop

14,407' 4,391 m

High

10,075' 3,071 m

Low

4,913' 1,497 m

Up

4,920' 1,500 m

Down

13%

Avg Grade (7°)

95%

Max Grade (44°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Commonly Backpacked · Geological Significance · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Overview

This route summits Colorado's highest peak at 14,440' in one epic, full-value day hike. The route follows a fairly well-trodden path across moderate terrain, making it accessible to most fitness levels. Going counterclockwise, this loop gets the hard part over first, followed by 9-ish miles of downhills and flats. The views are very much worth the effort and potential crowds.

Need to Know

The trail going down is officially called the S Mt Elbert Trail (#1481) - according to the sign at the bottom. There are no permits required to hike this peak, and dispersed camping is allowed in the surrounding national forest. This is convenient for getting a pre-dawn start to your hike. Just be sure to check the latest road conditions and regulations with the Pike-San Isabel National Forest before you go.

Description

The first five miles (North Trail) is all uphill. It is well-marked and starts at the Mt. Elbert Trailhead. It goes for about a mile on the Colorado Trail, then turns right on the Mt Elbert North Trail. You spend a little over another mile in the trees, where the trail is in good shape and isn't that technical (at least compared to trails in the east).

Above the tree line is an exposed section for about another mile with a lot of grass and brush. The trail is in good shape here and isn't too technical. The last section gets very steep and is very rocky. Going up it was ok, but I can see how going down that part would be challenging.

Don't forget to look behind you periodically after you emerge from the tree line. There are some fabulous views.

The second five miles (South Trail) is all down. From the top, go back (north), maybe 100 meters, and you'll see an unmarked trail to the right. Take that. The terrain and trail conditions match the North Trail, except the top section isn't as steep or technical as it is on the North Trail. There was some maintenance and a few minor reroutes in the grassy section (July 2020). The views looking towards Twin Lakes and Leadville are awesome.

The last four or so miles of the Colorado Trail/Continental Divide Trail are pretty flat. The trail is all below the treeline, in great shape, and most of it was pretty fast (again, compared to East Coast trails).

Contacts

Shared By:

John Main with improvements by Jesse Weber

Trail Ratings

  5.0 from 3 votes

#6

in Leadville

#1199

Overall
  5.0 from 3 votes
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Recommended Route Rankings

#6

in Leadville

#241

in Colorado

#1,199

Overall
7 Views Last Month
1,760 Since Jul 28, 2020
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Photos

The final cairn!
Dec 12, 2019 near Leadvil…, CO
Approximately 13,800' up, less than a mile from the summit!
Dec 9, 2019 near Leadvil…, CO
Sunrise on Mount Elbert in July.
Jan 21, 2022 near Leadvil…, CO
Panorama of summit.
Jul 10, 2016 near Leadvil…, CO
Summit view, Mt Elbert Colorado
Feb 16, 2015 near Leadvil…, CO
North Mount Elbert Trail
Aug 8, 2019 near Leadvil…, CO

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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 95 days ago
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Check-Ins

Jul 29, 2024
alex Th13l
6:10 mvg time. passed 40+ people, passed by 2. Mental-all class 1, will to keep moving. 2nd day in CO, overall felt fine. 2hrs faster than avg. 14.7mi — 7h 15m
Jul 9, 2024
Julian Ramlal
Jul 27, 2022
Valerie Norton
https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2022/07/mount-elbert.html
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