Ascent of Mount Elbert on 2010-08-14| Date: | Saturday, August 14, 2010 | | Ascent Type: | Successful Summit Attained | | Motorized Transport to Trailhead: | Car | | Peak: | Mount Elbert | | Location: | USA-Colorado | | Elevation: | 14433 ft / 4399 m |
Ascent Trip ReportHaving slept in a little, and having been delayed by a large bike race in Leadville, I eventually set off late from the Mount Elbert trailhead around 7am. Luckily the forecast was for all day sun and not the normal afternoon thunderstorm pattern.
Starting through the trees I was amazed by how many squirrels there were cavorting in plain view. I could immediately feel the altitude despite my attempts at acclimatising on the Pikes Peak cog railway the day before. At the tree line I stopped to put on sunglasses / hat etc and could see a few dozen people on the trail ahead. As I set off my mind wandered and my body found it's rhythm. All of a sudden I was over 4000m at the shoulder constituting the first of several false summits as viewed from below. The continuation to the top remained easy onthe well worn trail, although I had to slow my pace again because of the altitude. Soon I was at the top with magnificent views stretching from Pikes Peak in the southeast to the peaks around Aspen to the West.
Many ill-equipped and under-prepared people were coming up the lower part of the trail as I descended, I can understand why the rangers treat everyone as if they are stupid, since a certain minority clearly are.. The return by the same route was otherwise uneventful, except I emerged from the forest at the Mount Massive trailhead instead, apparently having missed the junction and continued too far on the Colorado trail. A half mile back along a hot and dusty road was my reward.
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| Summary Total Data | | Elevation Gain: | 4579 ft / 1394 m | | Elevation Loss: | 4579 ft / 1394 m | | Distance: | 10 mi / 16.1 km | | Route Conditions: | Maintained Trail | | Weather: | Pleasant, Calm, Clear
Hot and sunny below, about 6C on top. | | Ascent Statistics | | Elevation Gain: | 4481 ft / 1365 m | | Extra Loss: | 98 ft / 29 m | | Distance: | 4.5 mi / 7.2 km | | Route: | North Mount Elbert Trail | | Trailhead: | Mount Elbert Trailhead 10050 ft / 3063 m | | Time Up: | 3 Hours 40 Minutes | | Descent Statistics | | Elevation Loss: | 4481 ft / 1365 m | | Extra Gain: | 98 ft / 29 m | | Distance: | 5.5 mi / 8.9 km | | Route: | North Mount Elbert Trail | | Trailhead: | Mount Elbert Trailhead 10050 ft / 3063 m | | Time Down: | 2 Hours |
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