Afternoon storm risk is the line that matters. Everything else is comfort. In summer, plan to be off the ridge before the build-up starts, not as it starts. Forecast for the summit point, adjusted for its elevation · data from Open-Meteo.
Alternate route · East Ridge
Overview
The East Ridge is the southern trail route up Mount Elbert, starting near Twin Lakes. It is Class 1 with a trail the whole way. It starts on the Colorado Trail, turns onto the South Mount Elbert trail, and then follows a long ridge to the summit.
It suits fit hikers who want a trail climb of Colorado's highest peak. It is similar in effort to the northeast ridge but longer. The last 2,000 feet of gain comes in the final 2 miles, and there is a steep, rocky section between about 13,400 and 13,800 feet.
From the upper 4WD trailhead the round trip is about 11.25 miles with about 4,200 feet of gain. Parking at the lower paved lot adds about 3.6 miles round trip on the 4WD road. Plan on 8 to 11 hours.
Plan of the day
Start by
By 5 a.m., earlier if walking from the lower lot. The upper ridge is long and fully exposed.
Turnaround
If you are not through the steep section near 13,800 feet by about 10:30 a.m., or storms are forming, turn around.
Crux
The steep, rocky stretch from about 13,400 to 13,800 feet. Zigzag up it and then move left onto the southeast face.
Route-finding
Easy, but watch the junctions low down. Keep left at both Lily Lakes junctions and at the next split onto the South Mount Elbert trail. Stay off closed old trail sections.
Water
A creek at the footbridge near the start. There is none on the ridge. Carry about 3 liters and filter anything from the creek.
South of Leadville, leave U.S. 24 and head west on Colorado 82 in the direction of Twin Lakes. After about 4 miles, turn right onto County Road 24. Climb about 1.2 miles to the paved lower trailhead on the left. Cars without 4WD should park here.
About 50 feet past the lower lot, a 4WD road (Forest Service 125.1B) turns left. The upper trailhead is about 1.8 miles up this road. It has a rough spot near half a mile and a small stream crossing near 1.6 miles. The upper lot has an information kiosk. You can also walk the Colorado Trail about 2.5 miles from the lower lot, but most people walk the road.
Trail in the treesTundraRidgeExposed to lightning
The line is elevation, the band underneath is the ground, and the numbered dots match the steps below. Mileage and elevations are approximate.
1
Upper 4WD trailhead 10,050' · 0 mi
Follow signs up a side road for about 50 yards, then turn right onto the Colorado Trail and Continental Divide Trail.
2
Footbridge 10,100' · 0.15 mi
Cross a creek on a footbridge. This is the last reliable water.
Watch for: Fill up and filter here.
3
Lily Lakes junctions 10,300' · 0.8 mi
Keep left at the first Lily Lakes junction. Pass through aspen groves and lose a bit of height; at the second Lily Lakes junction, make a sharp left.
4
South Mount Elbert trail 10,350' · 1 mi
Stay left at one more junction. You are now on the South Mount Elbert trail. Follow it up through the forest.
5
Trees thin out 11,400' · 2.2 mi
The trees thin out once you come to the ridge's south edge. Climb the ridge through a clearing near 11,600 feet.
6
Viewpoint corner 11,900' · 2.7 mi
Turn left and climb to a corner with a good view of the upper route. Then turn right and traverse north and back south.
7
Saddle on the ridge 12,400' · 3.5 mi
Regain the ridge near 12,300 feet and walk to a saddle. From here you gain about 2,000 feet in 2 miles.
Watch for: This is a good place to check time and weather.
8
Traverse on the north side 12,800' · 4 mi
Leave the saddle, go left around a first point, and regain the crest near 12,500 feet. The trail moves onto the north side and traverses west with views into Box Creek.
Watch for: Stay on the new trail. Old sections are closed for restoration.
9
Rock wall at 13,100 feet 13,100' · 4.5 mi
Near 13,000 feet the trail switchbacks back to the crest. Where a big rock wall blocks the ridge, go right and keep following the ridge.
10
Steep section 13,400' · 4.8 mi
Zigzag up the steep, rocky slope. Near the top, swing left onto the southeast face.
Watch for: Loose rock and gravel. Watch your footing, especially coming down.
11
Southeast face 13,800' · 5.1 mi
Traverse partway across the face, then climb about 600 feet to the summit ridge.
12
Summit of Mount Elbert 14,438' · 5.6 mi
Turn left and follow the summit ridge to the top of Colorado's highest peak.
Watch for: The northeast ridge trail also meets the summit. Make sure you head back down the east ridge.
Getting down
Return the way you came. Leave the summit on the east ridge, not the northeast ridge trail, which goes to a different trailhead. Go carefully down the steep, loose section. Lower down, follow the South Mount Elbert trail back to the Colorado Trail and keep right at the junctions to return to the upper trailhead. If you parked low, walk the 4WD road back down.
If things go wrong
The quickest way out is back down the ridge to treeline near 11,400 feet. If a storm hits above the saddle, head down right away. Traversing the ridge's north side blocks some of the west wind, yet it offers no protection at all from lightning. For injuries or altitude illness, go down, keep the person warm, and call 911 if you have signal.
Other routes
Every way up Mount Elbert we list, with its class.
This describes the route in its usual season. Distances and elevations are close estimates for planning. Snow, ice, rockfall, a washed-out road or an afternoon storm can make it a very different climb. Check recent conditions the week you go and turn around when the day tells you to.
