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 · Southeast Ridge
Overview
The Southeast Ridge climbs Mount Elbert from the Black Cloud trailhead on the Independence Pass road. It is a long, steep Class 2 hike with a trail most of the way. The round trip is about 10.5 miles with around 5,300 feet of gain, which makes it the hardest of the common routes on Elbert.
The route climbs through forest along Black Cloud Creek, past old mining remains, then up a steep slope to a long ridge. You go over South Elbert, a 14,134-foot point, before reaching the true summit. Compared with the standard northeast ridge, it has more gain, fewer people and a longer stretch above treeline.
It suits strong hikers who want a quieter day and are ready for a big effort. Plan on 9 to 12 hours car to car.
Plan of the day
Start by
By 4:30 or 5 a.m. You have over a mile of ridge walking and more than 5,000 feet to climb.
Turnaround
If you are not on top of South Elbert by 10:30 a.m., or storms are building, turn around. The summit is still more than a mile away, and you must come back over South Elbert.
Crux
The steep, sustained climb from about 12,900 feet to the ridge crest near 13,600 feet, followed by nearly a mile of ridge to South Elbert.
Route-finding
Easy to moderate. Watch for the spot above the mining shack where the trail turns east instead of going straight up the drainage. On the ridge the trail is faint in places, so follow the crest.
Water
Black Cloud Creek runs beside the lower trail. Filter it. There is nothing above the mine tailings, so carry at least 3 liters from there.
South of Leadville, leave U.S. 24 and head west on Colorado 82, the Independence Pass road, past Twin Lakes. The signed lot is on the right after roughly 10.5 miles. The entrance is hard to spot, so drive slowly near it.
The lot is small and holds about a dozen vehicles. Look for the trail just behind the first spaces on the right as you pull in.
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
Black Cloud trailhead 9,700' · 0 mi
Pick up the trail at the right side of the lot. It climbs right away into the forest along Black Cloud Creek.
2
First log bridge 10,500' · 1 mi
After about a mile, a small log bridge takes you over to the creek's west side.
Watch for: Logs can be slick when wet.
3
Second creek crossing 10,700' · 1.25 mi
A little farther on, return to the creek's east bank. Keep following the trail uphill.
Watch for: Good place to filter water.
4
Aspen grove 11,200' · 1.7 mi
Climb through a stand of small aspens. The terrain opens up near 11,200 feet.
5
Old mining shack 11,600' · 2 mi
Reach the ruins of an old cabin. Follow the trail into rocky ground on the right, heading for the drainage beneath South Elbert.
6
Mine tailings 12,000' · 2.35 mi
The trail leaves the drainage and turns east up a hillside. Cross the top of a pile of mine tailings and keep heading east through the trees.
Watch for: Do not keep going straight up the drainage.
7
Treeline 12,200' · 2.5 mi
The trees thin out. Turn and head up a steep slope to the northeast.
Watch for: From here you are exposed to lightning.
8
Steep upper slope 12,900' · 2.8 mi
Above about 12,900 feet the trail gets even steeper. Take a steady pace and keep going toward the ridge crest.
9
Southeast ridge crest 13,580' · 3.1 mi
Reach the ridge just below 13,600 feet. Now you have almost a mile of ridge walking to South Elbert. Go over a gentle bump, drop a little, and follow a faint trail on the crest.
10
South Elbert 14,134' · 4 mi
Hike up easy ground to the top of this high point. From here you can see the rest of the route to the true summit.
Watch for: Check the weather. You will have to come back over this point.
11
Broad saddle 13,900' · 4.5 mi
Follow the ridge northwest for about half a mile, dropping to a wide saddle near 13,900 feet.
12
Summit of Mount Elbert 14,438' · 5.25 mi
Turn north and climb the last three quarters of a mile along the ridge. Stay on the crest and it leads right to the top.
Watch for: The summit may be busy with hikers from other routes. Make sure you head back down the southeast ridge.
Getting down
Return the way you came. Go south down the ridge to the saddle, then climb back up and over South Elbert. Follow the ridge to the spot near 13,600 feet where you came up, and descend the steep slope to treeline. Watch your footing on the steep sections. In the forest, follow the trail west past the tailings and back down along the creek.
If things go wrong
The fastest way out is back the way you came, but that means going over South Elbert again. If a storm catches you on the ridge, move quickly toward the spot where you gained the crest and drop down the slope toward treeline. Do not wait out a storm on the ridge. If someone has altitude sickness, get them lower. In an emergency, call 911 if you have signal. This route sees fewer people, so do not count on others nearby.
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.
