Colorado 14ers: Mt Elbert Winter Hike Trail Guide
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 มี.ค. 2020
- During the winter, Mt Elbert is a popular 14er to hike via its East Ridge. This hike is 14 miles RT with an elevation gain of approximately 6,000 ft. This is a nice winter hike because of its relatively low avalanche risk.
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Links to the gear that I use during winter hikes:
Yaktraks: amzn.to/2SCHJKr
Kahtoola Microspikes: amzn.to/31KwwM5
Hillsound Microspikes: amzn.to/3bv0b0b
Crampons: amzn.to/37kpzT7
Crampon Bag: amzn.to/37i7apV
La Sportiva Trango Hiking Boots (Men's): amzn.to/2wcdTFj
La Sportiva Trango Hiking Booths (Women's): amzn.to/2UJG9cA
La Sportiva Mountaineering Boots: amzn.to/3bu1lJp
Snowshoes (similar pair to what I have): amzn.to/2Hgx4jq
Mountain Ax: amzn.to/3bxohr2
Climbing Helmet: amzn.to/2OLReWO
Gaiters: amzn.to/37jlnmC
Dakine Poacher Winter Backpack: amzn.to/383M7ZB
Nalgene Waterbottle: amzn.to/2S3iy4w
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If you have hiked Mt Elbert recently, please leave the trail conditions you experienced here!
Don’t have conditions yet but I plan to attempt this with my cousin on February 3 if the weather works out. I know I’m about 10 months late here LOL. Definitely nervous about getting blasted with wind but that goes with the territory
I also wanted to ask if any car would be capable of making it to the
Lower trailhead in winter. It looks like its right off the HWY but wanted to make sure. I know this is all considering fresh snow had not fallen
@@jasonthomas16 Good luck!! please let me know how this goes for you. I plan on hiking it on the 10th.
@@Michael-kj9xr Did you go? I'm planning on going this weekend.
A stout 4x4 is what your supposed to have. The ride in SUCKS! I have seen small sedans in the parking lot. I drove my Benz GLA in. So take something like a Jeep or a truck. Take it SLOW!
Ah you were the dude I saw!!! Good I’m going to try this again. This time I’m getting sleep, food, cortisone in my hip, some O2 and good weather
"It seems like it will never end..."
It always feels that way at the time, esp going up, but then later, I always wish it had never ended!
Great hike! Looks like you're having fun out there. Keep up the videos! And remember, one step at a time
Looks sick!
Cool video! Even though you’ve completed all the 14ers still hope to see more 14er videos from ya this year especially with your drone and added recording experience!
Gregory_Adam for sure - I really hate how some of my old videos turned out l, Elbert being one of them, so def have a lot of 14ers either to rehike, take different routes or tackle during winter. Aka 14er videos aren’t going anywhere haha
So beautiful.
Man that drone footage is sick, makes me want to get one! Awesome video, always need snowshoes the most when they are left in the car!
Dave spates so true about the snowshoes, happens to me every single time. The drone is great but def takes some practice, perfect weather and actually finding somewhere in Colorado where it’s legal which is all tough.
Really great views up there did the east ridge hike up Elbert for the first time last summer and the 4 miles to the summit was kick ass even with out any post holing would not want to have to do that hike with post holing frustrations. Had no idea there would be so many people doing Elbert in the winter may try it someday with snow shoes the views really were spectacular looking, you get a good look at the Leadville area from up there.
Its def a solid 14er hike as far as winter ones go, postholing aside.
14 miles RT and 6k gain...that's a full day...burly hike..keep up the good work...really liked the drone in the Aspen grove...very cool perspective...love to see that in the fall.....PEACE!
Especially for being out of shape, it kicked my ass but beautiful weather which helped out a lot. Thought the exact same thing about the aspen grove, hoping to hit that portion of the Colorado Trail in the fall.
Nice. I need to visit Colorado. Thanks for sharing. just subscribed looking forward to more Colorado. epic beard :)
Thanks appreciate the sub and beard love!
Hiked this last Friday for my 9th 14er. trail conditions were super nice, still needed gaiters and snowshoes once the snow softened in later afternoon. one of the most straightforward 14er routes I’ve done but under the tree line you’ll be postholing all day on the way back down from the summit if you don’t get there early enough 😬😬
Thanks for sharing, Justin! Yeah, as you can tell by the video, we had some issues with post-holing as well haha
I'm going tomorrow!!
Hiked this trail in late June 2020. Approached from the north, fro the Mt Elbert campground/trailhead. Late start. Weather was pretty good. trail was dry, streams were running but calm and well within banks. We did get sprinkled on in late afternoon and hailed on a bit at one point, but it was a soft hail. The biggest caution: MOSQUITOES. If you go in summer, protect yourself from bugs. I have never been harassed by skeeters in CO before, but at Elbert, we ran into them at 11000ft and they followed us all the way up and all the way back down to 11000ft. Oddly, there were none below 11000.
Super video,,, the drone puts you up above the rest. Please do all the 14's again with the drone. Pretty Please.
Rimfire Jones thanks, appreciate it. Have a bunch of 14ers on my list for the future but unfortunately not all allow drones.
Tried this today and it kicked my butt. Conditions were pretty good. Snow on trail was packed and after the treeline it was windblown
Thinking about doing this tomorrow, do you think there is still a ton of snow like this?
Where did you get your sunglasses, Mikey? Don’t seem them on your inventory list. Cheers.
the starting point is from `South Mount Elbert Trailhead, Colorado` or `Mt. Elbert East Ridge Trailhead`? looks like there is road 125B pass `South Mount Elbert Trailhead, Colorado` to `Mt. Elbert East Ridge Trailhead`.
Hiked that trail on Sept. 11, 2001. Ask me how I remember the date. A double IPA torpedo is a good choice for summit refreshment!
Hey I was planning a trip late may I’ll have a couple inexperienced hikers with me do you think this will be doable
Oh Elbert took me 3 attempts in January of 2018. The post holing was horrendous. I just did Ellingwood Point 2 days ago and uploaded a video on my channel. Come check it out Virtual Sherpa!
Man it must be cold up there. It's nice here in Denver.
It was surprisingly seasonal for February, felt more like late March/April!
Went up this week and there was no snow on the trail at all
Planning on doing this hike this weekend. I’m assuming I can just drive up 125B and just pull off to the side of the road to camp Saturday night and hike up Sunday morning! Correct?
can I hike this trail in early December? is it going to have snow heavily covered from the trail head?
You started by twin lakes? Any recommendations on prep items.
What is the best time of year to hike Mt. Elbert? I enjoy hiking in all seasons, but am looking for the months of the year with the best chance for success on a mountain like Elbert. Thanks.
September/early October
Has anyone hiked elbert in May & could tell me what the conditions were like when they went??
Probably somewhat similar to what you see here depending on how much snow we get. Depending on the time in May you might be able to get to the Upper TH I show in the video OR hike the alternative route on Mt Elbert. Expect lots of snow still though. Its best to check 14ers.com for the most updated trail conditions before you head out for the hike.
I was just there a month ago. Got lost broke trail, didn’t even make it past tree line. At the trail head, did you turn right or go straight?
Upper TH? ➡️
@@TheVirtualSherpa
So you didn’t continue down 125B?
One more question, I am thinking about hiking it again during the end of January. How hard is it during that time?
Will be very similar to our experience in the video and be sure to check the avalanche forecast through CAIC before heading out our snowpack is very dangerous this year 👍🏽
Gotta luv when they say well traveled.....but only well traveled with xc-skis or snowshoes....and my ass is post-holing up to my waist. Cheers m8
When does the 4wd trailhead close/be inaccessible by vehicle?
Changes every year - usually mid November / early December is a safe bet but it entirely depends on the season.
@@TheVirtualSherpa makes sense, thanks!
Do you need crampons?
Usually not - but microspikes are extremely helpful