Mt Elbert Winter 14er Hike Trail Guide
A Mt Elbert Winter Hike is one of the most popular 14ers during the snowy months in Colorado. Mt Elbert is the highest peak in Colorado and is one of the most popular 14ers during summer months. In the winter, the East Ridge route is a nice way to summit the mountain as it presents almost no avalanche risk, provides decent trailhead access and has only Class 1 terrain along the way. A Mt Elbert Winter hike is suitable for those looking to gain winter experience with relatively low risk, but is not recommended for beginner hikers.
Mt Elbert Winter Quick Facts
Virtual Trail Guide: Mt Elbert Winter Hike – East Ridge
Mt Elbert Winter Hike Rating: ★★★★ (⅘ Stars)
Distance: 12.3 Miles RT (subtract 3-4 miles RT if starting at 4WD TH)
Elevation Start: 9,450 ft
Highest Point:14,433 ft
Total Elevation Gain: 5,200 ft (subtract about 800ft if starting at 4WD TH)
Estimated Time to Complete: 8-10 Hours RT
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult Difficulty System Explained
Class: Class 1 What does this mean?
Snow Grade: Minimum steepness & little to no exposure
Season: Year Round – Expect snow November – June
Directions to Mt Elbert Winter Route
Trailhead: South Elbert
Getting Here: From US 24, head to the Colorado 82 junction and drive towards Twin Lakes. Drive for about 4 miles and turn right onto road 24 (yes it’s actually called that). Drive for about a mile and reach the signed TH on your left. If you are able to continue up towards the upper TH (not likely), drive past the small parking lot and turn left onto Forest Road 125.1B – its another 2 miles to the upper TH from here.
Fees: There is no fee to park at the South Elbert trailhead.
Parking: Parking at the South Elbert Trailhead is EXTREMELY limited. The lot can fill about 10-15 cars and will fill up on most weekends with nice weather during the winter. Be sure to arrive early as there is no alternative to parking in the small lot. There are no bathrooms at the South Elbert TH, but nearby Twin Lakes recreation area does have a handful that are open year round.
Summary
Mt Elbert Winter Camping: Winter camping near the TH is certainly an option or along the trail up to the 4WD TH. However, be sure to prepare accordingly as deep snow will be in the area until May/June during most years.
Dogs: Mt Elbert Winter hike via the East Ridge is dog friendly, but please use extreme caution when deciding to bring a dog on this hike. This is not a summer hike, there is deep snow, avalanche risk and frigid temperatures. If your dog is not used to hours of hiking in winter weather, please leave them at home.
Make it a Loop: Mt Elbert Winter Winter Hike is an out and back hike with little alternatives in the area unless you have a snowmobile/skis or a desire to trudge through very deep snow.
Trail X Factors: Trail Finding & Snow Levels
With any winter hike in Colorado, the two biggest X factors are trail finding and snow quality/amount/depth. For the Mt Elbert Winter hike, trail finding is usually not an issue because of how many people frequent the hike. However, after a storm, don’t be surprised if you are not able to locate the trail and have to do some serious trail breaking/bootpacking. In terms of snow, this route is not typically prone to avalanche risk but can still present a number of challenges. Even with snowshoes/skins on, you may find yourself sinking into the snow for several miles.
Hike Tip(s): For a number of reasons, you want to get an early start on the Mt Elbert Winter hike. The lot is very small and can fill up, snow will soften up (even on cold days) under the warming sun and winter offers limited daylight vs summer. In addition, the most important thing about winter hiking is to be prepared for everything. Unlike the summer where being unprepared can be more of a nuisance, being under prepared for a winter hike can lead to serious injuries/death and the inability to summit a peak. For example: we left our snowshoes in the car like a bunch of morons and had to deal with thigh deep post-holing that would have been mostly avoidable if we had just brought the damn things. You can always stash gear you don’t need.
Best Views: On a clear day, the views on the Mt Elbert Winter hike are unbelievable. Once you leave treeline, views of the Twin Lakes and nearby Collegiate Peaks immediately become available. Once you get closer to the summit, The Gore Range, Front Range, Sangre De Cristo Range, Pikes Peak come into view as well. From the summit, a clear day can offer 360 degree snow covered peaks with mountains in the Elk Range and San Juan range sometimes available. The Collegiate Peaks are usually my least favorite range to look at, but in the winter they are absolutely amazing.
Mt Elbert Winter Trail Route
Gear Needed
- 14er Day Hike Packing List
- La Sportiva Trango Hiking Boots (Men’s)
- La Sportiva Trango Hiking Booths (Women’s)
- La Sportiva Mountaineering Boots
- Backpack
- Food & Water
- Microspikes
- Gaiters
- Optional: Mountain Axe
- Optional: Ski or Snowboard
- Optional: Probe, Beacon, Shovel
- Optional: Crampons
- Optional: Crampon Bag
- Optional: Garmin inReach
- Optional: Hiking Poles
- Optional: Headlamp
- Optional: Garmin Fenix Watch
- Optional: Avalanche Gear: Beacon, Probe, Shovel
- Optional: Snowshoes
- Optional: Camera and Lens
- Optional: GoPro, Joby Tripod
- *Links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you.
My Trip to Mt Elbert in the Winter: March 2020
The winter of 2020 was brutal in February so when March rolled in with beautiful weather, my friend Rick and I decided to get our fat asses back into shape and hike Mt Elbert via the East Ridge. Check out some pictures of our trip below and watch a full recap on YouTube below.
Mt Elbert Winter Route Virtual Trail Guide
Questions or comments about the hike to Mt Elbert Winter Hike via the East Ridge? Leave a comment below or follow me on Instagram!
22 thoughts on “Mt Elbert Winter 14er Hike Trail Guide”
I plan on going to mt elbert next March with my daughter, why do you not recommend it for beginners? I’ve watched several videos on it and it seems relatively safe
Hey Joe,
If you hike the east ridge that this page covers, it is relatively free of avalanche risk, but always something to be aware of, even in March. I wouldn’t recommend this for beginners because any hike with snow is (in my opinion) 5x harder, especially if you are not prepared with the right gear, clothing etc. Extra mileage, more unpredictable weather, extra effort required to deal with the snow are just some of the factors. Obviously not impossible for hikers up for a challenge, just want people to know what to expect and prepare accordingly.
Thank you so much for responding, I really love all of your content, I plan on being well prepared physically and equipment wise. I plan on following your layout for hiking in the snow, just nervous about getting lost. I’m also interested in mt Whitney and mt hood, have you climbed those yet? I would love to see your videos of those mountains.
Not yet, was supposed to do Hood last year but Covid changed the plans, both are on the list though.
Hi Mickey,
My partner and I are planning on hiking Mt Elbert soon around 5/24 of this year, but I was wondering which Class 1 route we should take? I tried to do as much research as I could, but I had a hard time finding any useful comparisons between the East Ridge Trail versus the North Ridge Trail. Is there any significant difference? We will be traveling south down Route 24 and was thinking of doing the North Ride Trail if there is not a significant difference and if the conditions will be about the same. We will also be taking a 2WD vehicle so we understand we can only get so close to either trailhead before we have to stop and make our way on foot.
Hey Mitchell,
The main difference between the two routes is your starting point – the standard North Ridge trail has a bit more of a drive to the TH which makes winter/spring access tough sometimes. I haven’t been there in a while so not sure what the snow looks like, but the safer bet would be the East Ridge Trail. In reality, once you get above treeline, the experience is almost identical from route to route. With a 2WD vehicle the East Ridge may add a few miles of hiking to get to the upper TH, but its road walking so you should knock it out no problem. Best of luck and enjoy the hike!
Thank you very much for the info!
That’s the best explanation I’ve heard so I appreciate it a lot. We hope to enjoy the hike as well =)
Hi Mickey,
That was wonderful writeup with complete information.
I am planning to hike Mt. elbert during 1st or 2nd week of December. Have experience hiking Guadalupe Peak, TX and Wheeler Peak, NM. Wheller peak had a foot of snow, but I did it with normal gear.
With appropriate gear as you have mentioned, I would like to attempt Mt. Elbert. Appreciate your suggestions.
I am also looking for a hiking partner or group to tag along, haven’t been lucky so far.
You should be okay – just prepare for snow (snowshoes, gaiters, spikes) and if you don’t need that gear – great. Bring lots of layers and be sure to hike this one a good weather day. Overall though, you should be fine and just know if/when to turn around if need be. Early December is usually okay though as snow levels are typically fairly low. Best of luck
Thanks Mickey. I look forward to hike this one.
My daughter and I are desperately hoping to climb Mt Elbert in late February to celebrate my birthday. We have done quite a bit of research and purchasing of equipment. We are not experienced hikers but we do workout at our gym 4-5 days a week and have done quite a few runs.
Anyway… we will plan to turn around if we need to, but soooooo want to do it! Any advice?
Hi! I am planning to hike this Friday, May 6th. Do you recommend the East Ridge route? Is it safe in May?
Do you think the trail would be easy enough to follow?
Thanks!
100% East Ridge – the main trail likely isn’t accessible still with snow levels.
Avi worries shouldn’t be a concern but always good to check forecast on CAIC just to be aware.
I am wanting to climb Mt Elbert in early August this year. I have a 2 WD camper van and would like to drive to trail head with shortest / easy hike.
will be my first 14. I am a Alabama guy planning a road trip. Decent shape I mountain bike weekly.
Thanks
Hey Richard,
For your first 14er, Mt Elbert might be a bit ambitious but from a TH standpoint I would take the route I describe here. Lots of spots to camp along the road and from what I have seen lately, its not super rough so 2WD should be fine. Be sure to check weather and this video might also be of use to you: https://youtu.be/OnvM6ezowOw
Good luck
thanks
Hi Mickey! I’m planning on doing the east ridge trail tomorrow. Just wondering why you took the car route for the first miles instead of going down the stairs (as the trail suggested by all trails: Mount Elbert East Ridge Trail on AllTrails
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/mount-elbert-east-ridge-trail )
Many thanks in advance! Also thanks for your videos!! They’re very informative and inspiring 🙂
All the best,
Hey Paz,
I am not familiar with what AT is referring to and don’t usually trust their beta. However, with the Colorado Trail in the area, there are a few variations to make the approach but the one that we took was the most direct. With winter conditions, its usually following the path of least resistance to ensure you are traveling through safe areas and the most tracked out through the snow. Hope your hike goes well today.
Hi Micky, do you have the gpx file for your trail? We are planning to climb next week (weather dependent) and plan to camp around where the tree line ends on the first day and hike the summit on the second day.
Updated with GPX
I’m planning on doing Elbert November 21st it is my first 14er but i am in great physical shape and I’ll have a day to accustom to elevation. What route do you think I should take I have 4wd. And what do you expect the snow to be like. Love the content thank you!
https://www.patreon.com/thevirtualsherpa 🤘