San Isabel National Forest
Mt. Elbert

At 14,433', Mt. Elbert is the highest peak in Colorado. In the lower 48 states, only Mt. Whitney in California is higher. The most popular route on Elbert is the Northeast Ridge Route, beginning from the North Mount Elbert Trailhead.

Elevations:

• Trail beginning: 10,050'
• High Point: 14,433'
• Trail ending: 14,433'

Access: From downtown Leadville, go 3.6 miles south on US 24 and turn west on Colorado 300. At 0.7 miles, turn south on Lake County Road 11 and go another 1.1 miles to the turn southwest for Halfmoon Creek. The San Isabel National Forest boundary is another 2.1 miles, Halfmoon Campground at 3.8 miles, Elbert Creek Campground at 4.9 miles and the North Mt. Elbert Trailhead at 5.1 miles (about 0.1 miles east of the Mount Massive Trailhead), on the south side of the road.

Notes: From the trailhead, you're going to go southeast about 0.3 miles to Elbert Creek, cross the creek and then follow the Colorado Trail south for a mile. At about 10,560', just before the trail crosses Box Creek, turn onto a newly built trail heading west. This trail will switchback up the hill for another mile to reach treeline near 12,000'. Then follow the trail up Elbert's northeast ridge to the summit. Round trip from the trailhead to summit: about 9 miles.

Just west of Mt. Elbert is French Mountain (13,940'), "Frasco Benchmark" (13,876') and Casco Peak (13,908'), three more of Colorado's 100 highest mountain peaks.

USGS Maps: Mt. Massive, Mt. Elbert