Mount Elbert Loop

The Mount Elbert Loop begins and ends at the North Elbert Trailhead (~10,080') adjacent to Elbert Creek Campground, off Halfmoon Creek Road (FR 110), reached via US Highway 24 south from Leadville 3 miles, then Colorado 300 west 0.75 miles, then Lake County Road 11 south to Halfmoon Creek Road. From the trailhead, follow the Colorado Trail (#1776) south through spruce-fir forest. At 0.8 miles, turn right onto the North Mount Elbert Trail (#1484). The trail climbs northwest through forest and above timberline on the Northeast Ridge, passing three gradual false summits before the broad summit plateau. Reach the summit of Mount Elbert at approximately 5.1 miles. From the summit, descend east on the East Ridge Trail. The East Ridge drops steeply from the plateau onto a long descending ridgeline before entering forest and reaching the intersection of the Colorado Trail at approximately 10 miles. From the intersection, the Colorado Trail connector closes the route northwest approximately 4.3 miles along the valley corridor back to the MT Elbert Trailhead. Begin no later than 6 AM in summer — afternoon thunderstorms above 13,000' develop rapidly and the East Ridge descent is fully exposed.