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Mount Elbert South Trail - 3 members in 6 triplogs have rated this an average 4.7 ( 1 to 5 best )
6 triplogs
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Jul 12 2022
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 Routes 154
 Photos 1,505
 Triplogs 266

31 male
 Joined Jun 02 2019
 Phoenix, AZ
Mount Elbert Loop, CO 
Mount Elbert Loop, CO
 
Hiking avatar Jul 12 2022
LJWTriplogs 266
Hiking16.52 Miles 5,404 AEG
Hiking16.52 Miles   7 Hrs   32 Mns   2.63 mph
5,404 ft AEG   1 Hour   15 Mns Break
 
1st trip
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Spent a week in Breckenridge last summer, so naturally Elbert was top of mind. Topped all the Four Corners except King's now. Wanted to make a morning of it, and since I didn't know when I'd be back around CO, I wanted to loop at least parts of all three summit trails. I used the CDT to loop back around below the mountain.

Took the standard route up for timing's sake, and after some time at the summit with a couple other people, headed down the ridge on Black Cloud. It was faint but the ridge is easy to walk without it. Best views of the day were of La Plata Peak before heading down.

Dropped down east where Black Cloud descends south. To this point more than a few marmots and pika. Entered the big cirque of small lakes. The going was surprisingly brushy. Some snow left over.

Climbed up to the South Trail on a southeastern ridge. Switchbacked down on the very nicely maintained and meadowy trail. Passed more than a few people headed up as the skies darkened.

Evntually it intersected with what the sign calls Colorado Trail no. 1776. It's a stretch of CDT that I took from the Lilly Pond area by Twin Lakes back to Elbert TH. Thunder and rain on the way, but I passed plenty of people who must have been real high on the mountain.
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Wildflowers Observation Light
 
Jul 11 2021
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 Guides 4
 Routes 27
 Photos 4,621
 Triplogs 975

56 male
 Joined Aug 23 2005
 Pike National Fo
Mount Elbert South TrailSouth Central, CO
South Central, CO
Hiking avatar Jul 11 2021
sneakySASQUATCHTriplogs 975
Hiking14.59 Miles 4,727 AEG
Hiking14.59 Miles   4 Hrs   42 Mns   3.10 mph
4,727 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Impromptu no research hike of Mt. Elbert south route while paddle boarding at Twin Lakes. Made a rare campground stay at Lakeview campground for access to Twin Lakes. They have closed several of dispersed sites by campground because of idiots. There is dispersed along the road to south route and just past campground, but distance and access to Lakes is limited. After filling up and breaking down paddle boards and hiking a mile each way on Colorado trail to and from camp everyday I decided I was close enough I might as well do Elbert. Campground is below lower trailhead. Kids and wife were happy to sleep in and I opted for early start. Drank my coffee while linking Colorado trail to 4x4 road walk which saved a mile to the upper Elbert trailhead. The road was actually the roughest part of the trail with a pretty high water crossing and I managed to only get the feet semi wet at 40 degrees.The upper trailhead says 3.9 to summit which is Bull Pumpkin. After doing hike I looked and most info says 10-11 miles out and back I made a wrong turn ending up at Lily Pads whatever that is and probably added a mile. The road added about 700’ elevation gain to the hike surprisingly. Saw no one on the trail which is in surprisingly good shape. 4 people on summit when I got there all from North Route. Had to add layers above the tree line as it was windy and below freezing. Spent a couple minutes at the summit and headed down. Great sunrise with all the smoke in the area could have done w/ our breathing the smoke. Surprised how fast I did it as I’ve been running more than hiking lately. I expected at least 6 hours and apparently my wife did as well because she promised eggs and bacon breakfast. In fact the family was still sleeping when I got back at 8 something am. Humming bird joined me in the awning room and was surprisingly difficult to get out. Stretched out the legs in the afternoon hiking one of the paddle boards down and back to camp.
Side note: Trail is in great condition and appears to have been re routed in several spots. Sign at trailhead is old so I think probably the difference in distance is due to significant routing changes.
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  HAZ - Selfie
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Mount Elbert
 Meteorology
 Meteorology [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Sunrise
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  3 archives
Jun 07 2014
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 Routes 297
 Photos 6,928
 Triplogs 552

49 male
 Joined Dec 30 2007
 Avondale,Az
Mount Elbert South TrailSouth Central, CO
South Central, CO
Hiking avatar Jun 07 2014
StoicTriplogs 552
Hiking8.57 Miles 4,060 AEG
Hiking8.57 Miles   7 Hrs   20 Mns   1.35 mph
4,060 ft AEG   1 Hour    Break30 LBS Pack
 
1st trip
Partners none no partners
Day 6 of 7
Mount Elbert South Trail

Weather was perfect for this hike. Very little wind at the top. It was hard to follow the trail, with all the snow. rvcarter route helped me stay close to the actual trail. I did carry a heavier pack than normal. I didnt have the best breakfast, so I packed a small grill for a nice lunch at the top.
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Mule Deer
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Sep 29 2013
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 Photos 832
 Triplogs 173

47 female
 Joined Oct 13 2007
 Loveland, CO
Mount Elbert South TrailSouth Central, CO
South Central, CO
Hiking avatar Sep 29 2013
hhwolf14Triplogs 173
Hiking11.40 Miles 4,850 AEG
Hiking11.40 Miles
4,850 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Beautiful now with Aspens starting to peak and a nice dusting of snow on surroundings peaks. A little icy and slushy in places, but nothing requiring technical gear.
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Old Glory
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Autumn Foliage Observation Substantial
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Sep 05 2010
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 Triplogs 15

47 male
 Joined Dec 31 2009
 Phoenix, AZ
Mount Elbert South TrailSouth Central, CO
South Central, CO
Hiking avatar Sep 05 2010
mynameisburnsyTriplogs 15
Hiking9.00 Miles 4,950 AEG
Hiking9.00 Miles   7 Hrs   15 Mns   1.24 mph
4,950 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
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Jun 27 2008
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 Photos 80
 Triplogs 46

45 male
 Joined Jan 27 2011
 Arizona
Mount Elbert South TrailSouth Central, CO
South Central, CO
Hiking avatar Jun 27 2008
jaboneagarTriplogs 46
Hiking13.00 Miles 4,950 AEG
Hiking13.00 Miles   8 Hrs   25 Mns   1.54 mph
4,950 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Up from AZ to hike this one with my brother. Got a little altitude buzzed and scared myself. Great view of Mt Massive and turquoise lake.
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Wildflowers Observation Light
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Jabon Eagar
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http://www.jaboneagar.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jabon-Eag ... 270?ref=hl
 
average hiking speed 1.69 mph

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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