Colorado 14ers, Everything you need to know about Hiking Mt Elbert

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Not gonna lie the first time I heard about people waking up at 4am to hike mountains greater than 14,000 feet (4267 meters), I thought they were crazy and it wasn’t something that I would ever even consider doing. However, as I spent more time living in Colorado and hearing about 14ers I became intrigued and decided to hike one. With Elbert being my second 14er it was also one of the hardest hikes I’ve done, yet very rewarding when you make it to the summit. What I liked most about this hike is the variety of terrain and views you get, along with a designated trail all the way to the summit.

Mt Elbert is the highest peak in Colorado and the second highest in the lower 48 of the United States, standing at 14,443 feet (4,402 meters). The first being Mt Whitney in California, which stands at 14,505 feet (4,421 meters). If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to hike a mountain this tall this guide is for you. With that being said, in this post I’ll go over where Elbert is located, how to get there, what the hike is like, what to know, and preparation/packing tips. Alright lets goo.

Where is Mt Elbert and how many routes are there to the Peak

Elbert is located right on Twin Lakes just outside of Leadville Colorado. No matter where you’re driving from you end up on CO 82 that takes you through Twin Lakes and Ultimately Aspen if you were to keep driving. There’s three different routes, but after reading reviews on All Trails it was clear that the East Ridge Route was the better trail to take. Below, I’ve listed times and distances from major areas to the South Mount Trailhead. You’ll need AWD with High Clearance if you want to park at the East Ridge Trailhead. I recommend parking in the South Mount lot and then hiking to the East Ridge trailhead.

Denver- 2 hours 15 minutes/115 miles/185 km (If I70W is congested take 285 South)

Summit County- 1 hour and 15 min/53 miles/85 km

Leadville- 25 min/22 miles/35 km

Aspen- 1 hour and 15 min/39 miles/63 km

Vail- 1 hour and 8 min/63 miles/101 km

Trail Stats

As mentioned, there’s three main routes that will take you to the peak of Elbert, each w/ different mileage for the hike. These routes are the East Ridge, Southeast, and North Mount Trails. Not only did the East Ridge route get great reviews on All Trails, but it also seemed to have better parking. For the Southeast route there isn’t really a designated parking lot and the North Mount trailhead will be North of Twin Lakes on the other side of Elbert. Reviews on Alltrails also does a great job of giving you an idea of what each route will be like. Below I’ve listed stats for each trail to the summit.

North Mount

Trail type- Out and Back

Length- 10.4 Miles (17 km)

Elevation Gain- 4,468 feet (1,362 meters)

East Ridge

Trail type- Out and Back with a loop towards the beginning/end of the hike

Length- 14.7 miles (24 km)

Elevation Gain- 4,895 feet (1492 meters)

South East Ridge

Trail type- Out and Back

Length- 11 miles (18 km)

Elevation Gain- 5,111 feet (1558 meters)

What is parking like

There are parking lots for the North Mount, South Mount, and East Ridge trail head starting points. As mentioned earlier the East Ridge Trailhead requires AWD and High Clearance and will be a dirt lot while the North Mount and South Mount lots are paved. Starting the hike at the South Mount Trailhead will eventually lead you to the East Ridge Trailhead (somewhat confusing, but will make sense if you do this hike)The Southeast Ridge Trailhead is somewhat off the beaten path and doesn’t really have designated parking.

On weekdays these lots won’t fill up too much, however on weekends when the weather is good, I can imagine them filling up. The earlier you get to the parking lot the better!

Is the hike Difficult

The short answer is Yes, this is a pretty difficult hike, especially towards the very top where this isn’t much oxygen, but a lot of elevation gain. Before you hike Elbert I would recommend doing some easier hikes in Colorado with less mileage and elevation gain. Also make sure to pack enough water and take breaks when needed. Listen to your body and don’t over due it!

Best time of year to hike this trail

Because of how long winters are in Colorado the Best time to hike this 14er would be late May to Late September, weather dependent. Snow can sometimes still cover trails as late as mid-late May. Although it melts pretty quickly, I’ve still seen it snow over a foot in May a number of times.

The best time of day to hike this trail is EARLY. Due to the fact that thunderstorms can pop up in the afternoon you typically want to reach the summit by noon. I would try to get to the trailhead by 5am and no later then 7am. Depending on which route you take, the East Ridge route takes about 9.5 hours round trip meaning you have to start hiking as early as possible.

Trail Details and what we should Expect

What I really like about this trail is the variety of terrain it had to offer throughout the hike. If you park in the South Mount Trailhead lot you’ll start the hike on a narrow trail that ends up taking you through some Aspen Trees. During a sunrise when the light starts to peak through the trees it’s pretty cool. The beginning part of this trail is also part of the Bartlett Gulch Loop trail.

Once you Hike through the Aspens you’ll eventually reach the East Ridge Trailhead with a parking lot. This is really the start of the trailhead and you’ll start to walk through Alpine forests at this point. As you start hiking you’ll want to stay on the S. MT. Elbert TR. No 1481. You’ll also notice on the sign -> Lily Ponds. This is a cool little detour spot to take a break if needed. It’s a tiny pond with some man made areas to sit. I checked it out on the descent back down.

As you start to hike from the East Ridge Trailhead you’ll continue to walk through the woods for a little longer, coming across a stream or two along the way. The elevation gain starts to pick up at this point and you’ll pop out of the trees with amazing views of Twin Lakes down below. By this point your getting closer to getting above tree line which is a little over 4 miles into the hike and 11,800 feet elevation. Don’t worry about getting lost because the trail is well marked.

As you start to get above tree line you will encounter a number of switch backs until you reach the peak. This is honestly when the hike was the most challenging, but if you take breaks and go at a pace that you’re comfortable with the hike is doable. As you get to the top you might even encounter snow, even in July.

Once you make it to the top, congrats you’ve hiked all the way to 14,439 feet or 4,401 meters. Grab some photos at the top and take in the amazing views of the Sawatch mountain range. There’s a chance that weather can roll in right around the time you reach the summit, make your own judgement call, but I wouldn’t hang out for too long at the summit if that is the case.

On the way back towards the end of the hike I took the service road instead of the trail because it will be a faster way to get to your car since the hike is pretty long.

Are there any False Summits

I didn’t experience any on the East Ridge Trail, but I read that there are a couple on the North Mount trail. If you’re like me and aren’t the best at reading maps downloading an app like All Trails will be helpful in preventing you from going off trail or taking a wrong turn. Bad cell service?, download the trail on your phone ahead of time to navigate the hike when needed.

Is there camping nearby

Yep, there is some awesome campgrounds either right on the lake or close to the Lake. The closet campground to the South Mount trailhead is the Lakeview Campground. There’s also BLM camping close to the trailhead. Other campgrounds in the area include White Start and Dexter Point. You can visit recreation.gov to make a reservation in advance. Weekends tend to book out pretty early and weekdays are a little more open.

Not into camping? There is also lodging nearby that you can book through VRBO.

Is this a crowded trail

Depending on the time of year and what day of the week you go, I would say weekdays aren’t very crowded. I only saw a handful of people as I made my way to the Summit and almost no one on the hike down. That being said 14ers continue to grow in popularity each year, so I would arrive to the parking lot as early as possible. The Southeast Ridge route is an alternative route if you don’t want to deal with more people while hiking. Keep in mind that there isn’t really a parking lot for this trailhead.

Do you need a permit

You do not need a permit to hike Elbert or a parking pass

Any recommended websites to check the weather forecast ahead of time

Noaa or Mountain Forecast are great online resources to check weather ahead of time when going on hikes or doing anything outdoors.

What Class 14er is Elbert

Elbert is considered class 1, meaning it has a designated trail all the way to summit. The class system (1-5) goes from a Hiking trail to scrambling (using hands to navigate up boulders) to technical climbing.

Any Downsides to this hike

The only downside I experienced was the number of switchbacks towards the summit. Other then that amazing views, not many people on the trail, easy to access parking, and plenty of camping options in the area.

What are the best tips for hiking a 14er

• Start with smaller hikes first that have less mileage and lower elevation gain, use All Trails to look for local hikes in your area or your destination of choice

• Pack enough water, but not too much that the weight is overbearing while hiking. I use a Hydroflask as well as a Hydrapak when hiking 14ers.

• Start hiking EARLY. Waking up at 3:30am isn’t ideal, but ALWAYS worth it. Plus, weather can roll in at any moment in the afternoon so you want to reach the summit as early as possible.

• Pack Snacks that will give you fuel while you hike

• Make sure to pack a rain jacket, extra layer, and hiking pants or shorts for when the weather changes

• I don’t own a pair of hiking poles, but I would highly recommend using these as they are an added bonus

• Only use a good pair of hiking boots with great traction and support

• Go at your own pace, not only will you enjoy the hike more, but your body will thank you later

• Pack out what you packed in by not leaving any trash or waste behind

• Have fun and be ready to push yourself physically and mentally!

That’s it for for hiking Elbert, if you have any information to add or have questions, leave a comment below! If you’re looking for to grab some food after your hike (You’ll probably be hungry), a restaurant in the Twin Lakes Inn. If you liked the blog post subscribe to our email list below for more outdoor adventure info.

Looking for other hikes to do in the Twin Lakes area, check out A complete guide to the Interlaken Trail. Thanks for reading and I’ll see you on the next post!

Twin Lakes Colorado, A Complete Guide to the Interlaken Trail

Disclosure: When you buy something through the Affiliate product links I have created below, I earn a small commission. I only promote products and companies I support as well as believe in.

Alright so you’re in Colorado and are looking for a cool historic hike to do. Well, the one unique thing about Colorado other then the amazing outdoor recreation is the historic background a lot of the small towns have. One of these small towns (about as small as a town can be), Twin Lakes, has a handful of cool hikes to do. One of these hikes happens to be the Interlaken trail, an area that was built in the late 1800’s for more affluent people looking to vacation and get away.

What I like about this trail is it’s right on the lake and doesn't have much elevation gain. Perfect for families with kids along with anyone else who are looking to spend time outside, but don’t want to do a strenuous hike. In this post I’ll be going over how to get to the trail, what to pack, what trail is like, and what to expect. Cool lets gooo

What is the story Behind Interlaken

James Stanley was the man who built the Twin Lakes Resort, after seeing possibilities of the growing Lake County area. In 1883 he sold the resort to James Dexter who then renamed it Interlaken. Guests would take a train to a town five miles east of the resort and then travel the remaining way by a wagon. In the winter, horse driven sleighs took guests across the frozen lake.

Summertime at Interlaken included playing cards, shooting pool, hiking, riding horses, and relaxing. In the winter people went skiing, ice skating, and even sleigh riding. Eventually with a dam being built and lake levels rising, the bridge to the resort became partially flooded and In 1899 Dexter died, along with the resort.

The only resurrection of the resort was during World War I, when the area was turned into boardinghouse. By the mid 1970’s, Interlaken was restored to be enjoyed as a Historical Site, which is what you see today.

How do I get to the Trailhead

Twin Lakes will be in between Leadville and Aspen with the Trailhead located right before the start of the lake. There are a few ways to get to CO Highway 82, which is the highway the lake is located off of. From Highway 82, you’ll then turn onto county road 25, a dirt road that gets rockier towards the trailhead. I recommend having a vehicle with all wheel drive because of the rocks. If you don’t have AWD there’s the parking lot on the right when your first driving on county road 25. The trailhead is walkable from the first parking lot. Finding the trailhead on this road can be a little confusing, but if you keep going straight, the road eventually veers right, around a corner and you’ll see the parking lot from a distance

The parking lot is pretty big and practically empty midweek and you’ll also notice BLM campsites dispersed all around when driving to the trailhead. Below, I’ve listed times and distances from major areas.

Denver- 2 hours and 15 min/117.5 miles/189 km

Summit County- 1 hour and 15 min/55.5 miles/89 km

Leadville- 27 min/22 miles/35.5 km

Aspen- 1 hour and 15 min/39 miles/63 km

Vail- 1 hour and 8 min/60 miles/95.5 km

Trail Details

A great way to navigate hiking trails such as Interlaken is by using AllTrails. They’ll have trail reviews, info, and a way to navigate the trail if you get lost. Just make sure to download the trail ahead of time!

Trailhead Coordinates: 39.074280, -106.310420

Trail Type: Out and Back

Distance: 4.6 Miles/7.5 km

Elevation Gain: 213 feet/65 meters

Dogs: Are allowed

Trail Time: Depending on speed and how long you stay at Interlaken, 1.5-3 hours

When is the best time to hike this trail

The best time to to hike this trail would be Late May to early October, due to weather and snowfall. Midweek will be a lot less crowded and because Colorado tends to get thunderstorms popping up in the afternoon, I would recommend hiking this trail in the morning.

What is the Trail like and what should we expect

The trail is pretty flat overall with not too much elevation gain making it a fairly easy hike. You’ll get a mix of hiking through trees and lake views to the right most of the way. If you want to stop for a break there’s a couple areas where you can walk down to the lake and hang out. The Sawatch Mountain range can be seen off in the distance, with the second highest peak in North America being Mt Elbert.

Three quarters of the way through the hike, you will come across Aspen Trees, depending on rainfall and time of year, this area is pretty green. It’s a perfect part of the trail if you are into photography.

Once you approach Interlaken there’s a great porch at the main house to take a break and eat lunch (pack a lunch or snacks for this hike). Interlaken is a cool area to just walk around and check out the historical buildings. Each area will have information that you can read surrounding the story of the resort, pretty cool stuff to be honest.

The main house, that was home to James Dexter, is open to the public to walk around in. There’s a book you can sign and also an upstairs to check out. Porch views overlook the lake and surrounding mountains, making it a great place to hang out while you eat something. After checking out the Dexter home, there will be a trail that leads you to the other buildings, including the Interlaken Hotel. These buildings have been long abandoned, but still remain intact allowing you to picture what life use to be like.

Is there another way to get to Interlaken without hiking the trail

Yep, you can rent a Kayak or canoe from Johnny Canoe right on the lake or you can do an Interlaken Boat Tour. To make a reservation visit Twin Lakes Boat Tours website. Johnny Canoe will be near the White Star Campground and there is day parking for a small fee. If you have a paid campsite just use your campsite parking pass and parking will be free.

One thing to keep in mind is if it’s really windy chances are you won’t be able to get out on the lake with a rental kayak, canoe, or SUP for safety reasons.

Best tips for hiking this trail

• Check the weather before hand and make sure to pack a rain jacket. Thunderstorms can pop up in the afternoon, so the earlier you get to the trailhead the better. It also doesn’t hurt to pack an extra layer in case temps drop.

• All wheel drive or 4 wheel drive will help when driving to the trailhead. If you don’t have AWD there will be a parking lot to your right when driving on county road 25 and you’ll have to walk a little further to the trailhead.

• Bring a lunch or snacks for when you reach Interlaken. There’s a few good areas to sit and hang out with views of the lake.

• Also make sure to pack a water bottle for the trek.

• Pack out what you pack in. Meaning don’t leave any trash or waste behind on the trail.

• Don’t feed any wildlife and keep your distance! Colorado is home to moose, bears, foxes, deer and more. Please be courteous.

• There are no restrooms at the trailhead so make sure to go before hand.

• The sun in Colorado can be intense because you are at a high elevation. Apply sunscreen before you start your hike. This includes lip balm. A hat will also be beneficial for sun protection.

• Proper hiking footwear is helpful whenever your out on a trail. If you don’t have hiking boots, hiking shoes will work too because the elevation gain isn’t too high

• Be respectful when visiting this historical site and be sure to leave the area how you found it!

What should we pack for our hike

Below I’ve list a few important items that will make your hike much more enjoyable

1. Sunscreen- Since you’re at a higher elevation, the sun’s UV rays will be more intense. This is a must for any outdoor activity in Colorado. I personally like Sun Bum because it isn’t greasy and is Paraben free. You’ll also want to make sure to use lip balm with SPF protection in it.

2. Hiking footwear- Having the proper hiking boots or shoes will make your hike much more enjoyable. When buying hiking boots you’ll want something with good support and traction. I recently bought a pair of Merrell’s and I think they make some of the best hiking footwear.

3. Rain Jacket- I would advise packing a waterproof jacket that is lightweight and packable. Rain showers can happen at anytime in Colorado, so make sure to pack something that will keep you drive if that happens. I really like Burton rain jackets, but brands such as Patagonia, Marmot, Columbia, and North Face all make great Waterproof rain jackets too.

4. Water Bottle- Always pack water when going on a hike! Hydroflask makes some of the best water bottles, keeping water cold for 24 hours.

That’s it for hiking the Interlaken trail, if you’ve hiked this trail before or if you have a question, please leave a comment below! If you’re looking for more outdoor adventures, subscribe to our email newsletter below. Thanks for reading the blog and I’ll see you on the next post!