For me, climbing Mt. Elbert would be the realization of one of my oldest dreams...to climb a Rocky Mountain 14,000'-er. We decided on Elbert not only because it was the highest in the state (and second highest in the lower 48) but because it has a well-travelled non-technical trail to the summit. Neither my wife or I are rock climbers so this was a necessity. We decided on the popular route up the north-east ridge of Elbert. The 9-mile round trip route climbs from an elevation of about 10,000' to the 14,433' summit. Sounds straight forward enough but for a couple of flatlanders the sheer elevation would be a powerful obstacle to overcome. It promised to be a memoravle day on the trail...
13,250' - ...and back to the climb..."just put one foot in front of the other, eventually you'll get there..."
13,300' - This little creature is known as a Marmot. They live among the rocks above treeline and seemed to be quite docile. Numerous times we'd look up to find we were being watched by one of these cute little guys...
13,300' - This little guy was a bit camera shy...
13,400' - Looking 800' down into Box Creek Ravine...
13,450' - It really didn't feel like we were making much progress at times...
13,600' - I noticed we were no longer so much looking UP at Mt. Massive as OVER. This was a good feeling...
13,600' - ...the view down was looking more impressive as well...
13,700' - As we climbed the trail came nearer to the snowfields above Box Creek Ravine...
13,850' - FINALLY, the steep section behind us, only...
13,850' - ...yet another false summit ahead, this was depressing...
in this box:
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