Mount Elbert
August 21, 2018
Distance: 9.5 Miles | Duration: 6.0 Hours | Ascent: 4,380 ft
Elbert was a true gem once I found the trail. Leaving the parking lot before sunrise, I didn’t quite know how the trail approach Elbert, as it starts out as the CDT/CT from the parking lot. After exploring a few off trail options with my headlamp, I decide to wonder down the trail for a short while where I find the turn I’d been looking for.
I remember this feeling like a long hike and having concluded it was because I was at high elevation for a rather extended period of time. Gorgeous views and good times though.
Mount Massive
August 22, 2018
Distance: 13.3 Miles | Duration: 7.5 Hours | Ascent: 4,370 ft
The day after summitting Mount Elbert, I worked my way to the top of this behemoth of a hill. Had I hike this one before Elbert, Elbert would have felt like a walk in the part in terms of distance. Another day of gorgeous views. I saw a few of the same people who had hiked Elbert the day prior.
My base camp for both of these summits was the dispersed camping in the area. Lots of roots and rocks. Upon returning to the trail head, I’d discover a screw in my tire that had likely been wiggled loose by the washboard roads, rocks and roots. With a flat tire and a nearly flat spare tire, it had 11psi or so (luckly my rear tire), I drove to Leadville very gently and carefully. Good times.
