Mt. Elbert (14,440')

RECREATING HISTORY ON MT ELBERT

Just as my step-dad did forty-seven
years one week and two days ago

with his family, we left the cabin

before dawn, stars pulling into

themselves as we made our way

through lodge pole pines, past

the white-tailed Ptarmigan

startling us in the woods, across

the tundra where a pika busily

built her nest and a yellow-bellied

marmot modeled his fur in the sun

continuing straight up on loose
rock around fragile alpine avens

stepping slowly to avoid a fall

knowing if we dared look up, even

before we reached the summit,

as they did years ago, we would

be able to see in all directions

This picture was taken August 23, 1972, the last time Walt hiked Mt. Elbert. He's with his mom and siblings (from left to right: Lucretia, Libby, Ross, Jonathan and Walt). His dad was taking the picture. Walt and I went on this hike to recreate the photo 47+ years later.

 

Hike level: Moderate-Difficult

Location: Leadville, CO 

Cost: FREE to hike 

Description: Mt. Elbert's summit is the highest point in Colorado. There are several paths to take to the top. We headed up the Northeast Ridge, starting from the North Mt. Elbert Trailhead near the Halfmoon Creek Campground. The total mileage was 9.0 with an elevation gain of 4,700.