August 10, 2010
Mt. Elbert – 14,433 feet – Highest summit in Colorado
Every year, for the past few years, my mom and I have done a hike by ourselves. It’s something we both look forward to every year just to get to spend some much needed time with each other. Only getting to see one another a few times a year, it’s something we both cherish and hold close to our hearts. We try to do a new 14er every year and have done so, with the exception of last year. So far we have done Hallett Peak, Mt. Bierstadt, Mt. Chapin & Mt Chiquita, and Mt. Evans.
Mom has been working out a lot more back in Austin and was really looking for something that had a bit more of a challenge to it. I was trying to think of a good mountain that wasn’t terribly far from Estes, that was a notch above the challenge that our previous summits have offered, but one that wasn’t too difficult and within the realm of what she would enjoy not enjoying… if that makes any sense. There were a few on the list, but one that kept coming up was Elbert. It’s the highest summit in Colorado, a challenging hike, just outside of Leadville, one of my favorite Colorado towns, and a new summit for both of us! I ran it by mom and she was more than game!
I met mom and Kevin in Leadville on Monday, August 9th where we stayed at the Columbine Inn, which was a great place by the way. Mom and I woke up at 4 the next morning and were driving down Halfmoon Rd about a quarter to 6. We got to the trail head, made our last minute adjustments and were soon heading up the trail in just enough light to leave the headlamps behind! I wasn’t sure how the day would go, as she had just come up from 1000 feet a day before and this is a very high mountain. Altitude can easily shut a hike like this down if one is not acclimated or the the effects of the altitude come on too strong too fast. But, we were going to give it a shot and see what happened.
Leaving the Colorado Trail for the Mt. Elbert Trail.
We were making great time on the lower parts of the trail even though it starts steep and stays steep! We took a few breaks to simply soak in the beautiful morning and to catch our breath. The trail is part of the Colorado Trail for quite a while and is truly spectacular. There are some sections that do flatten out for a bit, which we were able to move fairly quickly on, but then, once you turn off the CT, the steepness kicks back in and the pace slows!
I can honestly say that this is one of the steepest trails I have been on. I really didn’t realize just how severe the angle was when I was researching which hike to do. I was hoping that this wouldn’t do my mom in, but I kept the candor light and the enthusiasm high, and she, being the trooper she is, kept plodding along enjoying every steep step.
As usual, she was being too hard on herself and as her pace slowed with the steepness, the kept apologizing for slowing me down! I kept telling her that we weren’t in a race and we were just out here to enjoy being out here… for no other reason! No time we needed to get home, no record to set, no storms to beat (the weather was perfect!), and no reason at all to hurry! Once she settled into the pace and stopped worrying about moving fast, she actually started moving faster! Funny how that works.
We were soon nearing treeline and the imposing and intimidating summit (well, the first of a few false summits) was coming into view. Here, the trail stays steep, but takes you through a few switchbacks to the top of a rise, where it flattens a touch leading you to a very very steep and loose climb that tops you out on the large false summit in view. We stopped about halfway up the switchbacks to put on some more layers as it was a bit chilly and very windy. It was also a good spot to take a break as mom was already feeling the effects of this ridiculously steep trail. Her legs were simply like jello and she was having a hard time lifting them high enough to hike well. But she kept on keeping on… she was determined!
Getting higher!
I always love seeing these hikes through my moms eyes. I love nature… love it deeply. But I don’t know if I have ever known anyone to love it as much as my mom does. She gets enthralled with all she sees. The obvious beauty of the grand vistas and the dramatic mountains are ooed and awed over, for sure. But so are so many little things. A small bird that will fly by, a small patch of alpine flowers, the colors of the grass, or an interesting rock. All of these are equally appreciated and it helps me to keep things in perspective. It’s not that I take any of this stuff for granted, but with my mountain “goals” changing over the past few years, my pace has quickened and some of these things are a little harder to notice. It is a great treat and offers a fresh perspective to get out with her on these hikes.
We took another break just below the steepness to the top of the false summit. Mom ate a little, we drank some more and mentally prepared for what looked like the summit push to us. So up we went. Mom’s legs were hurting pretty bad right here. This was pushing it as far as a trail is concerned. Any steeper, any at all, and you’d be climbing in 3rd class terrain. In fact, my mom was using her hands a little bit. For those who have climbed Longs, this stretch is even a bit steeper than the trough. So it’s the real deal. We kept putting one foot in front of the other and soon the steepest part was behind us. From here, it was obvious that there was a lot more climbing to do! The trail wraps around the north side of the big false summit and when it tops out there is about 50 yards of relief. But then you see the climb to the next false summit. This is not quite as steep though, and without even a little break, mom was soon cruising up this next slope. She was hurting, but was doing it!
My mom gets VERY driven on our hikes. She loves it so much and truly enjoys being out on the high peaks. There is never a concern about “want to,” and as long as the weather is okay she’ll keep pushing up and up and up! It’s great! So, that’s what she did! Every time she would see another slope to climb, she would at first be discouraged and kind of gasp in disbelief, but without complaining, she gets after it and starts up the dang thing. I knew she was digging deep climbing this next slope, so I went on ahead about 30 yards and just let her be in her zone. When I topped out of this slope, the summit was in view! There was another little slope to climb to the top of the summit ridge, and then a few hundred yards of rolling terrain before a small climb up to the summit proper! I yelled back to her that we were super close and this really lifted her spirits!
She made it up the slope and was thrilled to see the summit, but again discouraged as the ridge looked far worse that it was. It looked a bit exposed and narrow, but it turned out to be neither and was a very enjoyable walk to reach the highest point in Colorado! Those last few steps were fantastic and we were both so happy! The views from Elbert are truly spectacular! As far as you can see in either direction are huge mountains and deep valleys. We spent a good 20 minutes up there just taking it all in. We ate a bit, took pictures, talked with other hikers and relished in the moment. It was an absolute blast! And the icing on the cake was to see my mom so happy! More proof, to me anyway, that we as humans were created for this! We were created to explore, to challenge ourselves, to climb mountains, explore canyons, run through wilderness, and to actually LIVE life. We were not made to sit on the couch with the goal being to get as comfortable as possible in every aspect of our lives. Yes, a day of relaxation with a few good movies and some good food is fantastic, but give me a day on a summit with someone I love, or a day running through the mountains with just myself and the Lord, any day! I’ll choose it every single time! And with one split second glance of my mothers face on the summit of Mt. Elbert, I’ll guarantee she’ll choose the same thing! No need to even ask!
Being at 14,440 feet was spectacular! It’s the highest I have ever been and one of the coolest summits I have ever stood on. It was also the hardest thing my mom has ever climbed and one she will remember for the rest of her life! She repeatedly stated that it was the hardest thing she has ever done, and one of the best experiences she’s ever had! And this was just the climb to the summit! Now we get to hike back down the long steep slog back to the car!
On the summit!
We reluctantly left the summit of this wonderful mountain and began making our way back down. We made quick work of the initial slope coming off the summit, but this presented us with that very steep and loose section that was a bear to get up! I just told mom to take it nice and slow, and if she thinks she’s going too slow, to go even slower! A tumble down this section wouldn’t kill you, but it could sure mangle you up if you did it right, so I wanted to make sure we didn’t have any accidents here. We each gingerly made our way down with a few slips here and there, but nothing our butts couldn’t handle. Soon enough we were through it! It felt good to have that part behind us. From here on out it would be a simple hike. Some steep parts, but still a simple hike out. We chatted a lot about a lot, stopped to feed some Gray Jays, took a few pictures, and enjoyed this picture perfect day.
It took a while to finally get to the car… the trail seemed longer on the descent than it did on the way up… definitely earned it a death march status. But we ended up making it down just fine! It was a relief to be back to the car. The nine mile trip took us just over 9 hours to complete, so it had been a long day. We got our shoes off, got some cold water in us and were soon heading for Estes.
Elbert got her! I cry!
It was the most memorable hike that mom and I have done to date and will be hard to top next year! All in all we hiked 9 miles, climbed just under 4,400 vertical feet, and topped out at 14,433 feet above sea level!
I’m more than proud of my mom as this was a HUGE step up for her as far as hiking goes. Her legs were pretty worked about a quarter of the way up, but she toughed it out, hardened up and got it done safely and in style! Next year she’s wanting either Mt Massive, or one of the other Sawatch 14ers… all worthy goals!
More info on Mt Elbert… Click HERE
And for info an the Sawatch Range… click HERE
Another amazing day with my mom! Cannot wait until next year!
