Although it’s Colorado’s tallest peak at 14, 433 feet, Mount Elbert is by no means the most difficult to climb. In fact, with its long, broad ridges , it’s one of the easier fourteeners to tackle – “easy” being a relative term. (No climb at this oxygen-think altitude is ever easy.)

To get there: Lakeview Campground access: From Colorado Springs, take U.S. Highway 24 west to Buena Vista. From Buena Vista, take U.S. 24 north about 25 miles to Colorado 82 (exit to Twin Lakes and Independence Pass). Follow 82 four miles to Lake County 24; go west on Lake County 24 for one mile, pass Lakeview Campground and turn west (left) on a dirt road at 1.4 miles. Follow the dirt road about three miles, and park any place from here on. The trailhead is about a half-mile farther.

Halfmoon Campground access: From Colorado Springs, take U.S. 24 to Buena Vista. From Buena Vista, take U.S. 24 north about 38 miles to Colorado 300. Turn west on 300, reset your odometer and at mile .7 turn south (left) on Lake County 11. At 1.8 miles,. turn right (southwest) on a dirt road marked with signs for Halfmoon Creek. Drive past Halfmoon Campground, Elbert Creek Campground and to the Mount Elbert Trailhead at mile 7.

Hike:  Although four trailheads serve this hike, the U.S. Forest Service has designated the trails west of Halfmoon Campground as the primary route up Elbert; the Mount Elbert Trail from Lakeview Campground on the Twin Lakes side is the second choice. We hiked the less-crowded Mount Elbert Trail from Lakeview. If you choose this tougher route, be sure to stay on the trail – don’t cut switchbacks or walk around trenches in the trail, as that contributes to erosion. Park off the four-wheel-drive road that leads to the trailhead and hike up the road, which ends at the Mount Elbert Trail. Cross the creek and shortly after that, bear left at the Mount Elbert Trail sign. Follow this gently rolling trail through towering aspens for about a quarter-mile to the junction with the Colorado Trail. Here, sign in at the registry, turn left to stay on the Elbert Trail and begin the ascent. This mile or so through the woods feels like it’s straight up. There are few switchbacks as you gain more than 1,000 feet of altitude in less than a mile. This section has done in a lot of Elbert hopefuls. But hang in there – at least it’s shady and you’re not far from a broad plateau with a million-dollar view. As you emerge from the woods and onto the plateau, the trail levels out a little before another short burst that thrusts you upward and above timberline. Then you traverse one of Elbert’s green shoulders, and the summit is in sight – although you still have about three miles of climbing left. Stop and look behind you to the Mosquito Range to the east and the prairie beyond. Turquoise Lake and Leadville lie to the northeast, Buena Vista is southeast, and most of the rest of the Sawatch Range is south. The views from this point to the summit are exquisite. At about 12,500 feet, the toughest climb of the hike begins. It’s yet another merciless section with no switchbacks, only now it’s exposed to the sun and wind and you’re stepping on rocks instead of soft dirt. Once past the switchback-less section, the last mile of trail follows easier switchbacks through the gray talus so common in this range. There’s sometimes a lip of snow just below the summit, even in summer, so once you see that, you’ll know you’re close. Round a curve to the left – you’ll be startled by the drop – off to the north as well as the view into Utah, past the jagged Colorado peaks to the east – and you’re there.

Details: In the San Isabel National Forest. Leave as early as possible (like 6-7 a.m.); camping nearby the night before would be best to get the earliest start. Dogs should be leashed; no technical climbing gear needed in the summer.

Trip Log: From Lakeview Campground (Twin Lakes), via the Mount Elbert Trail, nine miles round trip, 4,100 feet elevation gain. From Mount Elbert Trailhead west of Halfmoon Campground, nine miles round trip, 4,400 feet elevation gain.