Taken from the northeast,
1 and
2 show most of the route. Leave the parking area (
3) and hike south into the forest on the North Mt. Elbert trail. Switchback up a hill (
4) for approx. 1 mile to reach a flat area, near 10,600'. Descend slightly and reach a trail junction
near 10,560' . Turn right and follow the North Mt. Elbert trail -
5.
Hike up through the forest for 1.3 miles to reach a small clearing
at 11,600' -
6. Continue for another 0.3 mile to finally reach tree line near 11,900'. After leaving the trees, follow the great trail as it switchbacks up a gentle slope below the northeast ridge -
7. Near 12,700', reach the crest of the ridge
(
8) where you can see the large cirque at the head of Box Creek, up to your left. Continue southwest along the ridge as you approach the steeper terrain -
9 and
10. At 13,400', the route becomes steeper as you ascend right of the cirque.
11 looks back down the ridge. Follow the trail west (
12) before it regains the ridge near 13,900', at a flat area
. This steep ascent from 13,450' to 13,900' is the crux of the route.
From 13,900', easy hiking remains but you still can't see the summit -
13 and
14. Continue to 14,300' where the summit ridge finally comes into view (
15) and walk southwest to the top
-
16 and
17.
