Mt. Elbert Trailhead

Mt. Elbert at 14,433 ft elevation is the highest point in Colorado. It is the second highest mountain in the adjacent 48 states. Samuel H. Elbert (1833-1899) was an outstanding and widely known civic leader in the Territory and State of Colorado. Mt. Elbert, Elbert County, and the town of Elbert, Colorado were all named in his honor. Elbert served as Colorado's Territorial Secretary, Territorial Governor, and State Supreme Court Justice. Active in the formulation of mining legislation and reclamation projects, he promoted concepts of conservation and irrigation which were ahead of his time. Trail Revegetation: Due to heavy erosion on the North Elbert Trail, the U.S. Forest Service reconstructed a three mile section of this heavily used trail in 1992. Restoration of the old route is estimated to take 50 to 100 years, due to the fragility of the alpine vegetation. Please keep this in mind and help us and these alpine landscapes by staying on the established trails. Trailheads: Nearby campgrounds are Lakeview, Whitestar, Parry Peak and Twin Peaks the for South Elbert and Black Cloud Trails, and Halfmoon or Elbert Creek for the North Elbert Route. There are a few dispersed backpacking campsites along trails. Please use one of the already existing sites - practice minimum impact techniques.