Riding Mount Elbert

#followcamfriday bringing you to the top of Colorado's highest 14er. Mount Elbert with James Weingarten and Ryan Soderberg.

Mount Elbert. Colorado's highest peak, stands a menacing 14,439ft above the ocean​. Nestled tightly into the Collegiate Range between Leadville and Twin Lakes, Mount Elbert is visible from every direction, towering above the rest. This is on the list of any hiker in the United States, but just so happens to be outside of wilderness designation and is open to enjoy by bicycle as well. 

This is my second time taking on this beast of a ride. Myself, James Weingarten and Ryan Soderberg began at the South Elbert Trailhead. This adds a bit of riding on the Colorado Trail to access the beginning of the South Elbert climb. This extra 1000ft of work is well worth the effort in my opinion as the ending descent is absolutely world-class, making for 5000ft total of descending, back to the car park. This took us about 4.5 hours with plenty of messing around and playing with cameras. It could be done in 3.5 without faffing about. 

Those down-valley views. The top 2500ft of the descent is basically like riding on the moon. With nothing for reference, speed is incredibly hard to judge. The pitch is conducive to speed, traveling straight down the fall-line in numerous sections. We could be going 30mph, we could be going 10mph. It's really hard to tell without features and trees zipping by. When you stare at the lakes below, breaking focus for just a second, things start to happen very quickly. Focus friends!

This is what the summit looks like on a Tuesday at 10:30am. I would estimate that there were about 50 people hanging out and enjoying the 50 degree temperatures and lack of wind. Such a rarity in the alpine. This is one of the most popular 14ers in the state and the North Elbert Trail is the go-to for hikers and climbers. Most of the traffic headed back down the North route as we descended the South. 

The bottom half of the South Trail was recently realigned. The lower, below tree-line section was completed in the summer of 2019. This new section has a more gradual pitch and is much more conducive to climbing than the old South route. Before, I would estimate the hike-a-bike to riding ratio was about 85/15. And that 15% was a struggle. Now with the new section, I would put the entire route at about a 65/35, ride to push ratio. How pleasant. 

The new South trail is amazingly fun to descend. The old bit was steep and janky, and part of me misses that for sure. But that said, it was hard not to crack a smile on this new bit, despite being far less technically challenging. It's almost a "flow trail", but matches the style of the nearby Colorado Trail section nicely. Good work, dig squad, good work. 

This is why you park at the lower trailhead and avoid the temptation to drive to the upper parking lot. A classic ripping Colorado Trail section. One of the finest bits of aspen forest I have had the pleasure of riding. No question. 

To be very clear, James Weingarten is an absolute legend. The riding I witnessed coming from James on this particular day basically melted my brain. First run, no fear, 30ft natural trail gaps on the fly. No do-overs, no hiking back up and re-riding shit, just split-second decisions in the moment. When you watch this video, please know that you are viewing a master at work. An artist. Without fear or hesitation, taking huge risks and coming out on top. I am not sure that I have ever seen such committed riding, in my life. Fucking Legend. 

So yes, this one is worth the effort. Especially now that a huge chunk of it is actually rideable on the climb. Just don't go on a weekend. Unless you are trying to meet a bunch of new friends. Like many things in life, timing is everything. Make the most of yours.