Colorado: Mt. Elbert

14,438 ft (4,401 m)

Mount Elbert is the tallest peak in Colorado and the highest point in the entire Rocky Mountain chain. It’s also the second-highest summit in the Lower 48, just behind California’s Mount Whitney. While it stands among a cluster of lofty neighbors in the Sawatch Range, Elbert rises more by measure than by dramatic contrast. Often called the “gentle giant,” it’s a summit that rewards persistence more than technical skill. For many highpointers, it marks a first real taste of alpine altitude—broad-shouldered, steady, and straightforward all the way into the thin air above 14,000 feet.

Most hikers ascend via the North or South Mount Elbert Trail, both of which climb steadily through pine and aspen forests before reaching a long alpine slope above treeline. The route is well-traveled but relentless, gaining over 4,400 feet in elevation in just 4 to 5 miles. There’s no scrambling or route-finding required—just lungs, legs, and patience.

Though often labeled beginner-friendly, Elbert’s elevation is not to be underestimated. Altitude sickness is common, and weather can change quickly above treeline. Still, for those who pace themselves and start early, the summit delivers one of the most iconic and accessible highpoints in the West—a soaring reward earned step by steady step.

More to come…