Mount Elbert is the highest peak in the Rocky Mountains of North America, at 14,440 feet, the highest of the 14ers in Colorado, and the high point of the Sawatch Range. It lies within the San Isabel National Forest. The mountain was named after Colorado statesman Samuel Hitt Elbert, who was active in the formative period of the State. Mount Elbert is the second highest mountain in the contiguous United States, after Mount Whitney in California.
"It took me nearly two years to get around to it, but I finally decided to tackle another of Colorado's 14ers. This time I went for #1, and I figured that the tallest peak in 48 states (all but CA and AK) deserved a geocache." ~ captain.ron (Original Cache Owner)
I, animjason, have since adopted this cache and it is an honor to keep this one alive. I have added some of my own flare to this page and hope you enjoy this cache. In addition to the Trailhead/Parking Waypoints, there is plenty of useful information on the 14ers.com site.
As 14ers go, this isn't a difficult climb, but make no mistake, it isn't a trivial undertaking either. There are several "easy" routes, but all of them involve hikes of at least 8 miles (Round-Trip) and elevation changes of at least 8,400 feet (Round-Trip).
"Once you reach the summit, first catch your breath, take in the beautiful views in all directions, and sign the peak log (along with all the muggles). As you sign the muggle log, you are about 75 feet North of the cache. The container is a medium Lock'n'Lock large enough for small trade items and trackables and contains a logbook and assorted writing implements.
PLEASE take this cache page along with you, and I strongly advise that you print out the photos and take them as well. I believe that there's plenty of information here to enable you to find this cache even without a GPSr, but of course, it won't do you much good if you don't have it with you. I'm really unhappy when someone makes this climb and then logs a DNF, so please do us both a favor and come well prepared for this one." ~ captain.ron
The hide is very easy, especially with the attached photos. PLEASE put it all back correctly so that the cache remains hidden from muggle eyes. Thank you and have fun!
You will probably not be alone on the summit, so believe it or not, some stealth will likely be required to safely retrieve and return the container. The cache is adjacent to the trail and it is fairly close to one of the Benchmark Reference Discs as well so a great "cover story" is that you're looking for the Benchmark if someone asks :)
"If this is your first Fourteener, then congratulations! And whether it's your 1st or your 54th, please feel free to include your no-doubt spectacular photos with your logs." ~ captain.ron
I love two-fers so don't forget to look for Mount Elbert's Benchmark as well.
Additional Waypoints
BM141NQ - Mount Elbert's Benchmark
N 39° 07.065 W 106° 26.721
Benchmark: KL0637
NOTE: I have only found the Reference Markers but not the bolt. I am not positive it is there or under a wind shelter?
EA141NQ - East Ridge (4WD ONLY)
N 39° 06.340 W 106° 23.716
Trailhead: South Mt. Elbert
Difficulty: Class 1
Summit Elevation: 14,440 ft
Trailhead Elevation: 10,230 ft
Elevation Gain (One Way): 4,217 ft
Round Trip Length: 8 miles
DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS WITHOUT 4WD!!! There is parking along the road near the Trailhead.
ER141NQ - East Ridge (2WD)
N 39° 05.948 W 106° 22.029
Trailhead: South Mt. Elbert
Difficulty: Class 1
Summit Elevation: 14,440 ft
Trailhead Elevation: 9,636 ft
Elevation Gain (One Way): 5,171 ft
Round Trip Length: 12 miles
NO141NQ - Northeast Ridge (Standard Trailhead)
N 39° 09.109 W 106° 24.731
Trailhead: North Elbert
Difficulty: Class 1
Summit Elevation: 14,440 ft
Trailhead Elevation: 10,047 ft
Elevation Gain (One Way): 4,707 ft
Round Trip Length: 9 miles
SO141NQ - Southeast Ridge
N 39° 04.172 W 106° 26.037
Trailhead: Black Cloud
Difficulty: Class 2
Summit Elev: 14,440 ft
Trailhead Elev: 9,707 ft
Elevation Gain (One Way): 5,307 ft
RT Length: 11 miles
This route allows you to bag two peaks, South Elbert and Mt Elbert. South Elbert is not listed as a 14er but is over 14,000 ft and has a Peak Log. It's considered a sister 14er to Elbert because the connecting saddle is 66 ft short (rule is 300 ft; it's only 234). This route also takes you the to South Elbert and 66rand Central Elbert caches.
The Highest Cache in Colorado
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captain.ron (Original Cache Owner)
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