The Top of the Rockies: Mount Elbert, Elevation 14,440 Feet

The earth's atmospheric air pressure profile takes a negative exponential decrease as height increases, which means less air for your faithful blogger/photographer to breathe - and let's not forget the burning legs and knees as one ascends the highest peaks in all the Rocky Mountains!  Even so, climbing Colorado's 14ers is a grueling and demanding experience that I absolutely loved and enjoyed and I cannot wait to do it again.  Three down, fifty-one to go!

This post exhibits scenes from my first 14er climb: Mount Elbert, elevation 14,440 feet - the highest peak in Colorado and the highest peak of the Rocky Mountains.  It is named for Samuel Hitt Elbert, Governor of the Territory of Colorado (1873-1874) and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of Colorado (1879-1883).  Mount Elbert was named by miners after Governor Elbert settled a treaty with the Ute Indians that opened up over three million acres of Indian reservation to mining and railroads.

As this was my first 14er, I was more concerned with making it to the summit rather than snapping plenty of photos - therefore most of the shots I have from my Mt. Elbert climb are from the trailhead or at the summit.  Enjoy!

This photo was taken from the Upper Arkansas River Valley looking towards Mt. Elbert.  The Arkansas River begins in this valley near Leadville, Colorado, and winds southward, eventually turning to the east and emptying into the Mississippi River.

A closer view of Mt. Elbert.  The summit you see in this photo is acutally a 'false summit' - the true summit of Elbert is hidden directly behind the summit seen in this photo.  The North Mt. Elbert Trail generally follows the ridge you see highlighted by the setting sun - you're sucking wind and busting your butt to reach the summit, only to realize you have reached a false summit...what a great feeling! Time to keep moving...

The North Mt. Elbert Trail follows the Colorado Trail for over a mile, then forks to the right; this is the sign marking the way to Elbert's high summit.

Dawn on the Mt. Elbert Trail - the morning sun bleeds through the lodgepole pine.  My dad and I hit the trailhead at about 5:30 AM in order to hit the summit before noon - once the afternoon arrives, the mountains can easily toss up a thunderstorm without any warning.  The last place I want to be during a thunderstorm is exposed above tree line!

And after several hours of hiking, we arrive at the summit of Mt. Elbert - the Top of the Rockies! The two posts on the right mark the highest point.

The plastic container in the center of the photo contains the summit log...

And there we are!  Proof we did it.  As if the photos were not enough.

I was amazed how much energy all these dogs had on the summit as I was catching my breath!

Me on top of the world! Well, at least this part of the world.  I own you, Elbert!

A quick look back at the trail making its way to the summit.

View of Leadville (left-center) and the Arkansas River Valley from the summit of Elbert.

Mt. Elbert summit and approaching storm - just a couple more minutes of snapping photos before we need to get off the summit!

View to the north - Mt. Massive (14,421 ft), second highest peak in Colorado and the Rockies, is on the left, Lake Turquoise can bee seen on the right.

View to the east - the Mosquito Range of the Rockies in the background, snow atop Elbert in the foreground!  In July!

View to the southeast - Twin Lakes in the center, Mosquito Range on the left, and the foothills of the Sawatch/Collegiate Peaks Range on the right.

View to the south - Mt. Elbert's southern ridge is in the foreground/left, while the background is filled with a panoramic view of the southern Sawatch Range/Collegiate Peaks Range.  The tallest peak in the center of the photo is La Plata Peak (14,368 ft), the fifth highest peak in Colorado and the Rockies.

View to the west - the Rocky Mountains flood the panoramic view to the west, never-ending with human sight.  This view never gets old!

One last look at Mt. Massive with the summit-post in the foreground before the storm arrives.

Safely back at the trailhead, mission accomplished - my first 14er!  I cannot express in words what a HUGE deal this was for me.  Climbing a 14er is something I have wanted to do for a VERY long time, and pushing myself through this physical event is a memory I will hold close to my heart for the rest of my life, especially having done this with my father.