Mt. Elbert, November Attempt
Date: November 9th, 2025
Location: Mount Elbert, Colorado
Trailhead: North Mount Elbert
A friend of mine just returned to Salida after spending the summer out of town. On his first night back, he mentioned wanting to get after a 14er before winter fully settled in. November has been mild here, and while there’s no real snowpack yet, fresh snow has started collecting in shaded pockets—microspikes helped considerably.
We both had vans, an open window, and the itch to hike something big.
After work we drove up toward the trailhead and camped near the base. Sleeping at the foot of a mountain adds a layer of purpose to the whole thing—you can feel the work waiting for you above the roofline.
We started early. Cold air, quiet trail, a slow push through the forest. Mount Elbert is Colorado’s highest peak at 14,439 feet, but the route is steady and approachable. A gradual grade and morning sun along the trail zig-zagging up the east face.
Just above treeline, the wind started to whip. I put my head down & got lost in the rhythm. That’s when a vivid memory surfaced—almost ten years to the day since I tore my ACL playing college football. I remembered the strain of recovery with the frustration of wondering if hiking mountains would be a dream that died before I ever got the chance to try.
Today, I felt gratitude: for effort, for patience, for a body that’s capable.
Around 13,500 feet the wind ramped up, gusting near 50 mph. The trail tightened along a steep drop, and icy sections made footing questionable even with spikes. We both knew where the line was. We decided to turn around.
It was the right call—no disappointment, just respect for the conditions and appreciation for how far we’d made it. A solid first attempt. The kind that makes the next one feel inevitable.
I was glad to be on the trail at all. Glad to feel strong. Glad to push into the alpine before winter shuts the door for a while.
Total distance: ~9 miles
Elevation gain: ~4,000 ft
Summit: Not this time
Conditions: Cold, intermittent ice, high wind above treeline
Gear notes: Microspikes essential—Merino base, fleece, poly sun hoodie, waterproof shell
Lesson: The attempt is its own reward