Mount Elbert

Mount Elbert with Turquoise Lake in the foreground

Mount Elbert is the highest mountain in the North American Rocky Mountains. With 4401m this is the second highest mountain in the contiguous United States, the highest four-thousand of the U.S. state of Colorado and the highest mountain in the Sawatch Range. The mountain is located in Lake County about 16km southwest of Leadville, in the Sun Isabel National Forest near the Twin Lakes in the center of the State of Colorado.

The mountain was named after the American politician Samuel Hitt Elbert, who perceived an active role in the formative period of U.S. state and governor of Colorado in the year 1873-1874 was. Henry W. Stuckle was first mentioned Notably climbers of the mountain, which took place in 1874. Mount Elbert is not considered particularly difficult to climb, which is why this is also called a " gentle giant ".

Geography

The mountain is located in the San Isabel National Forest, Denver is about 209 km and Aspen is about 64 km away. Mount Elbert is the highest mountain in Colorado, just as it also includes two neighboring massifs (Mount Massive and La Plata Peak) in the list of Fourteener (mountains over the 14 000 feet high ). The climatic conditions are very changeable, afternoon thunderstorms to occur more frequently, more is year round in the summit area of snow.

Geology

Mount Elbert is part of the Sawatch Range. This was in the mix lara orogeny about 28 million years ago. The peaks of the area were heavily glaciated, leaving characteristic peaks formations and other clues. For example, volcanic and metamorphic rocks are on the east side deposed as the glaciers have melted back. Further up the east side, there are mountain basin with narrow small mountain lakes. On the north and south sides formed by natural dams, large lakes such as the Turquoise and Twin Lake.

By a mountain, many large quartz deposits are found. The summit of the mountain, however, mostly of metamorphic rocks of Precambrian age. There are various igneous rocks are found as pegmatite, and metamorphic rocks such as gneiss and special mica schist. Compared to other mountains of the same height of Mount Elbert has few snowfields which is attributable to the fact that the rain - precipitation compared to surrounding mountain ranges is less. Back to lead this is due to the shape of Mount Elbert, as this represents a lower barrier weather than the surrounding mountain ranges.

Flora and Fauna

The summit area is largely barren alpine terrain. You can meet above the tree line are different plants which can survive in alpine altitudes. Examples are the silk -haired Phazelie which is common in North America at altitudes of 2100 to 2700m. Various species such as the brown bear, marmots, gophers and more are found in the different stages of vegetation. Some species such as grouse, elk, mountain goats are found chiefly in the summer.

Access paths

There are three main routes to get to the top. In all three routes in about 1200 meters of altitude to be overcome. The standard route to the summit on the Colorado Trail, beginning on the eastern flank. The 7.4 km long north Elbert trail begins near the Elbert Creek Campground and overcomes an altitude of 1400 meters. The road is often used by mountain bikers, horseback riders and hunters in season. A simpler but longer route is the South Elbert Trail with about 8.9 km in length, which also overcomes approximately 1400 meters of altitude. From the south go up here on the eastern side of the mountain.

The most difficult route leads through the Black Cloud Trail, which depends on the qualities of a climber, takes, up to fourteen hours. This route approximately 1600 meters in altitude and simultaneously overcome the south summit of Mount Elbert ( 4308m ) is overcome. There are other routes which start from the west and southwest, about the South Halfmoon Creek Trailhead and at Echo Canyon Trailhead.

All ascents require physical fitness, however, special mountaineering or climbing technical techniques are not required. The biggest danger on the mountain, the height Represents the occurrence of altitude sickness can not be excluded even in acclimatized climbers.