Hiking the Colorado Rockies - Mount Elbert

There's something about summiting a mountain that sits just a notch above all the others. Maybe it's the barren top, covered with rocks, the black and brown color of a grizzly bear's coat. Maybe it's the clouds clustering at eye level or the shadows they cast through the valleys. Mount Elbert, the highest peak in the Rockies, has that something.

We think we see Mount Elbert's summit from our camping spot above Twin Lakes. The guidebooks claim Elbert reaches 14,433 feet, but it doesn't look much bigger than its brother fourteeners currently catching the early morning glow on their ridges. Blue skies stand their ground as we begin hiking on the Colorado Trail, which in this part doubles as a jeep road. It ambles up Elbert's base, weaving through Aspen groves. The morning sunlight accentuates the slender trunks and the yellowing leaves. We hear an elk bugling in the distance.

We cross a stream, enter a pine forest and begin a steeper climb after a sign that points straight up and marks the start of the Mount Elbert Trail. This trail provides access to Elbert's east side. We climb straight out of the pines and back into the Aspens, which grow thinner and shorter as we ascend. Then the terrain changes to high alpine meadow and we catch our first close up view of Elbert. Now I understand why our guidebook reads, "You will appreciate Elbert's size long before you reach the summit."

Above treeline, the grasses bend down in the wind. The trail takes a sharp left to switchback its way up Elbert's dome. The trail cuts through short grass and rocks similar to the highlands in Scotland. Leadville, the highest town in the US, sits far below us. Each time we think we spy the summit, the switchback turns and reveals a higher spot.

Twin Lakes peaks in and out of the clouds. Clouds also cluster around the neighboring peaks of Mt. Massive and La Plata. Finally we can make out silhouettes on the true summit.

Four main trails converge at the summit, which is surprisingly flat and able to accommodate the hikers summitting from all directions. Standing at the highest point in Colorado offers an incredible vantage over the Rocky Mountains. We can see many of the fourteeners in the Sawatch, Sangre de Cristo and the Elk ranges. Spinning around in slow circles we take in this land of giants and enjoy the summit — especially enjoying that particular feeling you get when you're just a little higher than everything else.

To get to the Twin Lakes Trailhead, travel approximately 2 miles east of the town of Twin Lakes on Colorado 82 and turn onto Lake County 24. Head west past the Lakeview Campground. Without a four-wheel drive vehicle, park at the overlook and walk up the dirt road. Signage is limited except for markers designating the Colorado Trail. After a few miles, the trail crosses a stream and runs into the Mount Elbert Trail, which leads to the top.

— Krista Crabtree, MountainZone.com Correspondent