MT. ELBERT: SUMMIT CAMARADERIE
14,433 ft.
September 2, 2002
By Tim Briese
My wife Teresa and I left home on a sunny Labor Day morning and drove into the mountains to climb Mt. Elbert, the highest mountain in the state. We four-wheeled up the road above Twin Lakes to the trailhead for Elbert’s east slopes route and hit the trail at 8:30.
The aspens along the lower portions of the trail were already turning color, and we thoroughly enjoyed their beautiful golden hues shimmering in the warm September sunlight. At timberline we paused to admire a grand panoramic view of the Twin Lakes spread out below, and then proceeded up the trail.
There were numerous other climbers on the trail joining us on this popular endeavor this morning. There were singles, couples, and occasional small groups of hikers. We passed a group of four young Oriental men who were taking a break and chatting in some language that was unknown to us. At about 13,500 feet we began to tire somewhat and it was apparent that other climbers around us were, too. A young man a short distance ahead stopped frequently and leaned over on his hiking stick to catch his breath while going up the numerous switchbacks on the south slopes just below the summit.
At 12:45 we reached the top and stepped on the summit. It was quite a thrill to be there. Conditions were sunny and calm, making for a perfect day to be on a mountain.
There were about two dozen people milling about on the summit, in a party-like atmosphere. Two young men from New Jersey had climbed up with their father who lived in Colorado Springs. There were two gregarious brothers from California who were on a trip to climb several state highpoints in the western part of the country, and I found it quite interesting to talk with them for a while. One of the Orientals had left his tiring party below and came on up by himself. People were standing all around talking amiably with each other as if they were long lost friends. One young man said he had been on the summit for three hours, just chatting with all the new people who came up. Exhilaration glowed in each person’s countenance. Three young men from Iowa soon arrived on the summit, and they were obviously excited to be there. As each new party arrived they were congratulated by others already there. It was fascinating, as well as heartwarming, to see such camaraderie among total strangers. A common bond of endeavor and accomplishment flowed through the group. Could this, perhaps, be a taste of what entry into heaven might be like?
We took a few minutes to gaze at the grand views surrounding us. The Twin Lakes, La Plata Peak, the Elk Range, and Mt. Massive were all quite impressive from this commanding vantage point on the highpoint of the U. S. Rockies. I carefully studied Casco Peak and French Mountain across the Halfmoon Creek drainage to the west, for I hoped to climb these two Centennial 13ers later in the month.
After a glorious hour on the summit Teresa and I began our descent. It is always easier to go down than to come up, of course, but tired legs can magnify the difficulty of even an easy descent. Part of the way down we stopped and gave some Rolaids to a climber who was having difficulty with the altitude. A short time later we paused briefly and joined another climber in watching a marmot playing on the rocks nearby. We tramped on down the trail and stopped for a welcome break near timberline. Then we hiked back through the golden aspens down to the trailhead, where we arrived at 4:30.
One of the Orientals staggered into the parking area as we were loading up, and we offered him a ride down to his car at the two wheel drive parking area a couple of miles down the road, and he gratefully accepted. Afterwards we stopped for a welcome dinner at Jan’s in Buena Vista, and drove back home that evening.
