Mount Elbert is the highest point in the continental US at 14440 ft. We did the southeast approach last year—this year, we're doing the northeast approach.

Mount Elbert is only 54 ft less than Mount Whitney, the highest point in the continental US. It is, however, 5797 ft lower than the highest point in the entire US, Mount McKinley (Alaska). With that in mind, please be aware of the extreme elevation: you can get extremely sick. There are many herbal remedies (e.g. Ginseng tea, start taking it a few days before) that can stave off altitude sickness, as well as prescription medications if you're so inclined. We'll be camping at 10,060 ft to help acclimate.

The plan is to leave Las Cruces on the morning of July 3rd, and make the 9 hour drive to the trail head/campsite, arriving by evening. We'll camp there that evening, and begin hiking Mount Elbert no later than 5 am (this is extremely important!). Once we summit Mount Elbert, depending on the weather, we may walk an additional 2 mi south to South Mount Elbert (optional, just so you get to say you did 14k peaks in 1 trip). Otherwise, we should be down off the mountain by 2 or 3 pm, at latest. That evening, we'll check out the July 4 festivities in either Aspen or Leadville, CO.

Saturday morning, you can either head directly back to Las Cruces or following the Extended Week of Hard Stuff folks down to Colorado Springs to do Pike's Peak [more information forthcoming]



It is July 4th weekend, and the area will be very busy. It's imperative you get to the campsite as soon as possible to reserve a campsite. A comment will be posted as soon as the Extended Week of Hard Stuff crew find an open camping area, but here are the campgrounds in order of preference (distance to trailhead):

• 
• Half-Moon Creek:

• Lakeview Camground. Unfortunately, nowhere near our trailhead. But it's gigantic (59 spots) and has a wonderful view of a lake. $12/night. 

CDT trail: 10.3 mi, 4400 ft gain