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A difficult but amazing ride on Colorado's highest peak.


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Map Key

4.9

Miles

7.8

KM

Singletrack

14,418' 4,395 m

High

10,523' 3,208 m

Low

3,895' 1,187 m

Up

0' 0 m

Down

15%

Avg Grade (9°)

35%

Max Grade (19°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Not Allowed

Description

This trail starts with a moderately steep, but smooth ascent through aspen and spruce. At treeline, the trail gains some stairs, but still remains mostly rideable. At around the three-mile and 12,400-ft mark, the trail gets much steeper and becomes mostly unrideable to the summit.

Be prepared to hike your bike through loose scree for the last 2,000 ft up. Going down the trail is 95% rideable, but expect very hot brakes!

The new re-route (2020) is a complete fail for bikes. Unrideable for bikes in either direction and it's on a north face so it will have snow on it most of the summer.

Contacts

Shared By:

Tyler Vaughan with improvements by Evan Thomas-Richards and 1 other

Trail Ratings

  4.5 from 19 votes

#873

Overall
  4.5 from 19 votes
5 Star
79%
4 Star
5%
3 Star
5%
2 Star
5%
1 Star
5%
Trail Rankings

#235

in Colorado

#873

Overall
19 Views Last Month
5,494 Since Aug 24, 2018
Difficult Difficult

0%
0%
0%
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65%
35%

Photos

Mt. Elbert Summit
Jul 3, 2023 near Leadvil…, CO
Pushing up at around 13,000'
Sep 24, 2019 near Leadvil…, CO
Half way to the summit of Mt. Elbert. About a mile after tree line.
Jul 3, 2023 near Leadvil…, CO
There was a little bit of snow at the top on 07/01/23 but nothing on the trail.
Jul 3, 2023 near Leadvil…, CO
View of the loop from the CT. Start far left on Black Cloud to first left top, then hike along entire ridge to middle, then ride down entire right side ridge.
Nov 4, 2019 near Leadvil…, CO
Dropping in off the top looking to the south. Very loose and steep but super fun.
Oct 2, 2020 near Leadvil…, CO
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Jul 3, 2023
Juan Escobar
We'll above tree line is rideable. Last mile is brutal. Downhill is awesome. I only had to walk less than 30% of the trail uphill. 10.9mi — 6h 00m
Sep 18, 2022
Kearse George
Jun 24, 2020
Emma McVey
Meh
May 30, 2020
Irvin Chavez
Aug 20, 2019
Bryant P
Aug 15, 2017
Alec Ferguson
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