Mount Elbert

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Mount Elbert

Mt. Elbert
Elevation 14,440 ft (4,401 m)[1][2]
Location Colorado, United States
Range Rocky Mountains, Sawatch Range
Prominence 9,093-foot (2,772 m)[3]
Coordinates 39°07′03.90″N 106°26′43.29″W / 39.11775, -106.4453583Coordinates: 39°07′03.90″N 106°26′43.29″W / 39.11775, -106.4453583[4]
Topo map USGS Mount Elbert
First ascent 1874 by H. W. Stuckle
Easiest route hike (class 2)

Mount Elbert is the highest peak in the Rocky Mountains of North America. It is also the highest of the fourteeners in the US State of Colorado, and the high point of the Sawatch Range. It is located in Lake County, approximately 10 miles (16 km) southwest of Leadville. It lies within the San Isabel National Forest.

The mountain is named for Colorado statesman Samuel Hitt Elbert, who was active in the formative period of the State.

Elbert is the second highest mountain in the contiguous United States, after Mount Whitney in California, and is 65 feet (20 m) shorter than Whitney's 14,505 feet (4,421 m).

There are three routes up the mountain. The standard route ascends the peak from the east, starting from the Colorado Trail. The most difficult is the Black Cloud Trail, which takes ten to fourteen hours, depending on the pace. Nearby fourteeners include Mount Massive to the north and La Plata Peak to the south.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ NAVD 88 data from the National Geodetic Survey datasheet
  2. ^ Lipsher, Steve. "No tall tale: State higher than thought", Denver Post, July 7, 2002. Retrieved on 2007-04-19. 
  3. ^ Colorado high-prominence peaks on peaklist.org
  4. ^ NAD 83 from the National Geodetic Survey datasheet
Mt Elbert in June
Mt Elbert in June

[edit] External links