Hiking Colorado's Highest Peak: Mt. Elbert via Black Cloud Trail

Mt. Elbert is famous for being the highest peak in Colorado, and the second highest peak in the contiguous U.S. The two most popular hiking trails to the top include the North Mt. Elbert and South Mt. Elbert trails, but with a little research we found a far more exciting (and less crowded) route along the Black Cloud Trail, which climbs over 5500FT and offers some outstanding trailrunning along the ridgeline from South Elbert to Mount Elbert itself.

But anyone hiking a massive CO 14er will know that the mountain weather is unpredictable in Colorado, and starting early is essential to avoid the ever-impending risks of lightning and thunder storms. Despite starting early and leaving the Elbert summit before our turn around time, we STILL managed to get caught in a hail storm! So if you're planning to climb Mt. Elbert, plan accordingly with the weather!

#mtelbert #14er #hiking

[mydearbrittany]

Yessss the music at 2:15! ✨💖 I just love it! Can’t wait for you to drop your music!

[traveler.west]

Hi Adam & Elise, I need to take a break to mourn the loss of my father.
I hope you’re never faced with having to respect the last wishes of a dying parent and remove all life support. It is indescribably painful.
You guys are the sunshine on rainy day, the soft cool breeze that seems to kiss your face on a hot summer day, the sun’s rays that have broken thru the clouds to gives us hope that the storm is passing and better days lie ahead.
I look forward to viewing & writing about your great adventures again. Stay safe. Much love & respect, Frans.

[peterboddie]

Great video. My running up and down mountains days are in the past.
But I climbed Elbert in early December in about 1974. I was a college student and my roommate was from Leadville. We decided to do cross country ski trip to an old cabin at the base (east side) and winter camp in the cabin (partial roof, but no windows or doors). But there was not enough snow for really good skiing so we decided, what the heck, let's climb the peak. We slogged through some deep snow below timberline, but once out of the trees and on the ridge the snow was either blown clear or so wind packed that you could walk on it. It was a warm day 15 degrees or so and there was not a cloud within a 5 state radius. The climb really was not that difficult (for a 20 yo). The view from the top was unbelievable and you could see forever, probably that clear only a few days a year or in a decade. We could see the High Unitas over 200 miles away in Utah, and there was a suggestion of a range on the horizon which might have been the Wind River Range, over 250 miles away. Later, I did the math on the curvature of the earth and it might have been what we saw, but I will never be sure. We did not have a map or compass to confirm the direction. We definitely had at least a 200-mile view that day.

Later, I married a beautiful Colorado girl who grew up climbing 14rs and in 1983/1984 we wrote the first state-wide hiking guide (Hiker's Guide to Colorado) together with a new-born daughter on our back. Our hiking guides are out-of-print now, but we recently wrote two books on the history of skiing in Colorado. lostskiareasofcolorado.com

Thanks for posting your video.

[sluggotinfantryman]

Blanca Blanca just like camping there. Great Dunes too if freezing.

Phatt Elbert. You nailed Longs. AWESOME.
Meeker kicks ass on these lumps. Banger ridge. Not like RUS but fun. Colorado Rockies are absurd. Just endless.

Humpty dump lump. Views are GORGEOUS!

[yogeshkumar-gqbb]

After rigorous hard work, your scream and the breeze from this paradise becomes one !!

[garyp.]

Way cool views! Thanks again! And super glad you got off that ridge in time!

[benjaminlujan]

This is Ben again. Just
to let you know, i love
your togetherness!
Thank you for all your
time, hard work and
beautiful scenery right
here in my loveseat
with you.
Happy to watch you guys.
Be careful.

[marymiller]

So beautiful!! And you guys are so glorious together and so FUN!!! In this bizarre world we need these adventures to keep our sanity! I truly believe life is supposed to be fun, and you guys are THE prime examples of that. The happiest times of my life is when I am on the trail, so thanks for the inspiration🎃

[livingwellwitharielle]

Woahhh this one was crazy!!! Glad you guys are safe! That panorama at the top was 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[skyegirl]

Spectacular You guys are incredible athletes! and such bright spirits

[seektruth]

Nice! Did Elbert twice on the standard trails, which was cool. This way looks more interesting and unique. Thanks for the video!

[bishalmalla]

And again, you guys’s hard work, dedication, perseverance and resilience to go to new places and experience the adventure never seize to amaze me. You guys are living my dream life. Seriously, I wish I had partner like that to support me in the outdoor. But anyways thanks for sharing such a wonderful video. Don’t know if I’ll ever go there but glad to watch from far enough.

[douglasfortune]

Nice job you guys!!! I haven't done the south trail yet, maybe next season. I am lucky enough to literally have this and all the other mountains in the area in my backyard. Elbert is the most visible mountain from my condo. I hiked up Mt. Cosgriff on monday the 20th which is part of Elbert. I camped up at 12, 000 feet and ended up hiking up to the top under a full moon. I made it to the top around 12:30am and it was amazing, no people of course and no wind. the temps dipped down to 16 degrees but it was so worth it. An amazing experience hiking up that high late at night. Keep up the great videos.

[travisstorms]

Awesome experience, video, and music, guys! Thank you!

[robertcalonico]

Looked like you could almost touch the clouds up there! So many beautiful vistas especially the sunlight & rain at the peak. Elise, beautiful multiple track singing! Thanks for another great video, and not too many "yikes" moments. Love you.

[gcropser]

What a spectacular hike with amazing views, too boot. I'm very glad that both of you wore gloves and carried hiking poles. Elise, I love your new song with layered harmony. Your songs are only getting better!. I'm looking forward to seeing you sing on the "Voice." sometime. I'm sure that you could be a "four chair turner." Have you considered hiking from Badwater Basin in Death Valley to the top of Whitney? Thanks so much for sharing your videos with us. I can't wait to see your next adventure.

[lostintravel_at]

wow - what a hike and what a view in the end. Great guys - love to follow you on these adventures. Cheers.

[ManivanAdventures]

Omg I can’t wait to get back out to CO! Awesome video as usual you guys!

[raymondzaragoza]

Another amazing twist you guys put into this challenging elevation of a hike ♥️u guys

[jebinaelsie]

Super gorgeous scenery. Whatta run. Hats off to you