Mt Elbert

[phatty]

Ok probably a dumb question but...

Can you sled to the top of Mt Elbert? Far as I can see its not in wilderness nor a WSA, meaning if snow and conditions are right you should be able to sled to the top?

Any locals give me the low down? or tell me I am nuts and should just plan a summer trip to hike it lol

 

[shanny]

From what I've gathered, I believe it's possible since there's a rental operation at the base of the mountain. However, conditions would have to just right for this to happen since the mountain get the sh*t blown out of it by the wind.

 

[skidooski]

I don't know about this one, as stated above the mountain gets blown by wind and what you could ride would be fairly sketchy and loaded. If I were to attempt this I would take Halfmoon creek and try from that direction so you stay out of the east facing bowl. Let me know if you try this would love to watch.

 

[skidooski]

One last thing you are nuts and I would hike it from the southwest where nobody else is until the summit a lot cooler than the cattle drive from the east.

 

[milehighassassin]

It would be very tough to snowmobile since the top portion is mostly boulder fields.

 

[skywagon]

Doable if the snow wouldn't blow off all the time. Best shot as a poster said above would be to ride up from the backside off the south fork of Half Moon creek. There is a jeep road that goes on the back side following the creek.
Ron

 

[AndrettiDog]

I can't imagine it would be very good because of wind drifts and huge boulders. But...there is some really good riding nearby. The Champion Mine area has some huge climbs. There are several avy prone slopes but great riding. If you haven't ridden 13K before, it really chokes out your sled. But if you are running a turbo you can just up the boost a little to compensate.

 

[backcountryislife]

If you want to do A 14'er, there's one by my place that has very doable access. I've been wanting to do it for years, just been lazy.

 

[milehighassassin]

My guess is he could care less about a "good ride". Sounds like bragging rights to me.

 

[phatty]

This mission would be more about doing something cool that's not been done as far as i know. It would be the highest you could legally get a snowmobile in the USA, something cool for a story, maybe bragging rights.

Yes it would be on boost (stock sleds worthless above 12k) and yes I am aware just how rocky/bouldery it would be.

I thinking a late march/early april on set up firm snow would help navigate some of the boulders.

I attached a pic of 2 possible routes I think would work. Both are skied frequently and are know as low avy routes.

Thanks for all the input fellas!

 

[cateye5312]

I've hunted all over that country for sheep and can't quite figure out where that picture was taken from. The right hand route looks very doable. Good luck! Bolt on the rock skis!

 

[sledsnowco]

I think the left side looks the best and seems easily doable. This would be a great year to do it with all the snow were getting recently. Hit me up Phatty if you want someone to go with ya.