We had been planning a special hike to the top of
Mount Elbert for several weeks, but were rained out multiple weekends’ prior.
We finally decided that we would just wake up early enough that the afternoon
thunderstorms wouldn't be an issue because by the time they rolled in we'd
already be back to the car. My husband, Justin, woke me up at 2:30 am on
Sunday, July 29. We grabbed a couple granola bars and guzzled down as much
coffee as humanly possible.
We made it to the Mount Elbert trailhead at 4:45 am
and started our hike in the dark. It was a grueling beginning to a brutal hike
up to 14,440 feet. We were thrilled, after four strenuous hours of hiking to
finally reach the summit. We took pictures and celebrated our climb with delicious
peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and ice-cold beer. Just before we were ready
to hike back down, Justin suggested we walk over and take one more look to the
west.
