The four-wheel drive road to the Upper Trailhead.
Beautiful aspen and fir forest early in the hike.
Twin Lakes below the trailhead.
Whiskbroom parsley (Harbouria trachypleura) flowers.
Wildflowers slowly opening in the morning.
Looking back at treeline on the grassy ridge.
Looking toward the remaining climb.
Shortstyle bluebells (Mertensia brevistyla).
This ridge is the popular Class II climbing route on the southern side.
Alpine aven (Geum rossii).
Twin Lakes looking farther away.
A scenic drainage south of Elbert with still-frozen lakes.
The main ridge can hold snow well into June.
Climbing in the snow is best done early in the morning before it has softened.
Looking south over the mountains of the East Ridge.
Mount Massive looming north of Elbert.
A marmot enjoying the view.
Box Creek Couloir is a popular ski route down after summiting.
The peaks south of Elbert.
The final climb to the summit.
The junction with the other Class I route to the summit, Northeast Ridge.
The summit block.
Looking north from the summit.
There is ample room to relax on the summit.
The south ridge continuing downward.
Looking northwest over the peaks of the East Ridge.
Looking north from the summit.
Pikes Peak far in the distance.
Looking back at the route up.
Unidentified wildflowers.
Alpine aven (Geum rossii) flowers along the trail.
The main obstacle on the four-wheel drive road.
Great views from a car camp near the trailhead.