We decided to tackle Mt. Elbert first of the six! It wasn’t the original plan, but we have learned that if you don’t get lost or change your plans at least once, it’s not a real adventure! The conditions were beautiful and the trail was in great condition. We parked in our campsite and began our hike at 10 am. We hiked a mile or so to the actual trailhead and took off. The hike itself was very beautiful and the weather was perfect. Shorts and light jacket was all we needed. We packed plenty of snacks, LOTS of water, and some sunscreen and bug spray. Sunburn can sneak up on you quick, especially with the increasing elevation and open sky’s. The hardest part about this hike was the number of false peaks we encountered. Just as we thought we were at the top… try again. The last two false peaks were straight rock climbs and tiny steps. We stopped frequently to snack or rest, but making it to the top was MORE than worth it! It was stunning! There was still snow on the peak and some wind but it was breathtaking to see the entire mountain range from the top! We enjoyed our snacks and water and then began the treck down. Small rocks made for several slips and falls on our butts! Go slow and be careful! Once you hit the tree line, it was an easy hike back to the trailhead. Camping at the base was also very worth the adventure and highly recommend it!