Summiting Mount Elbert: My Fourth 14er and Colorado's Tallest Peak

Bobak Radbin
Jun 27
2 min read

Mount Elbert Colorado Elopement Photographer

Mount Elbert hike: Monday, June 16, 2025

On Monday, June 16th, I set out to summit Mount Elbert — the tallest mountain in Colorado and my fourth 14er to date. Standing at 14,440 feet, Mount Elbert is both iconic and demanding, and I’d been looking forward to this one for a long time.

A Quiet Night at the Trailhead

I arrived at the dispersed campsite just before the official trailhead the night before and set up my little car camp for the night. Sleeping in the back of my car has honestly become one of my favorite parts of these solo missions — cozy, peaceful, and just steps from the start of the trail.

Dinner was simple but delicious, and I got a solid night’s rest. There’s something so satisfying about prepping your gear under the stars, knowing the next morning’s going to be something special.

An Early Start: 2:30 AM

I hit the trail at 2:30 in the morning — one of only three people who started that early. That meant I had the entire mountain to myself under a starry sky. Hiking in the dark, in total silence, with only the crunch of gravel and the occasional gust of wind was magic.

The Climb

Mount Elbert is no joke. The elevation gain is real, and the trail just seems to keep going. This was probably the hardest 14er I’ve done so far, not because of the technical difficulty, but because of the sheer endurance needed to keep climbing, step after step.

Still, the solitude, the rising sun, and that steady sense of forward momentum kept me going. I summited just after sunrise, after about 7.5 hours total on the trail.

Unexpected Wildlife: A High-Altitude Bird Sighting

One of the coolest surprises of the hike was spotting a small bird high up near the summit. Turns out it’s a White-tailed Ptarmigan — the only bird that lives year-round in alpine environments. It felt like such a rare and beautiful moment, almost like the mountain was saying hello.

Capturing the Summit

Even though I didn’t bring my usual lens (I had my 17–40mm on this trip), I still managed to capture some beautiful shots from the top. The light, the clouds, and the feeling of being completely above everything else made every frame special.

Reflecting on the Journey

Mount Elbert challenged me, no doubt. The elevation gain, the length of the trail, and the early start made it a real test. But I loved every moment. These hikes have become a personal mission for me — to complete all 58 Colorado 14ers. Four down, and every one has taught me something new.

Until the next summit.