Going to Colorado in mid October to hike around in Rocky Mountain National Park and maybe attempt my first 14k (Mt Elbert). Any tips on gear or hiking in general for fall there?
How thick should my layers be? Am I fine with trail runners? How long does it take to acclimate to the altitude?
Coming from Florida.
>>1095058
Leadvilleanon here.
Elbert is one of our easier 14'ers. It is however very steep and prone to bad weather in the afternoon. You won't need a ton of clothes, but should have a water/wind-proof shell and sweatshirt and warm pants. Whatever shoes you're comfortable in will be fine.
You'll need to start hiking well before dawn to be off the mountain before the weather goes to shit (lightning, hail, snow, wind, whatever).
Coming from sea level it takes one or two weeks to acclimate, but the worst of it will pass in less than a week. Stay hydrated, that helps. Be aware of the symptoms of HAPE and HACE. People die here every year from the altitude. Not many, but some.
>>1095065
Thanks. I keep seeing Leadville on lists of where to stay, but Twin Lakes looks closer on the map. Is there any advantage between the cities? Was going to stay in Twin Lakes then take the south Elbert trailhead.
>>1095068
south elbert is much longer and less popular. But yeah, Twin Lakes is where you'll take off from there. There's not much lodging in Twin Lakes, it's a tiny little town with like 1 hotel and one gas station. Maybe a restaurant.
I usually hike the standard front route, it's much faster. Straight up the mountain. It takes off from Half Moon Creek where I was camped over the weekend. There's dispersed (free) camping all along Half Moon, and there's hundreds of campsites. Or if you love throwing money away there's also 2 Forest Service campgrounds on the same road near the Elbert and Massive trailheads.
Leadville is also fine if you want a hotel or B&B. We have something like 8 restaurants, 5 gas stations, 10 bars, 3 weed dispensaries. Not a big town but much larger than Twin Lakes.
Here's a list of things NOT to do on the mountain-
>http://www.aspentimes.com/news/man-who-died-on-capitol-peak-likely-chose-route-similar-to-aspen-couple/
Elbert is much safer than Capitol but we've had plenty of people die on the easy 14'ers as well.
>>1095068
also keep in mind hotels in both Twin Lakes and Leadville are likely to be booked solid because the aspen leaves changing. If you plan on getting a room book early. Fall's a popular time for people to hit the mountains.
if you go late in the season you'll be hiking in snow which changes things a bit.
>>1095071
So stick to the trail, got it. Is wildlife a threat at all on Elbert or Rocky Mountain Park? Any advice on food?
>>1095076
>you'll be hiking in snow
we've already had snow on Elbert clear last month. It only lasted a day but it will start happening all the time this month.
By the end of October Elbert will be completely covered in snow above treeline.
>>1095077
>So stick to the trail, got it
also start early, be down early, wear cotton clothes not wool, if lightning is around get off the mountain.
Bears kill or injure a person or two every year here. Standard precautions if you're camping. No food in your tent.
Elk and deer can both be dangerous in the fall, but statistically the hunters are the bigger danger. Wear blaze orange, stick to trails.
Don't drink our creek water.
Food is whatever you want to carry. Elbert is just a day hike, I don't usually even take food up it. You'll need lots of fluids. I carry at least 2 liters of water or Gatorade or whatever. Dehydration is a real problem at this altitude. If you want to bring food that's fine too though. Some people take fruit or sandwiches or whatever snacks they like. I'd probably pack a lunch if I was going up the long way like you want to.
>>1095078
How bad in mid October? In that case, would I need something other than trail runners? How hard would it be to follow the path if there's snow everywhere?
>>1095084
It's hard to say. Depends on the weather.
You'll likely have a couple inches of snow above treeline. It will be slick, but I'd be more scared about coming down than going up. The snow might melt off in the afternoon but you'll be hiking in freezing cold most of the way. I'd probably go with waterproof boots.
The trail is difficult to follow even when the ground is clear, I'd guess under snow it's impossible. I have the trails memorized so I'd have no problem getting up there, but without knowing exactly where you're going you could wander off. This is less of a problem on the front side since you just stay on the ridge all the way up. On the Twin Lakes side the trail isn't nearly as direct.
>>1095084
Another floridian here. I have never seen it snow more than a foot in Colorado after living there for five years. If you're anything like the rest of your state, bring a sweater along with whatever else everyone else said, and you'll probably want some thick socks. Wear boots of course, but especially here because there's these fucking rocks everywhere called shale and they love breaking ankles and being dickheads, and I've heard they also cause cancer if you breathe a bunch of dust from them or something, whatever fuck shale and do not trust it.
>>1095093
Yes.
If OP is hiking Elbert in mid October we have to upgrade to 3 layers of clothes- thermal underwear or sweats, regular hiking clothes, and then a waterproof and insulated outer layer of ski pants/jacket.
He'll also want at least 2 pairs of socks on his feet and a spare pair in the pack. A warm hat that covers the ears and some waterproof gloves will finish it.
October might be mild or it could be a bitch. No way to know yet. It's possible OP will need snowshoes or skis by then. We always have snow on the ground in Leadville by Halloween. Winter usually comes early here. We often get storms that drop anything from 2-4 feet of snow, and sometimes we get 6-8 feet in a couple weeks.
>>1095095
Is it possible to rent ski jacket and pants in either Leadville or Twin Lakes?
Also, I keep seeing things about fires in Colorado ruining the air. Those should be gone in a month, right?
>>1095098
>Is it possible to rent ski jacket and pants in either Leadville or Twin Lakes?
I'm not sure. Leadville has tons of ski rental places but they don't open until Thanksgiving most years. Even then I don't know if they rent clothes, I just buy mine. $160 at Walmart would get you an outfit, and I think they're selling ski clothes in the Frisco and Avon and Salida walmarts by October.
The air is usually clear up here by the end of September. It's fucking smoky as hell right now though.
>>1095101
Pic related, this was taken from the Half Moon Creek trailhead to Mt. Elbert last sunday. The mountain in the pic is Elbert.
>>1095098
If it means the difference between your life and death I'd meet you in Leadville with some warm used clothes.
If you get lost or injured up there I'm going to have to go get you, I work search and rescue here. Elbert in October is no joke.
>>1095083
>cotton not wool
Wot??
>>1095116
right?!?!
People that actually live here know that wool kills and cotton saves?!
Experience, it teaches.
In summer/fall in Colorado moisture doesn't usually kill you, so wicking ability and insulation is less important than light weight and durability.
wool is superior in winter though.
what are your favorite 14ers coloradolads
>>1095460
I like hunting gemstones on Antero. I usually drive up it though.