The standard, most heavily traveled route to Colorado's highest summit — a long, steady, non-technical climb along Elbert's broad northeast ridge.
From the town of Leadville, take U.S. Highway 24 south to Colorado 300, turn west and cross the railroad tracks, then turn left onto Lake County Road 11 toward Halfmoon Creek. After about 1.2 miles, turn right toward Halfmoon Creek Campground and follow the dirt road (rough with washboard and potholes but passable by most 2WD vehicles in summer) roughly 5 miles to the North Mount Elbert Trailhead on the left. From the trailhead at about 10,040 feet, the North Mount Elbert Trail heads into forest and reaches a junction with the Colorado Trail within the first half mile; stay on the marked Mount Elbert Trail signage rather than continuing south on the Colorado Trail. The trail climbs steadily through aspen and pine for roughly 1.5 miles, crossing a stream early on. Above about 11,900–12,000 feet the trail breaks out of the trees and begins the long ridge ascent. The route follows the broad northeast ridge for the remainder of the climb, crossing several false summits — the true summit is the highest of about four humps encountered near the top, and is easy to mistake for an earlier high point in poor visibility.
Reverse the ascent route. The false summits noted above are more disorienting on the way down in clouds or low light; hikers unfamiliar with the ridge sometimes drift off-route toward the wrong drainage, so it is worth reconfirming the trail visually before descending each high point.