Trailride-a-14er 2024!!!

This is an expedition style event facilitating an experience for an adaptive hiker to summit Colorado's tallest peak with the Trailrider trail wheelchair. This is not an easy hike, and Mt. Elbert is the tallest peak in Colorado. While this mountain is not technical and does not require climbing, there are no easy 14ers, and this one is the tallest.

We are using the EAST RIDGE route on 14ers.com. Please familiarize yourself with this route, and reach out if you have any confusion. This is NOT the standard route.

https://www.14ers.com/route.php?route=elbe2&peak=Mt.+Elbert

Feel free to come any or all days! Details and contingencies below.

<Friday: Basecamp Setup>

We are meeting Friday at the 2wd trailhead to setup basecamp at ~11,800' in preparation of Saturday. Meetup at 2wd trailhead at 9am, ferry to 4wd trailhead, and hike to and setup basecamp. 

Be prepared to hike over ~2 miles and gain approximately 1300 feet of elevation on Friday.

 Friday Timeframe Goals:
9am          Meetup at 2wd trailhead/gearcheck
10am        Departure from 2wd to 4wd trailhead
10:45am    Prep speech and hike from 4wd trailhead to basecamp
1pm          Arrive at basecamp

2wd Trailhead link:
https://goo.gl/maps/7W3B1ujV8ZNVnKj29

<Saturday: Participant to Basecamp>

 Friday, basecamp volunteers will descend and meet our adaptive hiker and volunteers at the 2wd trailhead. We will then convoy/ferry to the 4wd trailhead and then ascend the trail to basecamp (~11,700') just below tree line. Meetup is at 8am at the 2wd trailhead. Departure to 4wd trailhead and basecamp around 9am but could be later. Be prepared to hike over ~2 miles and gain approximately 1300 feet of elevation on Saturday. If you are joining us Saturday, we ask that you be at the 2wd trailhead at 9am at the latest.

Saturday Timeframe Goals:

7:00am       Wakeup
7:30am      Leave basecamp for 4wd trailhead
8am           Arrive at 2wd  trailhead and head to 4wd Trailhead
9am           Depart to 4wd
10am         Trail Prep
11am         Depart 4wd Trailhead to Basecamp
~1pm           Arrive at Basecamp

4wd Trailhead:
https://goo.gl/maps/mSoMJRKMswjiHPT57

<Sunday: Team to Summit and Back> 

We will depart basecamp (~11,700') around 6am (but we will leave earlier if weather necessitates), make our summit bid, teardown camp, and head back to trailhead. If you can only come Sunday, I highly recommend planning to be at basecamp before 6am to assure that you catch us on time if you get slowed down by mountain or travel variables. We will plan to leave basecamp at 6am but depending on logistical frameworks, terrain or environmental variables, team health/safety or otherwise, time goals are variable.  If you are hiking from basecamp on Sunday, be prepared to hike from basecamp at 11,800ft to 14,300ft and back to the trailhead at 10,500ft. "Sunday only hikers" will be on their own getting to us at basecamp which means an additional 2 miles and 1300ft of elevation gain for the day, and we cannot guarantee any support getting to us.

Sunday Timeframe Goals:

5am                            Wakeup, breakfast and bio
6-630                          Basecamp check, team prep, and launch
7am                            Distance goal: Team above treeline
10am                          Distance goal: Major break spot ~13,200ft
Noon                          Summit                     
12-1:30pm                  Summit to Basecamp    
2:30pm-5pm               Basecamp to 4wd Trailhead        

(There are years we have been back at 3:30pm and 9pm- Prepare for both)

Approximate Basecamp Location Below:
https://goo.gl/maps/Z9SwMdQv75AEcGJ48

Google Map Pings:
2wd Trailhead Meetup Location:
https://goo.gl/maps/7W3B1ujV8ZNVnKj29
4wd Trailhead:
https://goo.gl/maps/mSoMJRKMswjiHPT57
Approximate Basecamp Location Below:
https://goo.gl/maps/Z9SwMdQv75AEcGJ48

You are welcome to join us any or all days on the mountain but there will be a level of self sufficiency required to do so. Reach out if you have any questions.

Remember, you need to pack for self sufficiency. Pack as if you would be hiking or backpacking alone. Be prepared and know the route, what you need for each objective (hiking, camping, emergency), and a plan for getting off the mountain. There is SOME cellular service on the mountain. 

Fill out a yearly waiver for 2022 now to save time and trees:

Lockwood Waiver Link

If you are hiking (not camping) Mt. Elbert with us:
-Comfortable and preferably waterproof hiking boots 
-Backpack
-3L of water
-Food appropriate to your stay
-High calorie and protein snacks
-Rain gear
-Trekking poles
-Warm layers (no cotton or denim) for the summit and breaks (You know your body)
-Sun protection (screen, glasses, hat)

If you are camping with us Saturday, you will also want to bring:
-Sleeping bag (recommended 20 degree bag)

-Additional Water or filtration (there is often a spring near basecamp but you will need to filter)

-2 pair wool socks & and extra warm layers (no cotton or denim)
-Sleeping pad
- 3 season shelter
-Head lamp
-Meals and snacks to accommodate your stay (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
-Mess kit (bowl, spoon, camp cup)
- At least 4 Liter of water
-Food appropriate to your stay

Here is an additional resource for preparation:

https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/backpacking-checklist.html

***Remember, you need to pack for self sufficiency. Pack as if you would be hiking or backpacking alone. If our very experienced, trained and credentialed adventure guides find you to be severely underprepared in a way that puts you or our team in danger, they may not allow you to join us on this expedition. That being said, please reach out if you need help with this adventure. We work as a community to prepare, and we can pair you with a mentor for getting thoroughly prepared for this adventure.***

Reach out to jeffrey@thelockwoodfoundation.org if you have any questions