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Framing the horizon and seeming to touch the sky, the Rocky Mountains of Colorado are a spectacular sight to see. Among these majestic peeks, Mt. Elbert is the tallest, its summit measuring in at just under 14,440 feet. As the second tallest peak in the contiguous United States (only Mt. Whitney in California is higher), Mt. Elbert is a popular spot for day-trippers and dedicated climbers alike. Because of the generally gentle slope to the summit, Mt. Elbert is an ideal location for a climb even if you don-t have a lot of experience. Hikers with a moderate level of fitness should be able to reach the summit on one of the five trails that ascend the mountain. Of these, the most commonly used are the South Mount Elbert Trail, which begins at Lakeview Campground and North Mount Elbert Trail, which begins a few miles beyond Elbert Creek Campground. The remaining three trails, South Halfmoon Creek, Black Cloud and Echo Canyon, are not as easily accessible to the casual hiker. The best time to summit Mt. Elbert is during the summer climbing season, from June through September. During these months, conditions on the mountain are safest. Climbers should be aware that violent afternoon thunderstorms often occur during these summer months, so plan to start hiking early. The trip usually takes 6-8 hours total. For those not interested in climbing the mountain, the Mt. Elbert area offers a number of campgrounds with spectacular views of the Rockies and lower-elevation hiking trails. Many of these campgrounds are RV ready (though most don-t have hook-ups), but since they are small, call ahead for availability. There is also an RV park a little further from the mountain. If camping is not your style, nearby Twin Lakes, Leadville and Aspen all have places to stay.