Mount Elbert
Mount Elbert is the highest summit of the Rocky Mountains of North America. With an elevation of 14,440 feet, it is the highest point in Colorado and the second-highest summit in the contiguous United States after Mount Whitney.
The North Mount Elbert Trail is the shortest way up. It’s just under 5 miles one-way (9.8miles round trip), but with significant elevation gain at almost 4,500ft.
I recommend getting to the trailhead early and catching the sunrise above treeline. You will avoid some people and beat the exposure to afternoon storms later in the season.
More Routes
The Northern Route is the shortest route to get to the summit, but there are other options. Outside of Twin Lakes, there is Black Cloud Trail (11 miles) and the Southern Route (15.3 miles). No matter the trail, plan to be exposed above treeline and try and avoid summiting in the afternoon due to the potential of storms.