Ellingwood Point only barely qualifies as an independent peak under the 300-foot (91 m) topographic prominence cutoff which is standard in Colorado. It is also quite close to its parent peak, Blanca Peak. Hence its inclusion in fourteener lists has been somewhat controversial. However most authorities do consider it a true fourteener.[5]
According to the Köppen climate classification system, the mountain is located in an alpine subarctic climate zone with cold, snowy winters, and cool to warm summers.[6] Due to its altitude, it receives precipitation all year, as snow in winter, and as thunderstorms in summer, with a dry period in late spring.