|
|
Destination: Mount Massive (14,421') via the North Halfmoon Creek Trail, Mount Massive Wilderness, Colorado
Colorado Locator Map
|
"Mount Massive is 11 miles southwest of Leadville and its east slopes dominate the view. Massive is massive. The mountain's name captures its essence. Massive has 5 summits above 14,000 feet on a 3-mile-long summit ridge. Massive is not just a peak; its a region. No other single fourteener carries with it such a large area above tree line. If Massive were truncated at 14,000 feet, the area of the resulting plateau would be nearly half a square mile! No other peak in the 48 contiguous states has a greater area above 14,000 feet. By this measure, Massive reigns supreme." — Colorado's Fourteeners, Gerry Roach
On Saturday, September 18, myself and two others decided to conquer this massive mountain. Daniel, Elliot, and I departed Denver Friday evening, en route to the Mt. Massive trailhead. While riding in the car, I was recalling that the forecast had called for a cold front to push through the area in a few days, which meant snow for the high country. I was happy to get in a final fall colors hike before the mild weather gave way to the icy fingers of winter. As the last colors of the day gave way to the night, we arrived into Leadville and ate dinner at the Tennessee Pass Cafe (I will recommend this place for a good, moderatley priced meal.) After dinner, we drove towards the North Halfmoon Creek Trailhead. We had originally decided to camp at this trailhead, but instead opted for a site at the Elbert Creek Campground, at around 10,000 feet and 2.5 miles from the trailhead. We quickly erected the tent and dove into the warmth of our sleeping bags.
The next morning, we awoke at 6:30 and quickly packed up and ate breakfast. A high clearance vehicle is highly recommended for the remainder of the drive to the trailhead from the campground. Nonetheless, if you are brave and foolish enough, you can accomplish a good portion of it in a Honda Civic. We drove until we reached a small parking area and walked the remaining distance to the trailhead. From the North Halfmoon Creek Trailhead, you have two options for summitting the mountain. The direct route takes you up Massive's southwest slopes, up a 2750 foot gain. Although steeper, this route offers solid rock and amazing views down the valley and of neighboring peaks, including Mt. Elbert (the highest fourteener in Colorado). The longer route sends you through a beautiful alpine forest until you emerge into a large basin under Massive's west slope with a final climb to the summit. For any who might take this trail, please note that the last portion of the longer route is up very loose scree and rock. This type of terrain makes for a very difficult ascent. As such, I strongly recommend ascending via the southwest trail and returning via the long route. The scree fields are much easier to go down than up!
We gathered at the trailhead, with the crisp morning air in our noses. The rising sun was dancing through golden aspen under a dizzyingly blue Colorado sky. Once we were all ready, we set off for the summit ...
|
. |
