Colorado 14ers: Mount Massive
This 11.2-mile hike strings together the five summits of Colorado's second-highest peak where supreme vistas open over a landscape of glacial till and alpine lakes.
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-Mapped by Timm Paxson
Trail Facts
- Distance: 9.0
Waypoints
Views of Mount Elbert
Location: 39.1559600830078, -106.467086791992
Looking south toward Mount Elbert from North Halfmoon Creek drainage.
©Timm Paxson
North Massive
Location: 39.1686515808106, -106.479705810547
Looking northwest up the North Halfmoon Creek drainage. The peak in the background is North Massive.
©Timm Paxson
Cliffs
Location: 39.1757164001465, -106.489440917969
Looking northwest toward cliffs that rise above the North Halfmoon Lakes.
©Timm Paxson
Mount Oklahoma
Location: 39.1749420166016, -106.488578796387
Looking west across a grassy meadow toward Mount Oklahoma.
©Timm Paxson
Another view of Mount Oklahoma
Location: 39.1789512634277, -106.478309631348
Mount Oklahoma and one of the Halfmoon Lakes to the west.
©Timm Paxson
Looking down North Halfmoon drainage at the southwest bowl
Location: 39.1710662841797, -106.485305786133
MAS001
Location: 39.1533508300781, -106.463272094727
From North Halfmoon Creek trailhead, head N, then NW through quiet forest
MAS002
Location: 39.1581764221191, -106.471153259277
Follow trail to the NW along North Halfmoon Creek
MAS003
Location: 39.1646385192871, -106.47583770752
Wind through open meadows, heading NW
MAS004
Location: 39.1678771972656, -106.479232788086
Leave trail and head N; begin steep ascent of Massive’s SW face
MAS005
Location: 39.1715812683106, -106.480392456055
Swing to the NE on climber’s trail
MAS006
Location: 39.1756248474121, -106.476432800293
Climb Massive’s rocky SW slopes through small switchbacks; North Halfmoon Lakes are tucked under rocky cliffs to the NW
MAS007
Location: 39.1826667785644, -106.475425720215
Head N on ridgeline toward Massive’s summit. Optional: Turn R, heading SE for .5 mi. to summit South Massive (14,132 ft.)
MAS008
Location: 39.1814880371094, -106.472610473633
Keep straight on saddle; Mt. Massive Trail enters on the L
MAS009
Location: 39.1791763305664, -106.46826171875
South Massive (14,132 ft.): Retrace steps to WPT 7 and bear R, heading N
MAS010
Location: 39.1875114440918, -106.475593566895
Mt. Massive (14,421 ft.): Look out across Sawatch ridgelines; Mt. Oklahoma’s pointed summit rises behind North Halfmoon Lakes to the SW; Turquoise Lake stretches out to the NE; retrace steps. Additional mileage: Head NW along saddle for .5 mi. to summit Massive Green
MAS011
Location: 39.191032409668, -106.481307983398
Massive Green (14,300 ft.): Absorb more picturesque views from this broad summit. Additional .5 mi.: Head NW along saddle to North Massive’s summit
MAS012
Location: 39.1955718994141, -106.487480163574
North Massive (14,340 ft.): Savor the sights from the fourth summit of the day. Additional summit: Follow saddle to the NW for additional .4 mi. to reach Massive’s fifth summit
MAS013
Location: 39.1984062194824, -106.493560791016
Collect views from 14,169 ft.; the Continental Divide and the Pitkin-Lake county line run across the summit. Return to WPT 7 and bear R @ Y to retrace steps to trailhead
