Mount Massive, standing at 14, 421 feet, is one of Colorado’s mountains that stands over fourteen thousand feet tall. Its East Slopes route offers hikers a little bit of everything for a hike: pine forests, mountain streams, and spectacular views of Leadville and the surrounding area, as well as a 13-mile round trip.
How to Get to the Mount Massive Trailhead
To get to the Mount Massive Trailhead, drive from Denver west to Leadville, CO, which is in Lake County. Drive through town to Colorado 300, and drive towards Halfmoon Creek on a dirt road. The parking lot for the trailhead will be on the right, next to a creek. However, there is also an overflow lot just before the main parking lot. On a busy weekend in the summer or early fall, expect these lots to be full. For more detailed directions, visit the Mount Massive section of 14ers.com.
Beginning the Hike up the East Slopes Route
The trail for Mount Massive, which is part of the Colorado Trail, begins at the parking lot, heading north. There will be a trailhead register at the start of the trail. Take the time to fill out the register, it’s free and the U.S. Forest Service uses the data for research on visitor use.
Follow the trail north and west through pine forests. The trail will cross two creeks, South Willow Creek and Willow Creek. This area is a great place for those who want to camp overnight, as there are several campsites near these two streams, and the streams are a good water source. Just make sure to purify the water before use. There will also be trail signs warning visitors to stick to the main trail, as other trails in the area have been closed for restoration.
Continuing Up the Main Mount Massive Trail
Past the two creeks will be a turn on the left up the Main Mount Massive trail. This is where the trail shifts north to west uphill to the tree-line. This area also has lots of pine trees that look like they’ve been through a forest fire.
Once reaching the tree-line the terrain opens up considerably, with views of Mount Massive ahead. Continue uphill, hiking through high-alpine terrain. The route will cut right at an overlook area, which makes a great rest-stop to drink water and check out the valley to the south.
Finishing the Climb to the Mount Massive Summit
From the overlook, turn right and follow the trail through broken rock up to the ridge. This is the Class II section of the hike, and is manageable with solid footwork, and maybe a trekking pole for those who’d like to have more balance. Follow the ridge past a false summit to the true summit. Return to the parking via the same trail.
Mount Massive is a fun, long hike, with great views of Leadville and the surrounding area.
Bill Sassani - Bill Sassani is an outdoor enthusiast, educator, and writer with over 15 years' experience.
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