Mount Massive via Colorado Trail

Mount Massive is a 14,421-foot (4,396 m) mountain peak located in the Sawatch Range of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, USA. The Mount Massive via the Colorado Trail is a popular hiking and backpacking route that leads to the summit of the mountain.The trailhead for the Colorado Trail is located on the Halfmoon Road, which can be accessed from Leadville, Colorado. From the trailhead, the trail follows the Colorado Trail for the first several miles, which runs parallel to Halfmoon Creek. The trail then splits, with the Mount Massive Trail heading to the left and the Colorado Trail continuing to the right.The Mount Massive Trail is a steep and rocky hike that gains over 4,000 feet in elevation over the course of the 4 miles to the summit. The trail is well-defined and marked, but can be challenging, especially at high elevations. Hikers should be in good physical condition and have experience hiking at high elevations before attempting the trail.Once on the summit, hikers are rewarded with panoramic views of the Sawatch Range and the surrounding wilderness areas. The hike is considered strenuous, with an elevation gain of 4,550 feet and the total round trip distance is about 13.2 miles. It's essential to have a good physical condition and hiking experience before attempting the trail and to be prepared for changing weather conditions, bring plenty of water, food, and warm clothing. It's also advisable to check the weather forecast before starting the hike, and also check trail conditions and bring the necessary gear.For information on how we grade trails, please click here.This trail can be completed in approx 2 days. Caution is advised on trail times as this depends on multiple variables. For more info, click here.