The Mount Massive - North Halfmoon via the Mt Massive Southwest Slopes Trail is a challenging hike that leads to the summit of Mount Massive, a 14,421-foot (4,396 m) mountain peak located in the Sawatch Range of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, USA. The trailhead is located at the North Halfmoon Trailhead, which can be accessed from Leadville, Colorado.The Mt Massive Southwest Slopes Trail is a less-traveled route compared to the standard route via the Colorado Trail and it's considered more strenuous and challenging. The trail begins by following Halfmoon Creek for the first several miles and climbing steeply through dense forest and reaching the base of the mountain. The trail then splits, with the Southwest Slopes Route heading to the left, and the standard Colorado Trail route heading to the right.The Southwest Slopes Route is a rocky hike that requires some scrambling and route-finding skills, it's steeper than the standard route and it's considered to be more strenuous. It's not a maintained trail, so hikers should have experience with route-finding and scrambling. The trail will take you to the summit of the mountain, offering panoramic views of the Sawatch Range and the surrounding wilderness areas.The total round trip distance is about 7.3 miles, with an elevation gain of 3,880 feet. 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. This trail is less traveled and less maintained, so hikers should come prepared and be self-sufficient.For information on how we grade trails, please click here.This trail can be completed in approx 1 day. Caution is advised on trail times as this depends on multiple variables. For more info, click here.
