Mt. Massive

These pictures are all out of order, but OH well! This is our summit picture. We were sad to find that someone had stolen both the registry and the survey mark. So, it was just a stick in a pile of rocks. However, the views were amazing as always! Mt. Massive is 14,421 feet tall. The second highest peak in Colorado. The first ascent recorded (they had a registry) was in 1863 by Henry Gannett. There are actually several fourteen thousand something foot peaks connected to Mt. Massive. They are not considered a separate fourteener because they are less than the required distance from Mt. Massive. The hike is 13.75 miles round trip and has an elevation gain of 4,500 feet.

These are the North Half Moon Lakes. There is another trailhead for Mt. Massive that comes up from the Southwest side called the N. Halfmoon Creek Trailhead, but it's super steep.

Here's the "overcast" weather picture looking west toward the Elk Range, toward Crested Butte area. Needless to say, we did not stay on top for very long. It never did rain or lightning, thank goodness, but we headed back to camp to break down our tent and head over to Mt. Elbert.



Saturday after work we drove up to the Mt. Massive Trailhead and hiked in for about 30 minutes where we found a semi-level spot to pitch our tent. It's always fun selecting a tent site at night.

Sunday morning, I guess we could have stayed home and gone to church, but this is just as spiritually lifting! This is looking east toward Leadville.



The day started off beautifully only a few puffy white clouds. We started late, around 6:50am. By the time we reached the saddle the clouds joined and the sky was mostly overcast. Hmmm....the big question to proceed or not?