Log In 
Peak(s):  Mt. Massive  -  14,427 feet
"North Massive" - 14,337 feet
"Massive Green" - 14,311 feet
"South Massive" - 14,157 feet
Pt 14,169 - 14169
Date Posted:  07/26/2011
Modified:  08/24/2011
Date Climbed:   07/24/2011
Author:  Waggs
Additional Members:   weschun, globreal
 A Massive Day - South West Slope   

What a fantastic day on a mountain! Weather was perfect and the company outstanding! Oh, and 5 14ers to boot!

We all spent the night at the busy North Half Moon creek trail head. Site weren't hard to find, but they weren't plentiful either. At 3:30a the following morning I think we were all stirring and preparing for the day. By 4:30a we were geared up and on the trail. The morning was cool enough for a light layer, but not cold and within an hour of starting the hike, layers were being shed.

Image
Oh-dark thirty start


Even in the dark, the trail was easy to move along and we covered the mile and a half to the sign in 45 minutes. Roach's book indicates that people miss this turn off to Mt. Massive but these days it is very well signed:

Image
Turn here...


From the sign, we traveled up the trail. And up, and up, and up reaching 14,000 feet in about 2.5 hours. At this point we left the trail and began to contour(-ish) over to South Massive. This detour took us though a boulder field, and while the going was slow, it was not difficult.

Image
Looking towards South Massive

Image
Contouring (-ish) to South Massive


On the other side of this saddle is the trail from the east slope.

Image
Saddle between Massive and South Massive


Just after 8a, we were on the summit of South Massive.
Image
South Massive Group Shot


Moving from South Massive to Mount Massive was pretty straight forward. An hour after South Massive we were on Mt. Massive.
Image
Massive Group Shot


And, an hour later, we were on Massive Green.
Image
Massive Green Peak Host greeting me


Then things got interesting...
Image
The "Rock Pile"


We ran into Adam (Keystone4Me) who did some scouting around the rock pile, and did not find an easy route for him and his pup. As we approached, Britt did a quick study of the formation, and disappeared to the climbers left. Wes and I waited for a few minutes and decided that Britt wasn't coming back, and that we should attempt to follow.

Image
Britt points the route for us.


And so we did...
Image
Wes on the move around the Rock Pile


And eventually ended up at the base of this:
Image
The route UP to North Massive


We went up where the hiker is coming down. The stuff was loose and ugly but we single filed our way up.
Image
North Massive group shot


From the summit of North massive we quickly made our way to Point 14,169. From the point we then headed to the bowl to the south west to assess glissade potential.
Image
South East Bowl


And we did.
Image
Yours truly...


The hike wasn't quite done with us yet though.
Image
Wes moving through a snow field


And the scenery was spectacular!
Image
Waterfall


The head/hat dips here were refreshing!
Image
Head dips


Exactly 12 hrs after starting, Britt was back at the trail head cracking open a creek chilled beer. I was about 15 minutes behind him, and Wes about 15 minutes behind me.

I'll say it again, weather was fantastic (maybe even a bit warm)! But I enjoyed this hike far more than when I did Bel-Ox a couple weeks ago.

Big thanks to Britt for sharing trip pics.

The End
Image



Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19


Comments or Questions
globreal
User
5-14ers in a day & a 6 pack waiting in the creek..
7/27/2011 2:07am
it doesn't get much better than that!

Thanks Rob for putting up a TR to remember it by. It was a very memorable day with some of the best weather you'll ever find in Colorado. And since we were out 12 hours...what a blessing!

Hope to climb again with you soon.


weschun
User
Awesome day
7/27/2011 2:26am
Thanks Rob for the TR. You captured the day well. It was great spending the day with you.


JA_son27
User
Man!
7/27/2011 8:24pm
Those dogs must've been barking! Nice TR!



   Not registered?


Caution: The information contained in this report may not be accurate and should not be the only resource used in preparation for your climb. Failure to have the necessary experience, physical conditioning, supplies or equipment can result in injury or death. 14ers.com and the author(s) of this report provide no warranties, either express or implied, that the information provided is accurate or reliable. By using the information provided, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless 14ers.com and the report author(s) with respect to any claims and demands against them, including any attorney fees and expenses. Please read the 14ers.com Safety and Disclaimer pages for more information.


Please respect private property: 14ers.com supports the rights of private landowners to determine how and by whom their land will be used. In Colorado, it is your responsibility to determine if land is private and to obtain the appropriate permission before entering the property.