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Peak(s):  Mt. Massive  -  14,427 feet
Date Posted:  06/05/2014
Modified:  06/06/2014
Date Climbed:   06/02/2014
Author:  DenverTRex
 Massive - Southwest Slopes   

Drive to far trailhead in unmodified 4x4 pickup easily done.

Camping at the intersection of Half moon and southwest slopes ascent trail in good shape. Two avalanche runs adjacent to the camping areas are filled with considerable snow and debris.

The GPS location of the intersection of the two trails as described in the Mt. Massive - Southwest Slopes (http://www.14ers.com/routemain.php?route=mass2&peak=Mt.+Massive) is spot on. Problem is, it's under several feet of avy debris. This makes finding the actual ascent trail a bit tricky. Caution - older maps and books describe a route about 500 meters further to the east. That route, if it still exists, was not found. The route described on this site is best.

To find beginning of the ascent, go to the trail intersection described. Climb the avy debris north uphill, away from Half Moon trail, towards the cliff bands above. Carefully look left for the trail. It emerges from the brush.

The trail is lost now and again through the drifts of snow. There are still considerable snow fields left on most of this trail. The area around the "Pointed Rock Pile" is decently clear of snow.

Once ove the hill above the "Pointed Rock Pile" you'll discover that the vast majority of the described trail is covered in deep snow.

We choose a route towards the col approximately NNE from the hill above "Pointed Rock Pile". This proved successful though challenging as it's loose scree, talus and 50+ meter-wide snow deposits.

Summit area requires trekking the tops of significant snow fields.



Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
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Comments or Questions
jbchalk
User
Congrats on Massive...
6/6/2014 2:58pm
Are you on snow pretty much from the N. Halfmoon Creek TH? Or, are you hiking on the dirt trail for awhile?


DenverTRex
Snow on the trail...
6/6/2014 3:38pm
The snow on the trail from the TH to the trail junction is only drifts covering less than 5% of the trail. Easily passable / avoidable without the need for floatation. An occasional post hole. There are two significant avy debris zones near the trail junction of Half Moon Trail and the Massive ascent. Again easily passable without floatation thanks to all the willow and pine branches / trunks creating snow rebar.


jbchalk
User
Many thanks...
6/6/2014 6:18pm
I was actually hoping for more snow since we'll be on skis heading for Oklahoma Did the trail look snowy beyond the junction?


DenverTRex
Added some Pictures
6/6/2014 6:32pm
I added some pictures that may be helpful..

Camping area near the trail junction

Shot of Oklahoma (I Think)

Panorama of the area to the north



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