Download Agreement, Release, and Acknowledgement of Risk:
You (the person requesting this file download) fully understand mountain climbing ("Activity") involves risks and dangers of serious bodily injury, including permanent disability, paralysis, and death ("Risks") and you fully accept and assume all such risks and all responsibility for losses, costs, and damages you incur as a result of your participation in this Activity.
You acknowledge that information in the file you have chosen to download may not be accurate and may contain errors. You agree to assume all risks when using this information and agree to release and discharge 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. and the author(s) of such information (collectively, the "Released Parties").
You hereby discharge the Released Parties from all damages, actions, claims and liabilities of any nature, specifically including, but not limited to, damages, actions, claims and liabilities arising from or related to the negligence of the Released Parties. You further agree to indemnify, hold harmless and defend 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. and each of the other Released Parties from and against any loss, damage, liability and expense, including costs and attorney fees, incurred by 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. or any of the other Released Parties as a result of you using information provided on the 14ers.com or 14ers Inc. websites.
You have read this agreement, fully understand its terms and intend it to be a complete and unconditional release of all liability to the greatest extent allowed by law and agree that if any portion of this agreement is held to be invalid the balance, notwithstanding, shall continue in full force and effect.
By clicking "OK" you agree to these terms. If you DO NOT agree, click "Cancel"...
This is going to be a short report that will interest anyone thinking about doing Massive up the North Ridge and down the East Ridge. As described in the Gerry Roach guide, this is a long tour. Gerry puts the mileage at 11.8. Another 14er.com writer took his GPS and put it over 14+ miles. I didn't measure it, but it seemed longer than 12 miles. The trip took a little over 10 hours and my pace this day was a little sluggish.
The view as you come upon Windsor Lake was lovely.
First issue after you reach Windsor Lake is the approach up to the ridge crest. I went for what looked like the easier access, (red line) but if I did it again I would take the saddle to the left (blue line). Here is a view of the ridge from Windsor Lake with the approach options illustrated.
And the approach options up a little closer.
The start of the ridge was an interesting jumble of house and car sized blocks of rock, some unstable, that presented the most technically challenging part of the entire day. While it was fun to negotiate this maze, if expediency is the goal, accessing the ridge further south would serve better.
Once on the ridge Massive looks forever away.
Earlier this season I did the Ellingwood Ridge of LaPlata which is notorious for being a long difficult day. The North Ridge of Massive is technically easier, but every bit as tiring. Of course this perception was formed partly by the perfect sunny and warm blue sky July day I had on LaPlata vs. the clear but cold and very windy day on Massive. Wind does tend to exacerbate exhaustion and this past Sunday a cold front was blowing in with enough force to knock me off my feet at times. This hike might make more sense when these fields are covered in flowers rather than snow. But I digress.
Here are a couple pictures along the ridge.
What does not show well in these photos is how splendidly the entire Elk Range looks spread out before you to the West for the entire day along Massive's ridge. From Mt. Sopris to the north to Castle Peak to the south, each peak stands in perfect profile, unmistakable to even the most casually trained eye. It was quite a spectacular view.
Roach describes the section between North Massive and Massive as class 3. I didn't find anything to merit that grade, but there was a steep loose and dirty gully off the N. Massive summit that should be taken one at a time by any group. Looking back to the N. Massive summit from the saddle to it's south shows the difficulties. There is a pretty obvious climbers trail just to the right of the snow field in this photo.
I suspect there were some sporting gymnastic moves along the top of the ridge here, but on a cold windy day this was a direct and reasonable alternative.
I found no summit register on Massive main summit, just this peculiar stick with various hieroglyphics. Anyone care to weigh in on the possible meaning of this relic?
For anyone doing this route, take note. The East Ridge of Massive is not well defined and there is no hint of a trail to assist you. It would be easy to drift further south than you want to be and care must be taken to stay on track. I descended looking to intersect the Highline Trail back to the Native Lake trailhead. When I got to treeline on the ridge and still hadn't found the trail I got a bit nervous. Bombing through the woods in several inches of snow worried the trail would be obscured made for an uneasy 20 minutes. But I did pick up the trail around 4:00 and enjoyed the 2 hour hike back to the truck.
Here is a look back at Massive from the Highline trail near Native Lake.
The Native Lake trail is long. There is a pretty good climb up and away from Native Lake and then lots of switchbacks to get back down. From the time you first spot your vehicle and think you are done there is almost still an hour of fun left in the day.
I carried an axe and crampons but never came close to thinking I needed them.
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
We did this same route last month, plus South Massive. And we made the same initial approach you did from Windsor Lake, realizing that southern saddle would have been much quicker. It was a LONG hike, alright, but a splended day. Enjoyed your report and the memories!
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.
