Mt. Massive Hikes: Routes, Maps, Photos & Trip Reports

Mt. Massive - 14,427 Feet

As the 2nd highest peak in Colorado, Mt. Massive has the most land above 14,000 feet. With five 14k+ summits and a north-to-south length of several miles, this peak is truly massive. Viewing Mt. Massive from U.S. 24 in Leadville, you can't help but see the grand size of this peak.

If you're in good shape and have a few 14ers under your belt, you can climb Mt. Massive via either the standard East Ridge Route or the rugged Southwest Ridge Route. Both have a trail almost to the summit but when you get close to the top, you'll be faced with some Class 2 terrain. Make sure you're in good shape and well acclimated before climbing this peak.


Elevation14,427' (LiDAR) 14,421' (Previous) CO 14er Rank2 of 53 RangeSawatch ForestSan Isabel Lat/Lon39.18753, -106.47559 CountyLake TownsLeadville, Aspen
Checklists
12,498 Member Ascents 245 Member Winter Ascents 124 Member Ski Descents
Planning
Weather Peak Conditions (Last: 7/2/2026) GPX Library Entries (32) Cell Phone Reception User Climb Times Peak Planning Console
14erology
Name History Climbing History Mining Geology More Information View All Add Information

360° Panorama from the summit of Mt. Massive.

Mount Massive from 13er Mount Oklahoma.

Hiking the west slopes of Mount Massive.

Massive seen from the east.

Massive seen during a hike of the East Slopes.

Hiking the east slopes of Massive.

Massive seen from Mount Elbert.

Massive from Turquoise Lake during sunrise.

Massive from Turquoise Lake.

Massive seen from 13er Mount Sheridan.

Member-Contributed Photos

Upload a Photo

Frequently Asked Questions about Mt. Massive

Top

What are the main hiking routes for Mount Massive?

The two primary ways to climb Mount Massive are the standard East Slopes route (via the Main Mount Massive Trailhead) and the Southwest Slopes route (via the North Halfmoon Creek Trailhead). Both routes are accessed directly from Halfmoon Creek Road (FSR 110) near Leadville. The East Slopes is longer but gentler at nearly 14 miles round-trip, while the Southwest Slopes route offers a shorter, significantly steeper 7.75-mile round-trip alternative.

Is Mount Massive a difficult hike for beginners?

Mount Massive is a Class 2 hike, making it slightly more physically demanding and rugged than neighboring Mount Elbert. While the approach trails are excellently maintained, neither route has a defined trail on the final summit ridge. Navigating this upper crest requires basic route-finding skills, and careful stepping over talus. It is a solid step up for beginners who have already completed a Class 1 peak.

Can I hike Mount Massive and Mount Elbert in one day?

While it is technically possible for elite, ultra-endurance athletes, hiking both peaks in a single day is highly discouraged for normal climbers. Despite sitting directly across the valley from one another, they are not connected by a continuous ridge. Connecting them requires dropping all the way back down to the Halfmoon Creek valley floor, crossing the road, and re-climbing a completely separate mountain. Attempting this creates a dangerous 22+ mile day with nearly 9,000 feet of elevation gain, drastically increasing your exposure to afternoon alpine thunderstorms.

Do I need a 4WD vehicle to get to the Mount Massive trailheads?

It depends on which trailhead you choose to use. The standard Main Mount Massive Trailhead (used for the East Slopes route) sits right off the lower section of Halfmoon Creek Road and is completely accessible to standard 2WD passenger cars. However, if you plan to hike the Southwest Slopes route, the road degenerates past the Elbert Creek Campground; reaching the North Halfmoon Creek Trailhead requires a high-clearance 4WD vehicle to safely clear deep ruts, and large rocks. However, most good-clearance AWD/4WD vehicles can make it to within 1/2 mile of the 4WD trailhead, where this is limited parking.