From the Fish Hatchery trailhead (
1), walk 0.1+ mile southeast up a road to reach the first of Evergreen Lakes -
2. Since much of this route uses the Highline Trail, pay attention to the signs leading you to that trail. Turn right and walk 0.25 mile past the second lake and continue northwest on the trail -
3. If you're breaking trail in winter, blue markers on the trees will help you follow the trail for the first couple of miles. Less than a mile into your hike, continue straight at a junction -
4. At another trail junction, keep right -
5. When you reach Rock Creek at yet another trail junction, turn left to cross the creek on a small bridge and continue ON the Highline Trail -
6. Hike 0.4 mile to enter the Mount Massive Wilderness (
7) and another 1.6 miles to reach a junction with the Colorado/Continental Divide trails, over 3 miles from the trailhead -
8. Continue straight on Highline for another 0.5 mile to reach a spot where you'll get a preview of the upper route -
9 and
10. After another 0.25 mile you'll reach 11,300' where the trail turns northwest and drops to a marshy, willow-covered area -
11. This is where you'll leave the Highline trail.
Before the trail drops to the marshy area, turn left and locate a small lake/pond. Leave the trail and walk over (winter) or around the pond -
12. Weave south and southwest through the forest to reach rocky Point 11,827' -
13. If you're using a GPS, it's a good idea to mark this point in your GPS before you set out. From Point 11,827', hike less than 0.25 mile southwest to exit the trees near 11,900' -
14. Continue west to gain the east ridge at 12,200', where you'll see the remaining 2 miles of your route -
15.
Continue west along the ridge -
16. After passing a couple of small bumps along the ridge, you'll reach Point 12,528' before the ridge curves south. Hike over the point or bypass it by dropping left and regaining the ridge a bit to the west -
17. Near 12,600', continue south as you approach more difficult terrain -
18. Left of the ridge crest, hike steeper terrain (
18 and
19) to reach a rocky point, near 13,000' -
20. There are several ways to overcome this section but when snow is present on the east side, the easiest way is to climb to the right before turning left and passing through a notch -
21. On the other side of these rocks, continue along the ridge to a large bump, at 13,500' -
22. Turn west, drop slightly, and work your way through a couple of remaining rocky sections (
23 and
24) to reach a flat spot and the final pitch -
25. Ascend 600' of easy terrain (
26 and
27) before turning left to reach the summit -
28.