ttora4runner
Expedition Leader
Towards the end of September I had finished working around 140 hours over two weeks (I know some work more than that) and need to get away so not to go crazy. Earlier in the year I had joined a group to try and hike the non-standard route up to Mt. Massive but due to some incorrect map reading we round up on Mt. Oklahoma (trip report coming soon). So I had to redeem myself at least and make the trip to the summit of Mt. Massive the 2nd highest peak in Colorado at 14,421. The highest peak in Colorado is Mt. Elbert at 14,433'.
For this hike I opted to take the trail from Halfmoon Creek trailhead which is the shorter route but steeper with a number of switchbacks. The standard route is slightly longer but it's more of a gentle climb. I was the only one on this section of the trail and didn't see another person till I started the hike back down from the summit.
At the top, elevation according to my GPS (highest I've ever hiked too).
Maybe, it was the lack of air at the elevation I was at or the feeling of accomplishment but whatever it was I felt relieved and less stressed as I took in the views from the summit. I wanted to keep going and hike some of the other peaks along the trail but I knew I had to get back so I took one final photo of the Leadville area.
Heading back down the trail I came across (3) hikers at the junction of the standard route and the halfmoon creek trailhead and (2) groups of two heading up the switch backs.
One final photo of the fall colors in the area.
For this hike I opted to take the trail from Halfmoon Creek trailhead which is the shorter route but steeper with a number of switchbacks. The standard route is slightly longer but it's more of a gentle climb. I was the only one on this section of the trail and didn't see another person till I started the hike back down from the summit.
At the top, elevation according to my GPS (highest I've ever hiked too).
Maybe, it was the lack of air at the elevation I was at or the feeling of accomplishment but whatever it was I felt relieved and less stressed as I took in the views from the summit. I wanted to keep going and hike some of the other peaks along the trail but I knew I had to get back so I took one final photo of the Leadville area.
Heading back down the trail I came across (3) hikers at the junction of the standard route and the halfmoon creek trailhead and (2) groups of two heading up the switch backs.
One final photo of the fall colors in the area.
