Afternoon storm risk is the line that matters. Everything else is comfort. In summer, plan to be off the ridge before the build-up starts, not as it starts. Forecast for the summit point, adjusted for its elevation · data from Open-Meteo.
Alternate route · East Ridge
Overview
The East Ridge is a long, quiet route up Mount Massive from the Leadville Fish Hatchery. It follows good trails for the first four miles, then heads off-trail through forest to a long ridge that leads to the summit. You will see far fewer people than on the standard east slopes route.
It is rated difficult Class 2. There is some rocky scrambling on the ridge, and snow can make the middle section harder. It suits strong hikers with good route-finding skills. The round trip is about 14 miles with about 5,000 feet of gain.
Plan on 10 to 13 hours car to car. It is also a known winter route, since the trailhead is near a paved road.
Plan of the day
Start by
By 4 a.m. It is a long day, and the ridge is open to the weather for hours.
Turnaround
If you are not at the rocky point near 13,000 feet by about 10 a.m., or clouds are building, turn around. From there you still have more than 1,400 feet to go.
Crux
The steeper section from 12,600 to 13,000 feet and the rocky choices beyond it. With snow on the east side, climb right and then cut left through a notch.
Route-finding
Moderate to hard. Several trail junctions early on, then an off-trail section through forest to Point 11,827. Mark that point on your GPS. The ridge is clear once you reach it.
Water
Rock Creek and other streams along the Highline Trail. There is none on the ridge. Fill up and treat water before leaving the trail.
Just south of Leadville, leave U.S. 24 by heading west on Colorado 300, which crosses the railroad tracks. After 2.3 miles, make a left into the Fish Hatchery.
Stay left and drive a little over 0.1 mile. You will find the trailhead to the left of the hatchery. The road is paved and open year round.
Trail in the treesTundraRidgeExposed to lightning
The line is elevation, the band underneath is the ground, and the numbered dots match the steps below. Mileage and elevations are approximate.
1
Fish Hatchery trailhead 9,950' · 0 mi
Walk a road southeast a bit more than 0.1 mile; it brings you to the first of the Evergreen Lakes. Turn right and pass the second lake, heading northwest on the trail.
Watch for: Much of this route uses the Highline Trail. Watch the signs.
2
Early junctions 10,100' · 0.8 mi
Go straight at the first junction, then stay right at the next one.
Watch for: In winter, blue markers on trees help show the way.
3
Rock Creek 10,300' · 1.4 mi
At a junction by Rock Creek, turn left and cross the creek on a small bridge. Stay on the Highline Trail.
Watch for: Good place to fill water.
4
Mount Massive Wilderness 10,400' · 1.8 mi
Enter the wilderness about 0.4 mile past the creek. Keep going west on the trail.
5
Colorado Trail junction 10,900' · 3.4 mi
You come to where the trail joins the Colorado Trail and Continental Divide Trail. Go straight on the Highline Trail.
6
Leave the Highline Trail 11,300' · 4.1 mi
After a view of the upper route, the trail reaches 11,300 feet and turns down into a wet, marshy spot full of willows. Before it drops, turn left, find a small pond, and go around it.
Watch for: Easy to miss. Check your elevation.
7
Point 11,827 11,827' · 4.4 mi
Head through the trees to the south and southwest until you reach a rocky high point. Mark it on your GPS for the way back.
8
Gain the east ridge 12,200' · 4.8 mi
Go southwest to leave the trees near 11,900 feet, then west to the ridge. The last 2 miles of the climb are now in view.
Watch for: From here you are fully exposed to lightning.
9
Point 12,528 12,528' · 5.3 mi
Follow the ridge west over a couple of small bumps. Cross Point 12,528 or skirt it on the left and rejoin the ridge.
10
Steeper ground 13,000' · 5.8 mi
Near 12,600 feet the ridge turns south and gets harder. Climb steeper ground left of the crest to a rocky point near 13,000 feet.
Watch for: With snow on the east side, go right, then cut left through a notch.
11
Large bump 13,500' · 6.3 mi
Past the rocks, continue to a big bump near 13,500 feet. Climb it and work through a couple of rocky spots.
12
Flat spot below the final pitch 13,800' · 6.6 mi
Arrive at a flat area just below the last slope. Check the time and the sky.
13
Mount Massive summit 14,427' · 7 mi
Climb about 600 feet of simple terrain. Turn left at the top to reach the summit.
Getting down
Go back the way you came along the east ridge. Take care on the rocky sections between 13,500 and 12,600 feet. Leave the ridge near 12,200 feet and head back into the forest toward Point 11,827, then northeast to the pond and the Highline Trail. Follow the trail back past the junctions and Rock Creek to the Fish Hatchery.
If things go wrong
The ridge has few quick exits. The safest way off is back the way you came, to the trees below 11,900 feet. If weather catches you high, move down the ridge at once. If someone is hurt, get them warm and call 911 if you have signal. Few people use this route, so help may be far away.
Other routes
Every way up Mount Massive we list, with its class.
This describes the route in its usual season. Distances and elevations are close estimates for planning. Snow, ice, rockfall, a washed-out road or an afternoon storm can make it a very different climb. Check recent conditions the week you go and turn around when the day tells you to.
