Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Mount Massive

Mount Massive is a prominent mountain peak in the Rocky Mountains of central Colorado, United States, standing as the second-highest summit in the state at an elevation of 14,421 feet (4,396 m).^[1] Located in the Sawatch Range within the Mount Massive Wilderness—a 30,540-acre (12,354 ha) protected area designated by Congress in 1980 and jointly managed by the U.S. Forest Service's San Isabel and White River National Forests—the peak spans Chaffee and Lake counties near the town of Leadville.^[2] Its name derives from its imposing size and elongated form, featuring a ridge over 3 miles (4.8 km) long with five summits exceeding 14,000 feet (4,300 m), resulting in more land area above 14,000 feet (4,300 m) than any other peak in the contiguous United States.^[1] The mountain's geology is characterized by Precambrian granitic and metamorphic rocks intruded by Tertiary-age quartz monzonite, shaped by glacial activity during the Pleistocene epoch that carved its cirques, U-shaped valleys, and alpine tundra landscapes.^[3] Ecologically, Mount Massive supports diverse high-elevation habitats, including fragile alpine meadows, krummholz zones, and subalpine forests dominated by Engelmann spruce and subalpine fir, home to wildlife such as mountain goats, bighorn sheep, ptarmigan, and pikas.^[2] The wilderness area encompasses several lakes, including Lake Ann, and is adjacent to Turquoise Lake, and is traversed by trails that provide access to the peak's multiple routes, with the East Slopes trail being the most popular for its 13-mile round trip and 4,500 feet (1,372 m) of elevation gain.^[4] As a designated fourteener, Mount Massive attracts thousands of hikers and climbers annually, contributing to its status as a key feature in Colorado's outdoor recreation economy, though it faces challenges from overuse, including trail erosion and fragile ecosystem impacts regulated by permit systems and Leave No Trace principles enforced by the Forest Service.^[1] Its proximity to Mount Elbert, the state's highest peak at 14,433 feet (4,399 m), allows for combined ascents, highlighting the Sawatch Range's concentration of high summits that draw adventurers from around the world.^[3]

Geography

Location and Setting

Mount Massive is situated at coordinates 39°11′15″N 106°28′32″W, rising to an elevation of 14,421 feet (4,396 meters) above sea level.^[5]^[1] This positions it as a prominent feature in the high-altitude terrain of central Colorado, where it stands as the second-highest peak in the state, just 12 feet below Mount Elbert.^[1] The mountain lies within the Sawatch Range, the highest subrange of the Rocky Mountains, in Lake and Chaffee counties, Colorado.^[5] It is encompassed by the Mount Massive Wilderness, a 30,540-acre protected area designated in 1980 as part of the San Isabel National Forest, managed by the U.S. Forest Service to preserve its pristine alpine environment.^[2] Approximately 10.6 miles (17.1 km) west-southwest of the historic mining town of Leadville, Mount Massive anchors a rugged landscape of glacial cirques, tundra plateaus, and dense coniferous forests, contributing to the region's biodiversity and watershed functions.^[6] As part of the broader Rocky Mountain ecosystem, Mount Massive plays a key role along the Continental Divide, where the range's ridgeline separates watersheds draining eastward to the Mississippi River basin from those flowing westward to the Colorado River.^[7] Its proximity to Mount Elbert, about 5.1 miles southeast, highlights the clustered nature of Colorado's fourteeners, fostering interconnected habitats amid varying microclimates influenced by elevation and exposure.^[5] This setting underscores the mountain's integration into the Southern Rocky Mountain ecoregion, characterized by seasonal snowpack that sustains downstream rivers and reservoirs.^[2]

Topography and Features

Mount Massive features an elongated north-south ridge system spanning approximately 3 to 4 miles, characterized by rugged terrain and multiple high-elevation summits that contribute to its massive profile. The mountain's main summit reaches 14,421 feet (4,396 m), making it the second-highest peak in Colorado, while its North Massive subpeak stands at 14,340 feet (4,372 m); together with three other distinct summits—all exceeding 14,000 feet (4,267 m)—this ridge forms a complex of high plateaus and steep drops that distinguish it from more isolated peaks.^[6]^[8] This configuration results in the largest land area above 14,000 feet of any mountain in the contiguous United States, emphasizing its expansive high-altitude footprint.^[7] The topography includes prominent slopes such as the East Slopes, which rise gradually from forested lower elevations to alpine tundra, and the Southwest Slopes, featuring steeper, rockier ascents with exposed ridges.^[9] Hanging valleys, remnants of past glaciation, indent the eastern and western flanks, creating dramatic cirques and basins that channel seasonal snowmelt into nearby streams.^[10] These features enhance the mountain's visual massiveness when viewed from afar, with the ridge's undulating profile offering panoramic vistas of the Sawatch Range. In the vicinity, alpine lakes like Windsor Lake and Native Lake punctuate the lower slopes, fed by runoff from the ridge and providing reflective contrasts to the stark upper topography.^[11] Mount Massive's topographic prominence measures 1,961 feet (598 m), ranking it third among peaks in the contiguous United States after Mount Whitney and Mount Elbert, a metric that underscores its independent rise from surrounding terrain despite its proximity to Elbert.^[12] Climatic patterns, including persistent snow cover on north-facing aspects, further accentuate seasonal variations in visibility and accessibility across the ridge.

Geology

Formation and Tectonics

Mount Massive formed primarily during the Laramide Orogeny, a period of mountain-building that occurred between approximately 70 and 40 million years ago in western North America, driven by crustal shortening and compression associated with the subduction of the Farallon Plate beneath the North American Plate.^[13] In the region of the Sawatch Range, where Mount Massive is located, this orogeny initiated significant uplift around 72 million years ago, manifesting as the development of the Sawatch anticline—a broad, asymmetric fold that elevated the Precambrian basement rocks through thrusting and reverse faulting.^[3] This tectonic event built the foundational structure of the range, with Mount Massive rising as part of this uplift, eventually reaching elevations that place its summits well above 14,000 feet (4,300 m). Preceding the Laramide Orogeny, the area's tectonic history was shaped by the Ancestral Rocky Mountains during the late Paleozoic era, around 300 million years ago, when basin-and-range style deformation created highlands and sediment-filled depressions, including a basin west of the proto-Front Range that encompassed the future Sawatch region. Subsequent erosion during the Mesozoic period stripped away much of the overlying Phanerozoic sedimentary cover, exposing the ancient basement rocks that would later be thrust upward.^[3] The Laramide compression reactivated these older structures, leading to the exposure of the basement through ongoing erosion following the main uplift phases. Mount Massive lies within the Colorado Mineral Belt, a northeast-trending zone of tectonic weakness originating from Proterozoic shear zones (approximately 1.4 billion years old) that influenced later mineralization and faulting patterns.^[14] Key fault lines, such as the Sawatch Range fault zone along the eastern margin of the range, facilitated this uplift and continue to define the boundary between the Sawatch Range and the adjacent Arkansas River valley to the east.^[13] Post-Laramide epeirogenic uplift beginning in the Oligocene (around 30 million years ago), associated with the Rio Grande rift, further contributed to the mountain's prominence by adding to the regional elevation without significant additional folding.^[13]

Composition and Structure

Mount Massive is primarily composed of Early Proterozoic metamorphic rocks, including biotite gneiss, schist, and migmatite, which form the bulk of the mountain's structure and exhibit amphibolite-facies metamorphism resulting from intense heat and pressure during ancient orogenic events.^[3] These rocks, dating back over 1.7 billion years, originated from sedimentary and volcanic protoliths that were subsequently deformed and recrystallized, with common minerals such as biotite, sillimanite, quartz, and feldspar dominating the mineralogy.^[3] Intrusive igneous rocks further define the composition, notably the Middle Proterozoic St. Kevin Granite batholith, a two-mica granite that underlies much of the northeastern portion of the mountain, along with lesser quartz monzonite intrusions that appear in dikes and sills.^[3] Minor calc-silicate gneiss and quartzite layers, derived from metamorphosed limestone and sandstone, occur sporadically, reflecting limited preserved sedimentary sequences within the predominantly metamorphic assemblage.^[3] The mountain's internal structure is characterized by isoclinal folds, northeast-plunging anticlines, and north-northwest- to northeast-trending faults, many of which were reactivated during the Laramide orogeny and later Miocene extension, influencing patterns of slope stability, jointing, and differential erosion that contribute to the rugged topography.^[3] Mineral resources tied to this composition include veins of silver and lead, historically mined in adjacent areas where these metals occur within fractures in the gneiss, schist, and quartz monzonite, highlighting the metalliferous potential of the Precambrian host rocks.^[3]

History

Early Exploration

Prior to European settlement, the region encompassing Mount Massive in the Sawatch Range of central Colorado was part of the traditional territory of the Ute people, who had inhabited the Rocky Mountains since at least the 14th century.^[15] Eastern Ute bands, such as the Tabeguache, utilized the area's high mountain valleys and surrounding plains for seasonal hunting of game like deer, elk, and bighorn sheep, relying on these resources for subsistence as nomadic mountain dwellers.^[15] The Utes maintained deep cultural and spiritual connections to this landscape, viewing the mountains as integral to their identity and traditional practices, including ceremonies and oral histories tied to the land.^[15] The Pike's Peak Gold Rush of 1858–1859 primarily focused on diggings along the Front Range, with no recorded expeditions reaching the remote Sawatch Range at that time.^[16] A more direct influence came from the local mining booms in the 1860s, particularly the discovery of placer gold in California Gulch near present-day Leadville in April 1860, which drew thousands of prospectors to the immediate vicinity of the Sawatch Range.^[17] This gold rush, peaking with an estimated population of 10,000 in the area by mid-decade, spurred infrastructure development and trails that facilitated closer approaches to Mount Massive as miners scouted surrounding terrains for additional claims, though the mountain itself remained largely unexplored beyond visual reconnaissance.^[17] By the late 1860s, as surface gold deposits waned, attention shifted toward deeper mineral prospects, setting the stage for systematic scientific scrutiny.^[17] The first methodical documentation of Mount Massive occurred during the U.S. Geological and Geographical Survey of the Territories, led by Ferdinand V. Hayden in 1873, which systematically explored and mapped Colorado's mountainous regions as part of a broader federal effort to chart the American West.^[18] Hayden's expedition, divided into districts covering the central Rockies, traversed the Sawatch area near Twin Lakes and Leadville, recording topographic details of the peak and its environs to support ongoing settlement and resource assessment.^[19] This survey represented a pivotal shift from opportunistic prospecting to organized exploration, providing the earliest reliable geographic data on the mountain.^[18]

Naming and Surveys

Mount Massive was first ascended in 1873 by Henry Gannett, a geographer and topographer with Ferdinand V. Hayden's Geological Survey of the Territories, during an expedition to map the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. This ascent marked the peak's formal scientific documentation, as Gannett climbed from the eastern slopes near present-day Leadville to reach the summit, conducting initial triangulation measurements amid the rugged Sawatch Range terrain. The survey's efforts built on prior informal explorations by miners and trappers in the 1860s, providing the first systematic geographic assessment of the region. Gannett named the mountain Mount Massive that same year, citing its "broad heavy outlines" and substantial mass relative to nearby peaks, which made it stand out prominently in the landscape. He recorded an initial elevation of 14,424 feet based on barometric and angular observations, though early listings sometimes varied slightly to 14,428 feet due to measurement inconsistencies common in 19th-century fieldwork. This naming occurred against a backdrop of height disputes with adjacent Mount Elbert, Colorado's eventual highest peak; initial Hayden data suggested Massive might surpass Elbert, but subsequent refinements in the early 1900s, including USGS barometric surveys, confirmed Elbert's superiority by about 12 feet, resolving the ambiguity through improved instrumentation and cross-verification. Later USGS topographic mappings, beginning in the late 19th century and continuing through the 20th, further refined the peak's profile; by 1967, official USGS listings standardized the elevation at 14,421 feet using aerial photography and ground surveys. Contemporary adjustments via GPS and geodetic modeling under the National Geodetic Survey have updated it to 14,423.9 feet in the North American-Pacific Geopotential Datum of 2022 (NAPGD2022), accounting for gravitational variations and datum shifts that revealed earlier triangulation errors of up to 1 meter.^[20] In the 1970s, a public dispute arose over the relative heights of Mount Massive and Mount Elbert, with supporters of Massive attempting to increase its elevation by piling stones on the summit to claim it as Colorado's highest peak; these efforts were unsuccessful and highlighted ongoing interest in the peaks' measurements.^[21]

Climbing and Recreation

Popular Routes

The East Slopes route is one of the most popular approaches to Mount Massive's summit, classified as Class 2 terrain suitable for experienced hikers. This out-and-back path starts at the Mount Massive Trailhead off Halfmoon Creek Road at approximately 10,080 feet elevation and covers a 13.75-mile round trip with about 4,500 feet of elevation gain. Hikers follow the well-maintained Mount Massive Trail, which branches off the Colorado Trail after a few miles of gentle forest walking, ascending through willow-choked meadows and open alpine terrain to reach the east ridge saddle before scrambling mildly to the true summit.^[9] The Southwest Slopes route offers an alternative ascent from the Elbert Creek area, also rated Class 2 and appealing for its scenic variety. For non-4WD vehicles, beginning at the Elbert Creek trailhead around 10,000 feet, this 14-mile round-trip hike involves roughly 4,500 feet of elevation gain, passing through vibrant aspen groves in the lower sections before transitioning to steeper meadows and boulder-strewn slopes leading to the southwest ridge. The route connects via segments of the Colorado Trail, providing broader valley views compared to the East Slopes, though it requires more initial road walking.^[22] For those seeking a more direct but challenging variant, the North Halfmoon route ascends from the North Halfmoon Creek trailhead at about 10,500 feet, spanning a 10-mile round trip with 4,000 feet of gain and rated Class 2. This path follows North Halfmoon Creek through dense forest before entering steeper talus fields and loose scree slopes that demand careful footing, culminating in a traverse along the northwest ridge to the summit. It is notably steeper than the other routes, with exposed sections above treeline that can be affected by afternoon weather changes.^[23] Mount Massive's elongated ridge features five summits above 14,000 feet, enabling multi-summit traverses that connect the main peak with North Massive, South Massive, and others via Class 2 ridgeline walking, often extending hikes to 15-20 miles total. Access to all routes falls within the Mount Massive Wilderness, where no advance permits are required for individual day hikers, but self-registration at trailhead kiosks is mandatory to record entry and support resource management.^[24]^[6]

Safety and Regulations

Climbing Mount Massive presents several significant hazards due to its high elevation and rugged terrain. Altitude sickness is a primary risk, as the peak rises to 14,421 feet, where reduced oxygen levels can cause symptoms like headache, nausea, and disorientation, particularly for those ascending rapidly without prior acclimatization. Afternoon lightning storms are common during the summer months, peaking in July, when rapid weather changes above treeline leave hikers exposed to potentially fatal strikes. Loose scree and talus fields on routes like the Southeast Ridge increase the danger of slips and falls, especially on descents where unstable rock can shift underfoot. Wildlife encounters, such as mountain lions, have been reported in the area, though they are rare; hikers should maintain distance and make noise to avoid surprises. Proper preparation is essential to mitigate these risks. Acclimatization by spending 1-2 days at intermediate elevations, such as 10,000 feet, helps the body adjust to lower oxygen levels, reducing the incidence of acute mountain sickness. Adequate hydration—aiming for at least 3-4 liters of water per day—is critical to combat dehydration exacerbated by dry air and exertion. For the class 2 terrain involving off-trail scrambling, sturdy boots, trekking poles for stability on loose surfaces, and layered clothing for variable weather are recommended gear essentials. Adhering to Leave No Trace principles, including packing out all waste and staying on established paths, minimizes environmental impact and personal hazards like getting lost. Popular trailheads like Halfmoon Creek often fill parking by 5-6 AM during peak season (June-September), so early starts are advised to secure spots. Regulations in the Mount Massive Wilderness, part of the San Isabel National Forest, enforce strict rules to protect resources and ensure safety. A free self-issued wilderness permit is required and available at trailheads; it must be filled out and one copy retained by the group. Group sizes are limited to 15 people to prevent overuse, with all dogs required to be leashed at all times. Camping is restricted to at least 100 feet from water sources, trails, and lakes, and dispersed sites must avoid fragile vegetation. Fire bans are frequently implemented during dry periods, often prohibiting campfires outside developed areas from June through September; check current restrictions via the USDA Forest Service. Lake County Search and Rescue responds to numerous incidents annually on 14ers in the region, including Mount Massive, primarily involving altitude-related issues, weather exposure, and injuries from falls on loose terrain, with recent examples in June 2025 highlighting ongoing risks. Data from broader Colorado 14er analyses indicate that solo climbers face higher risks of prolonged exposure during incidents compared to groups, as evidenced by national SAR trends where solo hikers comprise a significant portion of lost or injured cases, underscoring the value of traveling with partners for mutual support.^[25]^[26]

Climate and Weather

Climatic Overview

Mount Massive is characterized by an alpine tundra climate under the Köppen classification ET (polar tundra), featuring cold conditions year-round with no month exceeding a mean temperature of 10°C (50°F), alongside year-round precipitation that is predominantly winter snowfall, with the majority occurring during colder months. This classification applies to high-elevation sites in the Rocky Mountains, where cold temperatures persist due to the altitude and exposure.^[27] The mean annual temperature at high elevations above treeline is below freezing, reflecting the harsh thermal regime typical of alpine environments, with modeled data indicating values around 15–20°F (-9 to -7°C) near the summit. Annual precipitation averages approximately 46 inches (1,165 mm), with the vast majority occurring as snow and winter accumulations often surpassing 200 inches in depth, contributing to persistent snow cover that influences local hydrology.^[28]^[29] Wind patterns on the mountain are shaped by its proximity to the Continental Divide, generating frequent high-speed gusts up to 50 mph that enhance cooling and erosion effects. Microclimate variations arise from the steep elevation gradients and slope aspects, fostering localized differences in temperature and moisture; for instance, inversion layers often form in surrounding valleys, trapping colder air below warmer upper layers during stable conditions. Recent climate trends as of 2025 show warming temperatures accelerating snowmelt and affecting alpine hydrology.^[30]^[31]

Seasonal Conditions

Winter on Mount Massive, spanning December through March, brings heavy snowfall that accumulates significantly in the high alpine terrain, with annual precipitation totals contributing to a substantial snowpack formation. Temperatures at trailhead elevations typically range from highs of 27°F to 28°F in December through February, dropping to lows around 3°F to 5°F, while summit conditions can be markedly colder, often reaching -20°F or below due to wind chill and elevation. Avalanche risks are elevated during this period, particularly on steeper slopes, necessitating specialized gear and training for backcountry travel. Despite these hazards, the mountain offers potential for ski mountaineering on routes like the east ridge, which features relatively lower avalanche exposure.^[32]^[33]^[34] Spring, from April to June, is characterized by rapid snowmelt as temperatures warm, leading to variable conditions with highs climbing from 41°F in April to 66°F in June at lower elevations, and lows ranging from 18°F to 37°F. This melt increases the risk of mudslides and stream swelling in the surrounding drainages, contributing to trail instability. Early-season trail closures are common to mitigate erosion during peak runoff, often lasting until mid-June when conditions stabilize.^[32]^[35]^[36] Summer months, July through September, provide milder weather with daytime highs of 63°F to 71°F and nighttime lows of 35°F to 42°F at base levels, making the mountain more accessible for hiking. Afternoon thunderstorms are a frequent occurrence, often developing rapidly due to daytime heating and posing lightning risks above treeline. Wildflower blooms peak during this season, enhancing visibility and adding color to the alpine meadows along approach routes.^[32]^[7]^[37] In fall, October through November, temperatures cool progressively with highs falling from 49°F in October to 37°F in November, and lows from 24°F to 11°F, signaling the transition to winter. Early snowfalls begin accumulating above 13,000 feet, sometimes reaching several inches, while golden aspens in the lower forests provide striking autumn scenery. Shorter daylight hours and increasing high winds, often gusting over 40 mph, reduce accessibility and heighten exposure risks on the open ridges.^[32]^[38]^[39]^[40]

Ecology

Flora

The flora of Mount Massive, located in the Sawatch Range of the Colorado Rocky Mountains, is stratified into distinct life zones influenced by elevation, climate, and soil conditions. Below approximately 9,500 feet (2,896 meters) in the montane forest zone, vegetation includes dense stands of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta), quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides), and Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii), which thrive in the cooler, moister conditions of this lower elevation.^[41]^[42] These coniferous and deciduous trees form mixed forests that provide habitat and stabilize soils on the mountain's lower slopes.^[43] Transitioning to the subalpine zone between 9,500 and 11,500 feet (2,896–3,505 meters), subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa) becomes dominant, often alongside Engelmann spruce, with krummholz formations—stunted, wind-sculpted trees—marking the upper treeline where harsh conditions limit growth.^[44]^[45] Above 11,500 feet (3,505 meters) lies the alpine tundra, characterized by treeless meadows of low-growing cushion plants such as moss campion (Silene acaulis), which form dense, mat-like structures to withstand intense winds and short growing seasons.^[46]^[47] Notable species across these zones include the Colorado columbine (Aquilegia coerulea), a delicate blue-and-white wildflower common in moist subalpine meadows, and the alpine forget-me-not (Eritrichium nanum), a vivid blue perennial dotting the tundra.^[48] Near the treeline, bristlecone pines (Pinus aristata) persist in exposed sites, their twisted forms adapted to extreme aridity and cold.^[49] Some endemics are tied to the area's calcareous soils, such as rare species in fens and ridges that favor gravelly, limestone-derived substrates.^[50]^[51] Plants on Mount Massive exhibit key adaptations to the harsh alpine environment, including low-growing, perennial forms that hug the ground to resist gale-force winds and reduce heat loss.^[52] Many species rely on mycorrhizal associations with fungi to enhance nutrient uptake in the thin, nutrient-poor soils.^[53] Seasonal phenology is tightly linked to snowmelt, with most wildflowers blooming from July to August as temperatures rise and moisture becomes available, creating brief but vibrant displays.^[54]^[55] These blooms support pollinators, facilitating reproduction in the short growing season.^[56]

Fauna

Mount Massive, located in the Sawatch Range of Colorado, supports a diverse array of fauna adapted to its alpine and subalpine environments, ranging from high-elevation talus slopes to forested lower valleys. These species play key ecological roles, such as seed dispersal, herbivory that shapes vegetation structure, and predation that maintains balance in the food web. Wildlife here is influenced by the mountain's steep cliffs, tundra-like summits, and seasonal snowpack, with many animals exhibiting altitudinal migration to track resources and avoid harsh conditions. Among the mammals, mountain goats (Oreamnos americanus) and bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) are prominent on the rocky cliffs and ridges above treeline, where their sure-footed agility allows them to forage on lichens, grasses, and shrubs while evading predators. In the lower valleys and meadows, Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus canadensis nelsoni) and moose (Alces alces) graze on willows and aquatic plants, contributing to nutrient cycling through their browsing and wallowing behaviors. The American pika (Ochotona princeps), a small lagomorph, occupies talus fields where it constructs haypiles of vegetation to cache food for winter, serving as an indicator species for alpine ecosystem health. Yellow-bellied marmots (Marmota flaviventris) inhabit similar rocky areas, acting as burrowers that aerate soil and provide habitat for other small creatures. Bird species are well-suited to the varied terrains, with white-tailed ptarmigan (Lagopus leucura) relying on seasonal plumage changes for camouflage in the open tundra, where they feed on buds and insects. Clark's nutcrackers (Nucifraga columbiana) forage in subalpine conifer forests, caching pine seeds that promote whitebark pine regeneration and forest dynamics. Peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus) nest on high ridges and cliffs, preying on smaller birds to control avian populations in the aerial food chain. Reptiles are limited by the cold climate, but the western terrestrial garter snake (Thamnophis elegans) occurs in moist meadows and stream edges, hunting amphibians and insects to regulate invertebrate numbers. Insects, particularly alpine butterflies like the Colorado alpine (Erebia callias), flutter in summer tundra meadows, pollinating flowers and serving as prey for birds and small mammals. Many species exhibit migratory behaviors, such as elk descending to lower elevations in winter to access milder conditions and forage, as documented in regional wildlife surveys.

References

[1]
Mount Massive (Fourteener) - USDA Forest Service
Feb 18, 2025 · Mount Massive is the second highest peak in Colorado at 14,421 feet, with five summits above 14,000 feet. It takes 4-6 hours to hike to the top ...Missing: geography facts sources
[2]
Mount Massive Wilderness - USDA Forest Service
Feb 18, 2025 · Mount Massive Wilderness, designated in 1980, has 30,540 acres in Colorado. It features Mount Massive, the second highest peak, and is managed ...Missing: geography facts sources
[3]
[PDF] Mineral Resource Potential of .Mount Massive Wilderness, Lake ...
It was named after Mount Massive (elevation 14,421 ft), the second highest peak in Colorado, which stands near the center of the wilderness; Mount Elbert ( ...Missing: facts | Show results with:facts
[4]
Mount Massive East Slopes · Featured Route - Colorado Trail Explorer
Jun 30, 2021 · Mount Massive is the second highest peak in Colorado and is appropriately named, with seven summits over 14,000 feet.Missing: geography facts sources
[5]
Mount Massive, Colorado - Peakbagger.com
Elevation: 14,424 feet, 4396 meters ; Subpeaks, Mount Massive - Northwest Peak (14,337 ft/4370 m) Mount Massive - Green Peak (14,311 ft/4362 m) Mount Massive - ...Missing: NGS | Show results with:NGS
[6]
Mt. Massive - Climbing Routes, Photos & Maps | 14ers.com
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.
[7]
Mount Massive : Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering : SummitPost
It has five summits above 14,000 feet on a 3-mile-long ridge. Massive has more area above 14,000 feet than any other mountain in the 48 states, narrowly ...
[8]
North Mt. Massive - Colorado 14ers - Alan Arnette
North Mt. Massive is a 14,340-foot Colorado 14er, part of Mt. Massive, the 2nd highest peak, and considered an easy 14er with a 9 mile roundtrip hike.
[9]
Mount Massive - East Slopes Route Description - 14ers.com
This route enters the Mount Massive Wilderness area. Designated wilderness areas have special regulations and restrictions for party size, dispersed camping, ...Missing: hanging valleys
[10]
[PDF] report.pdf - USGS Publications Warehouse
Gravitational spreading of steep-sided ridges produces character- istic geomorphic forms including grabens and depressions along ridge crests, trenches, and ...
[11]
Best lake trails in Mount Massive Wilderness | AllTrails
Rating 4.6 (2,015) According to users from AllTrails.com, the best lake trail to hike in Mount Massive Wilderness is Windsor Lake, which has a 4.7 star rating from 751 reviews.Missing: hanging | Show results with:hanging
[12]
Mount Massive - Colorado - peakery
... summits over 14,000 ft and a summit ridge over 3 miles long. Has the most acreage above 14,000 feet of any mountain in Colorado. Standard route starts on ...Missing: system | Show results with:system
[13]
[PDF] Geologic map of the upper Arkansas River valley region, north ...
The Laramide orogeny was an approximate 20-million- year (Late Cretaceous to early Eocene) period of crustal contraction, uplift, faulting, igneous activity, ...
[14]
[PDF] The Precambrian of the Rocky Mountain Region
The rocks range from unmetamorphosed late Proterozoic sedimentary rocks to Archean gneisses. The state of knowledge of the geology and geochronology of the ...Missing: Ancestral Rockies
[15]
Ute History and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe | Colorado Encyclopedia
### Summary of Ute Traditional Use of Central Colorado Mountains
[16]
Colorado Gold Rush | Gold Mining in Colorado
As many as 100,000 gold seekers may have started for the so-called Pikes Peak goldfields over the course of 1859, but observers believed only 40,000 reached ...Missing: Massive sightings
[17]
Leadville Colorado Mining History
View of Mt. Massive from the mining area. Historic miners' watering spots on Leadville's notorious 2nd Street.
[18]
Geographic Names Information System - The National Map
*Elevation. 4395 ... In 1901, a suggestion was made to apply the name Mount McKinley to the highest point on Mount Massive but no official action was taken.Missing: NGS | Show results with:NGS
[19]
[Seventh] Annual Report of the United States Geological and ...
This report details the 1873 exploration of Colorado, starting in Denver, dividing the area into three districts, and finding existing maps inadequate in ...Missing: Mount Massive
[20]
Mount Massive Southwest Slopes Trail, Colorado - AllTrails
Rating 4.7 (1,397) This can be a fairly strenuous hike, but definitely worth it if you want to shave a few miles off from the East Slope trail. Views at the top are incredible.Missing: hanging | Show results with:hanging
[21]
Mount Massive - Colorado Fourteeners Initiative
2024 Field Season Recap · 2024 Colorado 14er Hiking Use ... For detailed route information including pictures, maps, and elevation profiles, click here.
[22]
Mount Massive - Southwest Slopes Route Description - 14ers.com
From U.S. 24 south of Leadville, turn onto Colorado 300 and drive 0.7 miles before turning left onto County Road 11. Continue for 1.2 miles, then turn right ...
[23]
https://www.outdoorproject.com/co/north-halfmoon-trail-mount-massive
[24]
World Map of the Köppen-Geiger climate classification updated
The Köppen-Geiger climate map is provided with a spatial resolution of 0.5 degree (30 arc minutes) representative for the 50-year period 1951-2000. The map is ...
[25]
U.S. Climate Normals - National Centers for Environmental Information
U.S. Climate Normals are data products showing typical climate conditions, calculated for a 30-year period, and used to compare weather and predict future ...Launch Quick Access · NCEI Common Access · View Details
[26]
30-Year Normals - PRISM Group at Oregon State University
PRISM 30-year normals are baseline datasets describing average monthly and annual conditions over the most recent three full decades.Missing: Mount Massive Colorado
[27]
Topographic Features - Colorado Climate Center
Average wind movement is less, but areas very near the mountains are subject to periodic, severe turbulent winds from the effects of high westerly winds over ...Topographic Features · General Climate · Climate Of Mountains Of...Missing: Massive Köppen
[28]
Mount Massive Trail CO Climate Averages, Monthly Weather Conditions
### Annual Climate Averages for Mount Massive Trail, CO
[29]
Colorado Avalanche Information Center: Home
You can get forecasts of avalanche and mountain weather conditions by searching for a location in the search bar above or by clicking on the map to the left.
[30]
Mt. Massive in Winter | Seven Summits
Feb 22, 2017 · It has a nice winter route up the east ridge at about 15 miles roundtrip and 5,000′ of vertical gain that has little avalanche danger. I had ...Missing: conditions snowfall
[31]
Seasonal Closure Information - Stay The Trail
Most roads and trails in Colorado are closed during the snow-packed Winter months and during the Spring run-off season to prevent excess erosion.
[32]
Expert Tips: Avoiding Thunderstorms on Colorado 14ers | OpenSnow
Thunderstorms are very common in the Colorado Rockies during the summer months, often developing on a near-daily basis for weeks on end during the peak season ...Missing: Massive | Show results with:Massive
[33]
Mt. Massive Condition Updates - 14ers.com
Info: Overall great trail, spotted a mountain lion around a meadow near 10,733 elevation (about 1.2 miles from trailhead) around 25-30 feet from trail at 5:30am ...Missing: 2024 | Show results with:2024
[34]
Aspens in the Fall: Why Autumn in Colorado is Absolutely Magical
Pro Tip: If you want to experience the most vibrant aspens in the fall, visit during the last week of September when the contrast between golden leaves and deep ...
[35]
Highest Peaks In Colorado - World Atlas
In the sub-alpine areas between 9,500 to 11,000 feet are found engelmann spruce and subalpine fir. In areas disturbed by fire are lodgepole pine, and by wind ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[36]
BLM Colorado Native Plants Program - Bureau of Land Management
The major vegetation zones of Colorado consist of six major types: plains/grassland, foothills, montane, subalpine, alpine, and semi-desert shrublands.
[37]
Subalpine Ecosystem - Rocky Mountain - National Park Service
Jul 5, 2022 · The subalpine ecosystem, between 9,000 and 11,000 feet, has evergreen trees, lakes, wildflowers, and typical trees like subalpine fir and ...Missing: Massive | Show results with:Massive
[38]
Abies lasiocarpa - USDA Forest Service
Mar 22, 2018 · Subalpine fir and corkbark fir occur together in scattered mountain ranges in southwestern Colorado ... The krummholz form is typical of ...Missing: Massive | Show results with:Massive
[39]
Moss Campion - USDA Forest Service
Moss campion is a typical cushion plant. It makes tidy little ground-hugging mounds with only its small leaves exposed to the weather.Missing: Massive Colorado
[40]
Alpine Vegetation and the Struggle to Survive
Jul 15, 2016 · The alpine plants, which grow together as a community, include a wide variety of wildflowers, grasses, sedges, lichen and cushion plants.Missing: flora Massive
[41]
Columbine in the Sawatch Range - JON MULLEN
In stockThe elegant columbine, state flower of Colorado, takes its name from “columba”, the latin word for dove. Image Size. Choose an option, 12" x 18" ...Missing: alpine forget- me- not bristlecone pine
[42]
Map showing the ranges of Rocky Mountain bristlecone pine (P ...
Mountain bristlecone pine is restricted to the southern Rocky Mountains between central Colorado and northern New Mexico, and a small disjunct population on ...
[43]
[PDF] Distribution Modeling for Colorado SWAP Plants of Greatest ...
Elbert in the Sawatch Range in 2015. The species is found on alpine ridges with gravelly, calcareous soils. Two Maxent models were run for this species: one ...
[44]
Calcareous Fens Of Park County, Colorado: Their Vegetation ...
THE CALCAREOUS FENS OF PARK COUNTY, COLORADO: THEIR VEGETATION, ENVIRONMENTAL FUNCTIONING, AND THE EFFECTS OF DISTURBANCE Prepared by: J. Bradley Johnson ...
[45]
Quinn's Eco Corner - Adaptations of High Sierra Wildflowers
Jul 5, 2024 · Alpine plants have enzymes that function better in colder environments, a reverse of most enzymes which are more effective in warmer ...
[46]
Intra- and Interspecific Variation in Mycorrhizal Associations across ...
Jan 17, 2018 · These studies indicate that many alpine plants form dynamic or facultative associations with mycorrhizal fungi, including multiple ECM and AMF ...
[47]
5 Colorado Wildflower Hikes
Mar 21, 2025 · At altitudes ranging from 8,500 to 14,000 feet, the pinnacle of this blooming season is usually around the Fourth of July. 1. Willow Creek Trail ...
[48]
[PDF] The Handy Dandy Alpine Wildflower Guide
This guide helps identify alpine wildflowers and shrubs above tree line (11,500 ft), blooming late June to early August, found on meadows, ridges and peaks.
[49]
Wildflowers in Colorado have sprung - UCHealth Today
What are some favorite alpine tundra wildflowers? Ling especially loves the alpine forget-me-not. “It's an early bloomer, an early sign of summer. Summer up ...Missing: bristlecone pine Sawatch
[50]
https://cnhp.colostate.edu/download/documents/2021/CODEX-PGCN-Models-Report-Interim-20210831.pdf
[51]
Proclamation 467—Establishing the San Isabel Forest Reserve
Proclamation 467—Establishing the San Isabel Forest Reserve. April 11, 1902. By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation.
[52]
Administering the National Forests of Colorado - National Park Service
Jan 15, 2008 · The San Isabel Forest Reserve was established about three months after the Pikes Peak Timber Land Reserve in 1902. Both were designated National ...Missing: early 20th restrictions
[53]
[PDF] Pike-San Isabel National Forests
Sep 12, 2011 · Other wildlife game species present include mountain lion and wild turkey. Approximately six miles of NFST. 1300 (Indian Trail) passes ...
[54]
Colorado Fourteeners Initiative: Protecting Colorado 14ers
Colorado Fourteeners Initiative (CFI) protects and preserves Coloardo's 14000-foot peaks - "Fourteeners" - through active stewardship and public education.Volunteer Options · Employment · Staff · Current & Future Projects
[55]
2024 Colorado 14er Hiking Use Estimates
Colorado Fourteeners Initiative (CFI) has been monitoring hiking use on Colorado's 14,000-foot peaks using infrared trail counters since 2014.
[56]
2023 Colorado 14er Hiking Use Estimates
In 2023, an estimated 57 percent of all statewide hiking use (148,000 hiker days) occurred on the 12 peaks closest to the Denver metro area (Front Range, ...
[57]
Toward Sustainable Recreation on Colorado's Fourteeners
Nov 25, 2020 · Large numbers of hikers are causing safety problems and environmental degradation on many fourteeners, especially those that are easier climbs ...
[58]
Study finds complexity to climate changes underway at ... - Big Pivots
Jan 12, 2023 · The date of bare ground has arrived an average of 2.4 days earlier per decade. With this earlier snowmelt, first spring activity advanced ...Missing: zone 20-30
[59]
On an iconic Colorado 14er, climate change is shifting the timing ...
Oct 16, 2025 · As the climate warms and snow melts earlier, plants may begin flowering sooner and pollinators may start flying earlier. But not all species ...Missing: zone 20-30 meters
[60]
Chapter 2: High Mountain Areas
Snow on the ground is an essential and widespread component of the mountain cryosphere. It affects mountain ecosystems and plays a major role for mass movement ...<|separator|>
[61]
Colorado mining town's polluted legacy has a potential for profit, but ...
Sep 14, 2024 · Every minute, 694 gallons (2,627 liters) on average of contaminated mine water flows from Leadville's Superfund site, according to federal ...
[62]
Cheatgrass: The Invasive Fuel - naisma
Jul 7, 2025 · From fueling intense wildfires to outcompeting native vegetation, cheatgrass is one of the most ecologically disruptive invasive species in the region.
[63]
[PDF] Cheatgrass and Wildfire - Colorado State Forest Service
Cheatgrass (downy brome) is a noxious weed that can invade grassland communities and displace native plants; it thrives in disturbed areas. • This weed can ...Missing: Sawatch | Show results with:Sawatch
[64]
volunteer with voc - Volunteers For Outdoor Colorado
REGISTER FOR A PUBLIC PROJECT. trail restoration volunteers. We offer over 100 volunteer opportunities throughout the state each year from April - October.Missing: Mount Massive
[65]
Breaking Ground – Part I | Colorado Fourteeners Initiative
Nov 5, 2024 · ... Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado. Tyler Warren brings some of the most widespread trail work experience as a crew member this season. He's ...
[66]
Mount Massive Wilderness (USFS), US, CO - iNaturalist
Feb 17, 2018 · Learn about the species that live inMount Massive Wilderness (USFS), US, CO!Missing: zones | Show results with:zones