Mt. Massive - Summit climb via the east slopes route, with maps & route description.

Climbing Colorado’s 2nd highest peak on June 15, 2022 by way of its standard east slopes route. Mt. Massive, with 5 main points well above 14,000 feet, is also arguably the state’s largest 14er. It is just west of the Arkansas Valley, and just north of its 14er neighbor Mt. Elbert, the state’s highest point. The mountain is conspicuously visible from nearby Leadville, the highest incorporated city in the U.S., and indeed dominates the view. This was my 2nd time climbing this mountain. The route takes me through more idyllic mountain forests, across streams and meadows, up the wide stretches of this imposing mountain’s vast (and wind-swept) slopes, and finally over the long high traverse to a summit that on this day held spectacular far-reaching views. In this video, as always I provide maps, route description, and details of the route from trailhead to summit on both the ascent and key points of the descent as well. Also, I have included a discussion about the history of the area and the story of the peak’s embattled name. Enjoy the footage!! For my video of climbing nearby 14er La Plata Peak, CO.’s 5th highest mtn., go here:    • La Plata Peak - NW Ridge route, with ...  . For other high mountain hikes and climbs:    • Mountain Hikes and Climbs  . Here is a table of contents for this video:

0:00 Opening images, and driving to the TH.
1:42 Different views of the mountain and Leadville, and their history including the saga of the attempts to change the peak's name.
7:06 Route overview and statistics, and arriving at the TH.
8:54 Stretch #1: ~10,050' to ~11,200': TH to CO. trail/Mt. Massive trail junction.
19:59 Stretch #2: ~11,200' to ~13,900': trail junction to the South Massive/Mt. Massive saddle.
35:41 Stretch #3: ~13,900' to the top, 14,421': Final rocky ridge stretch.
45:20 Terrific views at the top.
49:47 Descending: Summit back to TH.
58:59 Final thoughts on the day.
1:02:31 Final images, and a poem written in 1916 by a Leadville local in opposition to changing Mt. Massive's name.
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Music selections:
1) “Can-Can” - Offenbach (YouTube audio library)
2) “Folk Tap Harp” - Unicorn Heads (YouTube audio library)
3) “Snowy Peaks pt II” - Chris Haugen (YouTube audio library)
4) “Argonne” - Zachariah Hickman (YouTube audio library)
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Additional sources:
1) For maps: U.S. Geological Survey - USGS
2) "A Climbing Guide to Colorado's Fourteeners" by Walter R. Borneman and Lyndon J. Lampert. Pruett Publishing, 2nd edition, 1988.
3) "Colorado's Fourteeners - From Hikes to Climbs" by Gerry Roach. Fulcrum Publishing, 3rd edition, 2011.
4) 14ers.com: Mt. Massive/routes
5) For signs: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture - USDA
6) "Colorado's Highest - The History of Naming the 14,000-Foot Peaks" by Jeri L. Norgren. John Fielder Publishing, 2020.