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  "description": "​A sparse winter opened the Rockies early, and the summer of 14 'ers is officially underway. I kicked off a high-mileage season in Halfmoon Creek to tackle the Mount Massive loop—navigating packed trailheads, tinderbox conditions, and a brutal 1,500-foot-per-mile descent.",
  "path": "/mount-massive/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-06-06T22:26:11.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.thealpinereport.com",
  "tags": [
    "Mount Massive | StravaView Seppi Stiegler’s Trail Run on June 6, 2026 | StravaStrava"
  ],
  "textContent": "### Trip Report 6/6/26\n\nSan Isabel National Forest\n\nA sparse winter in the West has delivered its second act: an early summer. Record-low snowpack in Colorado has opened up the Rockies early for peak bagging. While I plan to take advantage of it, I do so with the sobering recognition that much of this region is already a tinderbox, ready for a spark.\n\nI rolled into Halfmoon Creek on June 5th to find packed trailheads and a fire ban already in effect. It feels completely like summer, and the 14ers await as I bed down under the lodgepoles, ready to kick off a week of running in some new territory. The idea for this trip came to me while running Quandary back in November. At the time, I knew it was a rabbit hole—and for now, down we go.\n\nSummit Mt. Massive\n\nMount Massive gets its name from its sheer size against the skyline. Topping out at 14,427 feet, it stands as the third-highest peak in the lower 48 states. Additionally, its massive bulk gives it the title of having the largest acreage above 14,000 feet, narrowly edging out Mount Rainier.\n\nThe Mount Massive loop starts at the Mount Massive trailhead just beyond the Elbert Creek campground, where I chose to spend the night. Weekend parking had already filled at both the Massive and Elbert trailheads by the time I woke up at 5:30 a.m. It wasn't a problem for me, but it's worth noting for anyone hoping for a weekend of solitude. The line of travel takes you along the CDT/Colorado Trail for a few mellow miles before a well-marked turn onto the Mount Massive East Slope Trail. The real climb begins here, drawing you across peaceful high-alpine meadows tucked into the bowls below the summit.\n\nMt. Massive East Slope Trail\n\nOnce the ridge is gained, you turn north and work your way over several false summits. Views from the peak are broad—most notably Mount Elbert to the south, and the Elk Range with the Maroon Bells and Snowmass recognizable to the west. Looking north reveals the Gore Range, while the eastern view is dominated by Mount Sherman.\n\nView South of the Sawatch Range\n\nThe loop portion of the route begins after a brief backtrack across the summit ridge. The drop down the west switchbacks into the Halfmoon trail and creek is incredibly steep. I took solace in my direction of travel as I plunged toward Halfmoon at a knee-pounding rate of nearly 1,500 feet per mile. My legs survived, and my pace picked up as the grade finally leveled out onto the Halfmoon Jeep trail. I followed this dusty road back to Elbert Creek to close the loop.\n\nMt. Massive Loop Map. Scan QR to save.\n\n### 🗺️ Line of Travel:\n\nMt. Massive Trailhead ➔ CDT/Colorado Trail ➔ Mt. Massive East Slope ➔ Summit ➔ Mt. Massive/North Halfmoon 1451 ➔ North Halfmoon Lakes Trail 1485 ➔ Halfmoon Road ➔ Mt. Massive Trailhead.\n\n### 📍Beta:\n\nSnow is almost melted off the route and any crossing was inconsequential. Expect busy weekends. Packed trailheads and campgrounds can be an obstacle, so plan accordingly. Afternoon thunderheads and building cloud cover are common here, even despite a great forecast. An early start was rewarded with better views and safer passage.\n\n### 📊 Route Stats:\n\n  * Distance: 14.05 miles\n  * Elevation Gain: 4,573 feet\n  * Moving Time: 3:18:11\n  * Average Pace: 14.06 / mile\n\n\n\n### 👟 Gear List:\n\n  * Shoes: Dynafit Ultra Pro 2\n  * Pack: Black Diamond Distance 12 Pack\n  * Water: MSR Trailshot Pump\n\nMount Massive | StravaView Seppi Stiegler’s Trail Run on June 6, 2026 | StravaStrava\n\nMt. Massive, Halfmoon Creek Descent, Halfmoon Creek, Summit View West to Snowmass, Mt. Massive Trailhead x2",
  "title": "The Second Act: Summer Comes Early on Mount Massive",
  "updatedAt": "2026-06-08T00:27:32.623Z"
}