Belated trip report…My hiking partner and I did a loop of Mt Massive to Mt. Elbert near Leadville, CO in September.
We left from the Mt. Massive North TH, descended on the South towards Halfmoon Creek and camped the first night near the 4WD road leading up to Iron Mike's Mine. The next day we headed up the road to Iron Mike's and ascended to a saddle between Frasco and French.
We ascended French and then ridge walked and ascended Frasco. After Frasco we continued on to Casco…as we approached some weather moved in quickly and we sat out some hail and rain before the final push to the top. We didn't hang long as a storm was approaching, so we quickly descended to the saddle between Casco and Bull Hill and set-up camp for the night.
The next morning we ridge walked to and then ascended the coyly named Bull Hill, which turned out to be the toughest ascent of the trip, with some serious scrambling.
After Bull Hill we continued on to Elbert, a long but uneventful climb up the South ridge. We were a little disappointed in Elbert, lot's of trash, signs, a flag, business cards, etc…
We made the final descent down the N. Elbert trail and back to the car.
This was our 1st (and 2nd) 14er and was a trip full of challenge for a couple of flatlanders. We learned a bit and pushed ourselves, and the weather mostly held, other than the thunderstorm on Casco…overall a great trip.
-Mark in St. Louis
