ImageEvent
Public Gallery>Paul Yarborough>Nature and Landscapes>
Mount Massive
Early in the morning on Tuesday, 27 June, 2017, my good Buddy Dave Granillo and I headed out to hike the 14,429 foot peak of Mount Massive located in the Sawatch range near the mountain town of Leadville, about 2 ½ hours west of Denver, Colorado.  The weather was mild and sunny with temperatures at the peak holding in the mid 50’s, and with a powerful 30+ M.P.H. wind out of the west.  Though still spiritual and therapeutic in nature, this was a particularly grueling trek for me.  Walking was labored and awkward due to the two facts that one, my arm was still in a sling as a result of the recent surgical repair to my clavicle (collar bone/cycling accident), and two, I had, without any later regret mind you, decided to bring both of the big cameras up the hill with me in their respective belt holsters, adding both weight and bulk.  Dave powered up the hill like a mountain goat, and his patience with me that day is greatly appreciated!  A truly amazing journey that started well below tree line, spanned more than 13.5 miles round trip, and ascended close to 4400 vertical feet in total.  The pictures are arranged chronologically, and there was a bit of a haze that day on the way up, so you will notice some better valley and long-range shots towards the end.  Please enjoy and I always welcome and enjoy any comments or feedback you may have!

If you like what you see, don't forget to follow me on Instagram @ the_mogul_skier.  Thanks!
27 June, 2017Showing 1-35 of 351158 visitsAlbum by Paul YarboroughPhotos by Paul Yarborough
Enlarge photo 1 Trail Map. We took the longer trail on the right that goes through the forest.
Enlarge photo 2 Sunrise over Frisco Colorado.
Enlarge photo 3 Our approach to Mount Massive.
Enlarge photo 4
Enlarge photo 5 Dave noticed the immense amount of forest debris that seemed to speak to a long since past windstorm that ravaged the area.
Enlarge photo 6 Enlarge photo 7 Thick trees.
Enlarge photo 8 This and the next three show the changing and evolving trail as we climb through the forest towards tree line.
Enlarge photo 9 Enlarge photo 10 Enlarge photo 11 Enlarge photo 12 Me shooting. Loaded for bear. (Dave Granillo photo)
Enlarge photo 13 The "succulent" in appearance plants I was shooting.
Enlarge photo 14 Now emerging from tree line, we get our first unobstructed view of both a 13,000+ peak to the left (south) of Massive, and massive itself to the far right.
Enlarge photo 15 Mount Massive on the right.
Enlarge photo 16
Enlarge photo 17 Enlarge photo 18 Enlarge photo 19 Enlarge photo 20 Mount Massive peak. If it wasn't for the sling, you wouldn't even know it was me!  lol.  :o) (Dave Granillo photo)
Enlarge photo 21 Dave.
Enlarge photo 22 Enlarge photo 23 This and the next 5 are all various views from Mount Massive's 14,429 foot peak.  This is due south.
Enlarge photo 24 West.
Enlarge photo 25 Northeast.
Enlarge photo 26 South, southeast.
Enlarge photo 27 East.
Enlarge photo 28 Dave looks southwest soaking in the vastness that is the Colorado Rockies.
Enlarge photo 29 As we begin the descent, Dave took the easy way down!
Enlarge photo 30 Enlarge photo 31 Crossing snow fields.
Enlarge photo 32
Enlarge photo 33 Enlarge photo 34 Enlarge photo 35 An abandoned shack noticed while leaving the Mount Massive wilderness.