Mount Massive facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Massive |
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Mt. Massive
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 14,428 ft (4398 m) NAVD88 |
| Prominence | 1961 ft (598 m) |
| Isolation | 5.06 mi (8.14 km) |
| Listing |
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| Geography | |
 Mount Massive
Location in Colorado
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| Location | Lake County, Colorado, U.S. |
| Parent range | Sawatch Range, Highest summit of the Massive Massif |
| Topo map | USGS 7.5' topographic map Mount Massive, Colorado |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | 1873 by Henry Gannett |
| Easiest route | Hike, class 2 |
Mount Massive is a very tall mountain in the Rocky Mountains of North America. It is the second-highest peak in the Rocky Mountains and in the state of Colorado. This huge mountain is part of the Sawatch Range. It stands at 14,428-foot (4,398 m) tall.
Mount Massive is located in the Mount Massive Wilderness area. This wilderness is part of the San Isabel National Forest. It is about 10.6 miles (17.1 km) west-southwest of the city of Leadville in Lake County, Colorado, United States.
Mount Massive is just a little bit taller than Mount Harvard (by 7 feet (2.1 m)). But it is a bit shorter than Mount Elbert (by 12 feet (3.7 m)). Mount Elbert is the tallest mountain in Colorado. Mount Massive is the third-highest peak in the contiguous United States, after Mount Whitney and Mount Elbert.
Contents
Exploring Mount Massive's History and Shape
Mount Massive was first explored and climbed in 1873. This happened during the Hayden Survey, which mapped parts of the American West. Henry Gannett, a member of the survey team, was the first person known to climb it.
Why is it Called Mount Massive?
The mountain gets its name from its huge, long shape. It has five different peaks, and all of them are over 14,000 ft (4,300 m) high! The ridge connecting these peaks is over 3 mi (4.8 km) long. This means Mount Massive has more land above 14,000 ft (4,300 m) than any other mountain in the 48 connected states. It just barely beats Mount Rainier in this way.
Mount Elbert, which is 14,440 ft (4,400 m) tall, is Mount Massive's closest neighbor among the very tall mountains. It is about 5 mi (8.0 km) south-southeast of Mount Massive.
A Friendly Mountain Rivalry
After the Great Depression, there was a fun disagreement about which mountain was taller: Mount Massive or Mount Elbert. They are only 12 feet (3.7 m) different in height! People who loved Mount Massive would build big piles of rocks on its top to try and make it taller. But then, people who supported Mount Elbert would come and knock them down! It was a friendly rivalry between mountain fans.
Hiking Mount Massive
You can hike to the top of Mount Massive! There is a hiking trail on its eastern side. This path is considered a class 2 hike. This means it's a bit challenging but doesn't usually require special climbing gear.
The round trip for this hike is about 13.6 mi (21.9 km). Hikers gain about 4,500 ft (1,400 m) in elevation from the start of the trail to the summit.
Nature and Wildlife on Mount Massive
The Mount Massive wilderness area has several lakes that were formed by glaciers. Glaciers are like huge, slow-moving rivers of ice.
Plants and Trees
The lower parts of the mountain are covered with forests of lodgepole pine trees. As you go higher up the mountain, these trees change to Engelmann Spruce and Fir trees. The treeline is just below 12,000 feet (3,700 m). This is the elevation where trees stop growing because it's too cold and windy.
Animals of Mount Massive
Many different animals live on Mount Massive. You might see the American pika, which is a small mammal that looks a bit like a rabbit. There are also mountain goats, elk, mule deer, and moose. Birds like the Canada jay and martin fly around. And you might spot a yellow-bellied marmot, which is a type of large ground squirrel.
See also
In Spanish: Monte Massive para niños
