Leadville: Halfmoon Road
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This short, surprisingly difficult route leads you from the Mt. Elbert trailhead to the old Champion Mine site. There isn't much in the way of climbing, but the road is steep and littered with rocks. Because there are three deep stream crossings, you may want to save this one for late summer, when water levels are down and water temperatures up.
The ride is an interesting diversion if you are camped in the area for summit attempts on Massive and/or Elbert. The Champion Mine Site is one of the best-preserved mining structures in the region.
The ride is an interesting diversion if you are camped in the area for summit attempts on Massive and/or Elbert. The Champion Mine Site is one of the best-preserved mining structures in the region.
USGS Quadrangles:
Mt. Massive
Ride length: 11.2 miles
Ride type: out-and-back
Riding time: 2 hours
Surface: jeep road
Elevations: start/end 10,060'; max 11,560'; min 10,060'
Total climbing: gain/loss 1,500'
Aerobic level: strenuous (steep, loose climbing)
Technical level: 4 (riding this line cleanly demands mad skills)
Season: August through September
Getting there: from the stoplight at 6th St. and Harrison Ave. (US 24) in downtown Leadville, drive 3.6 miles south on US 24 to the intersection with CO 300. Turn right on CO 300 and drive 0.8 miles to the intersection with CR 11. Turn left on CR 11 and drive 1.3 miles. Turn right, following the signs for Halfmoon Creek and continuing on CR 11 for the next 5.1 miles. Turn left into the Mt. Elbert trailhead parking area. If this lot is full, continue west on CR 11 to find a space in either the Mt. Elbert overflow parking area or the Mt. Massive trailhead parking area.
Ride type: out-and-back
Riding time: 2 hours
Surface: jeep road
Elevations: start/end 10,060'; max 11,560'; min 10,060'
Total climbing: gain/loss 1,500'
Aerobic level: strenuous (steep, loose climbing)
Technical level: 4 (riding this line cleanly demands mad skills)
Season: August through September
Getting there: from the stoplight at 6th St. and Harrison Ave. (US 24) in downtown Leadville, drive 3.6 miles south on US 24 to the intersection with CO 300. Turn right on CO 300 and drive 0.8 miles to the intersection with CR 11. Turn left on CR 11 and drive 1.3 miles. Turn right, following the signs for Halfmoon Creek and continuing on CR 11 for the next 5.1 miles. Turn left into the Mt. Elbert trailhead parking area. If this lot is full, continue west on CR 11 to find a space in either the Mt. Elbert overflow parking area or the Mt. Massive trailhead parking area.
The Ride:
-0.0 - Start from the Mt. Elbert trailhead parking area. Turn left (west) onto FSR 11 and start pedaling. In about 100 yards from the start, pass the Elbert Creek Campground on the right.
-0.4 - Pass the Mt. Massive trailhead on the right. The road gets a little steeper and a little rougher just ahead. Note- this is also the intersection with the Colorado Trail. Bikes are permitted south to Twin Lakes along the COT, but not permitted on the northern leg leading into the Mt. Massive Wilderness Area.
-1.3 - Stay right as FSR 110J peels off to your left. The route now gets down to some serious climbing.
-2.7 - Pass the Mt. Massive Halfmoon trailhead on the right. Get ready to wade across a wide and somewhat deep section of Halfmoon Creek.
-3.8 - Another deep and wide stream crossing. Some beaver dams slightly down stream make this one very deep. Best to shoulder the bike and, as much as possible, follow the faint trail through the willows on the left (south). You'll still need to wade in water that may reach the hem of your shorts, but you'll avoid the deepest sections of the eastern bank. Once through the water, the grade mellows as you pedal through a wide basin that boxes at the eastern flanks of Mt. Champion and the northern slopes of French Mountain.
-4.9 - Yet another chance to soak your feet in a stream crossing.
-5.6 - A gate marks the end of the outbound ride. Several buildings left over from the mine's glory days are visible from this point. Take a moment and try to imagine enduring a winter at this site. Return along the same route.
-0.4 - Pass the Mt. Massive trailhead on the right. The road gets a little steeper and a little rougher just ahead. Note- this is also the intersection with the Colorado Trail. Bikes are permitted south to Twin Lakes along the COT, but not permitted on the northern leg leading into the Mt. Massive Wilderness Area.
-1.3 - Stay right as FSR 110J peels off to your left. The route now gets down to some serious climbing.
-2.7 - Pass the Mt. Massive Halfmoon trailhead on the right. Get ready to wade across a wide and somewhat deep section of Halfmoon Creek.
-3.8 - Another deep and wide stream crossing. Some beaver dams slightly down stream make this one very deep. Best to shoulder the bike and, as much as possible, follow the faint trail through the willows on the left (south). You'll still need to wade in water that may reach the hem of your shorts, but you'll avoid the deepest sections of the eastern bank. Once through the water, the grade mellows as you pedal through a wide basin that boxes at the eastern flanks of Mt. Champion and the northern slopes of French Mountain.
-4.9 - Yet another chance to soak your feet in a stream crossing.
-5.6 - A gate marks the end of the outbound ride. Several buildings left over from the mine's glory days are visible from this point. Take a moment and try to imagine enduring a winter at this site. Return along the same route.
Topo with elevation profile:
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