Afternoon storm risk is the line that matters. Everything else is comfort. In summer, plan to be off the ridge before the build-up starts, not as it starts. Forecast for the summit point, adjusted for its elevation · data from Open-Meteo.
Alternate route · Halo Ridge
Overview
Halo Ridge is a long, scenic way to climb Mount of the Holy Cross. You start on the Fall Creek Trail, switchback up Notch Mountain to its stone shelter, then follow a high ridge that curves around the Bowl of Tears. Along the way you cross three 13,000-foot points before reaching the summit.
The route is Difficult Class 2. The hardest part is a steep, blocky climb up the second point, with some loose rock. It is harder, longer and more committing than the standard North Ridge route. It suits strong hikers who are comfortable on talus for hours. The trip is about 15 miles with about 5,200 feet of gain.
Plan on 11 to 14 hours. From the shelter you stay above 13,000 feet for several hours, and there is no safe escape off the ridge until the summit.
Plan of the day
Start by
By 4 a.m. You need to be at the Notch Mountain shelter early to have time for the ridge before storms.
Turnaround
If you are not at the Notch Mountain shelter by about 8:30 a.m., or the sky is not clear, stop there. Once past the shelter, the ridge has no safe way down until you reach the summit.
Crux
The steep blocks on the climb up the middle point on the ridge (about 13,373 feet). The rock is mostly solid, but some pieces move.
Route-finding
Easy to the shelter, since there is a good trail. On the ridge, stay on or near the crest. Be sure you start on the Fall Creek Trail, not the Halfmoon Trail, which the standard route uses.
Water
Several small streams along the lower trail. The last sure water is at the meadow near 11,600 feet. Carry at least 3 to 4 liters from there.
Leave Interstate 70 at Exit 171 and take U.S. 24 to Minturn. About 3 miles past town, go right (west) on the dirt Tigiwon road. Drive about 8.5 miles to the end of the road and the trailhead. The road is a bit rough, but most cars can make it.
From late November until late June, the Tigiwon road is closed to cars, though you may walk or bike it. If you plan to go near the opening date, check with the local Forest Service office to see when the gate will open.
Trail in the treesTalus and screeTundraRidgeExposed to lightning
The line is elevation, the band underneath is the ground, and the numbered dots match the steps below. Mileage and elevations are approximate.
1
Half Moon trailhead 10,320' · 0 mi
The Fall Creek Trail leaves from the parking area's left side, close to the campground entrance. A log bridge takes you over Notch Mountain Creek; then go right (south).
Watch for: Do not take the Halfmoon Trail. That is the standard route.
2
Stream crossing 11,080' · 1.4 mi
The trail climbs gently through forest with a few short steep bits. Past a washed-out area, cross a stream near 11,080 feet on rocks.
Watch for: This stream can run high early in the season.
3
Notch Mountain Trail junction 11,200' · 2.25 mi
Continue past a talus clearing and some muddy spots. At a small clearing, reach the signed junction and turn right onto the Notch Mountain Trail.
4
Meadow near 11,600 feet 11,600' · 2.9 mi
The trail crosses two small streams and switchbacks to a pretty meadow. A stream crosses the trail near the willows at the bottom.
Watch for: Fill up here. This is the last water for many hours.
5
Base of the talus switchbacks 12,400' · 3.8 mi
Climb the meadow on switchbacks, then cross tundra and talus to the foot of a steep rocky slope. More than 30 switchbacks gain over 600 feet in about a mile.
6
Notch Mountain shelter 13,077' · 5 mi
At a large cairn, turn left and follow the trail to the stone shelter. You get a famous view of the cross couloir on Holy Cross. The summit is still more than 2 miles away.
Watch for: Decide here. After this point there is no safe way off the ridge.
7
First point (about 13,248 feet) 13,248' · 5.3 mi
Walk around the south side of the shelter on grass and big talus. Keep to the crest or slightly west (right) of it up to the top of this point.
Watch for: Spider webs are common between the boulders.
8
Low saddle 12,940' · 5.6 mi
Go down to the southwest over grass and talus to the saddle near 12,940 feet. This is the lowest point on the ridge. Cross two small rock towers on or just left of the crest.
9
Second point (about 13,373 feet) 13,373' · 5.9 mi
Climb steep blocks just left of the ridge crest. Near the top the slope eases and the route turns west.
Watch for: This is the crux. Test each hold, since some rocks are loose.
10
Grassy catwalk 13,250' · 6.1 mi
Drop about 120 feet to a flat, grassy strip. It narrows to a few feet wide, with steep drops to the Bowl of Tears on one side and lakes on the other. Then it widens into talus.
11
Third point (about 13,831 feet) 13,831' · 6.7 mi
Climb a talus face left (south) of the crest, then follow the crest over three false summits. Drop to a notch at the top of a north-facing couloir, then reach the high point.
Watch for: Snow can linger here into July. Stay away from the cornice on the right.
12
Saddle with Holy Cross 13,500' · 7 mi
Follow the crest north-northwest down to the saddle near 13,500 feet. Go around harder rock on the left (west) side.
13
Talus bench 13,650' · 7.15 mi
Climb gentle talus north-northeast to a bench at the top of a couloir. Early in the season it may hold patches of snow. Cross or go around them.
14
Mount of the Holy Cross: summit 14,007' · 7.5 mi
Climb steady talus northeast. The slope rounds off just below the top and the summit is right in front of you.
Getting down
Most people descend by the standard North Ridge route, which ends at the same trailhead. That route drops into the valley below the peak and then climbs back up over Half Moon Pass before the last stretch to the car, so save energy for that climb. You can also retrace Halo Ridge, but that is long and slow. Watch your footing on the talus as you tire.
If things go wrong
Before the Notch Mountain shelter, you can turn back on the trail at any time. After the shelter, there is no safe escape off the ridge, since the slopes below are cliffy and loose. If weather turns bad on the ridge, your choices are to go back toward the shelter or keep going toward the summit and the standard route, whichever is closer. Call 911 if someone is hurt. Rescue on this ridge can take a very long time.
Other routes
Every way up Mount of the Holy Cross we list, with its class.
This describes the route in its usual season. Distances and elevations are close estimates for planning. Snow, ice, rockfall, a washed-out road or an afternoon storm can make it a very different climb. Check recent conditions the week you go and turn around when the day tells you to.
