Sawatch Range · Colorado 13er · No. 63 of the 13ers
North Ridge over Holy Cross Ridge
UN 13,786, 13,786'
DifficultyClass 2+
Round trip15 mi
Elevation gain6,345'
TrailheadHalf Moon
Trailhead elevation10,340'
Less traffic, less margin
This describes the route on a dry summer day. Most 13ers see few people, so there may be no one along behind you. Check recent conditions the week you go, carry a map, tell someone your plan, and turn around when the day tells you to.
UN 13,786 is the next high point south of Holy Cross Ridge on the long ridge from Mount of the Holy Cross. It is reached by going over both of them.
You take the Holy Cross trail over Half Moon Pass, down to East Cross Creek and up the north ridge to the 14er's summit, then cross the boulders to Holy Cross Ridge and keep going south a mile. It is Class 2+, never exposed, but almost all of it above the creek is on boulders, and you must come back the same way.
The round trip is about 15 miles with 6,345 feet of gain. Many people split it with a camp near East Cross Creek; expect heavy mosquitoes early in summer.
Plan of the day
Start by
By 3:30 a.m., or at first light from East Cross Creek.
Turnaround
Be on Holy Cross Ridge by 11 a.m.
Crux
Endless boulder talus and the climb back up to Half Moon Pass.
Route-finding
Moderate. On the way down the 14er's north ridge, don't drift west.
Water
East Cross Creek is the last water. Filter it.
This week on the summit
Conditions on the summit
LoadingFetching the forecast for 13,786'…
—Summit temp now
—Sustained wind
—Gusting to
—Freezing level
Today
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Tomorrow
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Day three
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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.
From I-70, take the Minturn exit (Exit 171) and drive south on US 24 through Minturn. About 3.5 miles past the sharp turn at the north end of town, turn right onto Tigiwon Road (Forest Road 707), just before the highway crosses Eagle Creek. From Leadville, the turnoff is on the left just after the highway crosses the Eagle River below Battle Mountain.
Tigiwon Road is a long, graded gravel road with many turns and switchbacks. It runs about 8.5 miles to the Half Moon trailhead. Most passenger cars can make it when it is dry, but a crossover or SUV is safer. The road often does not open until mid-June. The lot is small and fills early on summer weekends; you may have to park well back down the road. The Half Moon and Fall Creek trails both start here, so make sure you take the Half Moon trail.
Trail in the treesRidgeTalus and screeExposed 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 10,340' · 0 mi
Take the Half Moon trail toward Mount of the Holy Cross. Do not take the Fall Creek trail, which starts from the same area. The trail climbs gently through forest.
Watch for: Two trails start here. Take the Half Moon trail.
2
Forest climb 11,000' · 0.8 mi
The trail climbs at a steady, easy grade through the trees and into open meadows with wildflowers in summer.
3
Half Moon Pass 11,600' · 1.7 mi
Reach the pass. Mount of the Holy Cross comes into view across the valley to the west. From here the trail drops down the other side.
Watch for: Remember you must climb back up to this pass at the end of the day.
4
Descent to the creek 11,100' · 2.3 mi
The trail drops steadily through forest toward East Cross Creek. Rocks and roots make the footing uneven.
5
East Cross Creek 10,700' · 3.1 mi
Cross East Cross Creek. This is the low point of the route and the last reliable water. There are campsites in this area. Fill your bottles here.
Watch for: Last water. Carry enough for the rest of the climb.
6
North ridge trail 11,300' · 3.6 mi
The trail heads west a short way, then turns south and climbs steeply through the trees up the north ridge of Mount of the Holy Cross.
7
Treeline 11,800' · 4.1 mi
The trees end and the ridge opens up. The rest of the climb is on talus and big boulders. Look for cairns marking the route up the ridge.
Watch for: Decision point. If it is late or the weather is poor, turn back here.
8
North ridge talus 12,600' · 4.6 mi
Climb the ridge over talus and boulders. The path is faint in places. Stay near the crest and follow the cairns.
Watch for: Big boulders can shift. Take your time.
9
Upper north ridge 13,400' · 5.2 mi
The ridge steepens toward the summit. Keep following cairns on the boulders. Note landmarks along the ridge to help you stay on route on the way down.
10
Mount of the Holy Cross 14,005' · 5.7 mi
The 14er summit is a big, rocky top. Look southwest down the ridge toward Holy Cross Ridge and the saddle between them. Check the weather and time before going on.
Watch for: Key decision point. If weather is building, go back down the north ridge.
11
Southwest ridge 13,680' · 5.95 mi
Walk southwest down the ridge. The rock improves around this elevation and travel gets a bit easier. Keep heading toward the saddle.
12
Saddle 13,500' · 6.2 mi
Reach the low saddle below Holy Cross Ridge. From here you climb back up on big boulders.
13
Holy Cross Ridge 13,850' · 6.5 mi
Scramble up the large boulders to the small, rocky summit. It is slow going and there is no trail. From the top you can see the long ridge running south and back north to Mount of the Holy Cross.
Watch for: Do not linger. You still have a long way back over the 14er.
14
Holy Cross Ridge saddle 13,400' · 7 mi
Head south off Holy Cross Ridge, losing about 450 feet on broken rock and boulders.
15
Summit 13,786' · 7.5 mi
Climb back up the same kind of boulder talus to the top, about a mile from Holy Cross Ridge.
Watch for: Slow, tiring boulders.
Getting down
Go back over Holy Cross Ridge and Mount of the Holy Cross. Contouring below either summit on the west side means huge, unstable boulders and takes even longer. An untested option drops east from the next saddle south into the Seven Sisters Lakes cirque and climbs back to the Fall Creek Trail; it may need an ice axe.
If things go wrong
Back over Holy Cross Ridge to the 14er's north ridge.
3D flyover
No 3D flyover for this peak
Above the Holy Cross trail the route crosses trailless boulder ridges. A flyover only works when there is a set trail to trace. Without one, the line would be a guess, and a guess could send you the wrong way on the mountain. Use the step-by-step route with a good map and GPS track instead.
See the trail on video
No video yet
We haven’t found a good video of this route that matches the way we describe it. The route strip, junctions and 3D flyover show the way in the meantime.