Overview
UN 13,253 is the ranked high point at the south end of the ridge that runs from Notch Mountain. It sits above the old stone shelter built in 1933 for pilgrims. They hiked up to view the snow cross on the 14er, across the Bowl of Tears.
The Fall Creek Trail runs south through quiet forest to the Notch Mountain Trail, which switchbacks up through meadows of bluebells and paintbrush to the shelter. From there you cross about three quarters of a mile of big boulders and blocks south to the summit. It is Class 2, but slow.
The round trip is about 9.8 miles with 3,225 feet of gain. A loop back over Notch Mountain and Half Moon Pass is possible but has tricky route-finding around the notch.
Plan of the day
By 7 a.m.
Be at the shelter by 11 a.m.
The boulders between the shelter and the summit.
Easy on trail. Take the left-hand trail (Fall Creek) at the trailhead.
Streams along the Fall Creek Trail. Filter it.
Getting to the trailhead
Half Moon - Fall Creek
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.
Base towns and camping for this climb
Coming from out of state? See Lodging & Camping for how free camping works, what is closed this year and where to stay.
Before you go
Check these the week of your climb.
Official forecast
The National Weather Service forecast for the summit area, hour by hour. Look for thunderstorm chances and wind above treeline.
NWS point forecast →Directions to the trailhead
Half Moon - Fall Creek. Road conditions near the trailhead change after storms. Check your clearance and have a backup plan for a lower lot.
Get directions →Roads and highways
Closures, construction and winter conditions on the highways that get you there.
COtrip road conditions →Closures and fire rules
Trail closures, fire bans and other alerts from the Forest Service in Colorado. For the latest on your trailhead, call the local ranger district.
Forest Service alerts →Snow on the route?
From fall through early summer, any snow slope can slide. Check the avalanche forecast before you go.
Avalanche forecast →Cell signal
Most trailheads and many summits have little or no signal. Check coverage near the trailhead and carry a satellite messenger or beacon if you can.
FCC coverage map →