Is it right for you?
Notch Mountain is a named but unranked summit northeast of Mount of the Holy Cross, with a great view of the 14er's famous cross. It is named for the deep notch on the ridge south of it, toward the old stone shelter.
You start on the busy Holy Cross trail to Half Moon Pass, turn left on a fainter path, climb grass toward Point 12,743, and then hop talus along the north ridge, mostly left of the crest at first and then right of it. It is Class 2. There is no water on the way.
The round trip is about 6.2 miles with 2,917 feet of gain and takes about three hours up. You can also go on south through the notch to the shelter and UN 13,253 and make a loop on the Notch Mountain Trail.
Plan of the day
By 7 a.m.
Be past Point 12,743 by 10:30 a.m.
Talus on the upper ridge.
Moderate. Look for the side path just past the tall cairn at Half Moon Pass.
None past the trailhead. Carry it all.
This week on the summit
Conditions on the summit
Loading Fetching the forecast for 13,243'…—
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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.
Getting there
Half Moon
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. 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 →