Sawatch Range
July 3 2008:
Six year old Kessler and I left the trailhead in the afternoon and backpacked over Halfmoon Pass and over to Cross Creek where we camped. There were several snowfields to hike across. The stream was really high which made for an interesting crossing. We had a nice camp at Cross Creek.
Kessler and Mount Jackson as viewed from Halfmoon Pass on July 3 2008.
Kessler approaching Mount of the Holy Cross on July 3 2008.
Mount of the Holy Cross as viewed from near Cross Creek.
This is our camp at Cross Creek on our climb to Mount of the Holy Cross.
July 4 2008:
At 6:15 am we left for the summit of Mount of the Holy Cross. We reached the top just before 11 am, but spent over an hour on the summit on a bluebird day. We hiked down the mountain and packed up camp and at an early dinner before climbing back over Halfmoon Pass. We had a second dinner on Halfmoon Pass and didn’t arrive back at the trailhead until 7:30 PM, over a 13 hour day, though we took our time on the climb out over Halfmoon Pass and down to the trailhead. With 4300 feet (1310 meters) altitude gain and 4800 feet (1460 meters) of descent on day 2 the peak was a hard earned prize for any six year old.
These are the lower slopes of the North Ridge of Mount of the Holy Cross as viewed on July 4 2008.
Kessler with the looming North Face of Mount of the Holy Cross in the background.
Kessler climbing the North Ridge on Mount of the Holy Cross. July 4 2008.
Mount of the Holy Cross on July 4 2008.
Kessler climbing the North Ridge of Mount of the Holy Cross on July 4 2008.
These are some of the nice views seen from the North Ridge of Mount of the Holy Cross. This is looking southwest.
This is looking down the rather flat part of the ridge on Mount of the Holy Cross as viewed on July 4 2008. The Gore Range looms in the background.
These are some of the nice views seen from the North Ridge of Mount of the Holy Cross. This is looking southwest.
This is very near the summit of Mount of the Holy Cross on July 4 2008. The Elk Range is in the far distance.
Kessler on the summit of Mount of the Holy Cross on July 4 2008.
This is the Gore Range as viewed from the summit of Mount of the Holy Cross on July 4 2008.
Halfmoon Pass on Mount of the Holy Cross on July 4 2008.
