Holy Cross - Tigiwon Road Closed for 2011
Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2011 10:00 pm
Heads up to anyone with plans to climb Mt of The Holy Cross this year, due to the many beetle killed hazard trees along the road, the Forest Services is keeping the road closed this year to take down the dangerous trees. This work is expected to last until Oct 15. So far hikers and bikers will be allowed up the road, but if they feel safety is threatened, they may close to them as well.
http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20110622/NEWS/110629951/1078&ParentProfile=1062
Alternate routes are long and complicated, with off trail talus scrambling on potentially loose slopes with no trails or cairns. They would start by using the Fall Creek trail to access the Tuhare Lakes and ascending steep talus to the crest of Halo Ridge below the 13831' summit of Holy Cross Ridge... or by climbing over PT 13786 and PT 13831 on HCR from the Seven Sisters Lakes.
Holy Cross has a reputation for getting people lost on its standard route which is a well marked and well traveled route. To that effect I urge people to very carefully consider before attempting Holy Cross this year, this is NOT a beginner mountain from the south. The routes are not clearly marked and will involve intuitive off trail route finding where you and your climbing partners will likely be the only people around, possibly for several days. This is not a pedestrian route for casual hikers/mountain climbers, but can be a very rewarding one for people who have the right route finding and backcountry skills. I by no means mean to say everyone should avoid the peak, but the majority of the typical Holy Cross hikers should wait until next year due to the complicated off trail route finding required and the remoteness and lack of popularity of this mountain from the south.
http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20110622/NEWS/110629951/1078&ParentProfile=1062
Alternate routes are long and complicated, with off trail talus scrambling on potentially loose slopes with no trails or cairns. They would start by using the Fall Creek trail to access the Tuhare Lakes and ascending steep talus to the crest of Halo Ridge below the 13831' summit of Holy Cross Ridge... or by climbing over PT 13786 and PT 13831 on HCR from the Seven Sisters Lakes.
Holy Cross has a reputation for getting people lost on its standard route which is a well marked and well traveled route. To that effect I urge people to very carefully consider before attempting Holy Cross this year, this is NOT a beginner mountain from the south. The routes are not clearly marked and will involve intuitive off trail route finding where you and your climbing partners will likely be the only people around, possibly for several days. This is not a pedestrian route for casual hikers/mountain climbers, but can be a very rewarding one for people who have the right route finding and backcountry skills. I by no means mean to say everyone should avoid the peak, but the majority of the typical Holy Cross hikers should wait until next year due to the complicated off trail route finding required and the remoteness and lack of popularity of this mountain from the south.