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Holy Cross - Tigiwon Road Closed for 2011

PostPosted: Thu Jun 23, 2011 10:00 pm
by chicagotransplant
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.

Re: Holy Cross - Tigiwon Road Closed for 2011

PostPosted: Thu Jun 23, 2011 10:25 pm
by Sarah Simon
Thanks for the update, Mr. "Anything Less Than 3 Thirteeners in a Day is a Waste of Time" Mike. :)

Take care...

Re: Holy Cross - Tigiwon Road Closed for 2011

PostPosted: Thu Jun 23, 2011 11:57 pm
by mtnhiker13
I was going to post this last night and the system wouldn't let me post. I asked Bob Sihler to post it for me in my stead. I see Mike beat him to it. I posted the announcement on the Holy Cross page last night.

Re: Holy Cross - Tigiwon Road Closed for 2011

PostPosted: Fri Jun 24, 2011 12:20 am
by chicagotransplant
mtnhiker13 wrote:I was going to post this last night and the system wouldn't let me post. I asked Bob Sihler to post it for me in my stead. I see Mike beat him to it. I posted the announcement on the Holy Cross page last night.


I was going to PM you to have you add to the HC page, but saw you did it already, way to be on top on things, its nice to see mountain pages that are so carefully maintained 8)

Any word on an SP gathering for this July? And if not, can you push it to August? I will be going up Rainier our usual weekend, and then have family in town the following...

PS - Sarah, its part of my "no peak left behind" policy. That's just how us super peak nerds roll I guess :ugeek:

Re: Holy Cross - Tigiwon Road Closed for 2011

PostPosted: Fri Jun 24, 2011 12:30 am
by Sarah Simon
chicagotransplant wrote:PS - Sarah, its part of my "no peak left behind" policy. That's just how us super peak nerds roll I guess :ugeek:


Yeah, after writing my comment, I soon after stumble upon THIS trip report: Hayden Pass to North Decker Creek Traverse and promptly discover you were a participant in the madness. Point proven. :mrgreen: Indeed, the Super Peak Nerd is alive and well in Colorado. 8) Glad to see you're not slowing down any...

Re: Holy Cross - Tigiwon Road Closed for 2011

PostPosted: Fri Jun 24, 2011 7:29 pm
by shanahan96
sarah.simon wrote:Glad to see you're not slowing down any...


i like the way you phrased this, it's so fitting.

jamie

Re: Holy Cross - Tigiwon Road Closed for 2011

PostPosted: Fri Jun 24, 2011 7:45 pm
by Pete Castricone
Thanks, I was headed up there and may have been a bit disappointed to realize I'd have to walk that road again.