Instructions are the same as for the standard approach to Holy Cross. The Fall Creek trailhead is at the same location as the Halfmoon Trailhead at the end of the Tigiwon Road. The trail heads south from the parking lot into a forested area.

Route Description

The route heads southward through the forest on a good hiking trail, bound for Lake Constantine, a 5 mile hike. The trail will cross a number of erosion gullies, but it was in good shape in 1992. Half way to Lake Constantine, a branch trail, labled with a sign at that time, branches westward and begins climbing up Notch Mountain, gradually at first, and in earnest later in the form of many switchbacks. As the trail ascends the mountain above treeline, many alpine lakes and secluded valleys of the Holy Cross Wilderness unfold below. The Gore mountains are to the north, the Tenmile Range to the East and the Mosquito Range is to the southeast. This steep climb westward of 2.8 miles (lots of switchbacks!) leads you to the shelter house atop Notch Mountain's north-south running ridge. From here, a classic view of Holy Cross can be viewed. Take pictures!

Proceed southward along the ridgeline, which eventually curves southwest toward Point 13,248, which you can go over or contour around. The ridge narrows at the top but can be easily traversed on the southeast side as you gain Point 13,373. The ridge then angles directly west and broadens considerably as you approach Point 13,831, which you can ascend directly or contour on the south just below the summit to the west side. From here you angle northward, following the ridge, dropping about 300 feet to 13,400ft. Proceed northward to the Mount of the Holy Cross, which has been looking down upon you all along. As the ridge rises toward the summit, so do you, finishing your climb scrambling up large Class 2 boulders. From the shelter house, depending on how you do this route is another 3 miles. " How you do this route" means: how many side trips you take to peer off the ridge and take photos and explore. This is a fun alpine playground!

If you are camped at the trailhead and the weather is cooperating, you may elect to return the same way. You may wish to return to the trailhead via the standard route (shorter distance but more elevation gain), but either way, this is a long day. If a hasty descent is required, return the standard route and wait out the weather. Halo Ridge is high and vulnerable to nasty weather. If you must proceed over Halfmoon Pass on the standard route in weather, at least you are at a lower altitude, breaching treeline only briefly. If you are camped at Lake Constantine, or further up the Fall Creek trail, return the same route you came up. In bad weather, this could be a grim but necessary prospect.

If you camp at Lake Constantine or higher, a fun variation is the following. Proceed southwest up the trail, which I recall gets scketchy at times (perhaps this has changed due to the popularity of the area) toward Whitney Peak. Keep an eye out for a fork in the stream, near timberline. This tends to be a soggy area, but following the stream is essential. The right fork (not the left) comes down from the basin containing the Tuhare Lakes. Gorgeous waterfalls cascading down tilted slabs of flat granite are your cue. Unless this area has become popular, you'll be blazing your own trail, which in this place, is an exciting undertaking. Follow this stream to the lower Tuhare Lake at 12,090 ft. From here, strike north toward what is the south side of the Halo Ridge and Point 13,373. Your climb will be on initial solid rock, tundra and some loose talus and scree as it steepens near the top. With judicious route finding, you should not exceed Class 2 difficulty.

Once on top, you intersect the Halo Ridge route. Again, weather permitting, you can climb Holy Cross following the Halo Ridge. Consider how long it took you to get to this point before proceeding, and keep an eye on the weather. Whether you climb the mountain or just visit the ridge, return to camp retracing your steps.

Do not attempt the complete round trip of Halo Ridge in questionable weather, or if you are not confident that your physical stamina will carry you through to your starting point. Doing sections over several trips makes it pleasant, and you get to see the Holy Cross Wilderness on an intimate level. Variations are many, and there is much to explore here. If you are experienced, you'll see plenty of opportunities to bail off the ridge safely. Just be sure you bail in the right direction. If you are on the Holy Cross Ridge, south of the summit, and you are camped in the Fall Creek area, you must get around or over Point 13, 831 before you can drop into the Tuhare Lakes area and eventually back to your camp. Be mindful of your location and distance traveled, how long it took you to get there and how long it will take you to get back to Point A!

There is much to see in this striking area. A side trip to Tuhare Lakes, Fall Creek Pass, Seven Sisters Lakes or the broad summit of Whitney Peak are all worth the effort. I highly recommend any of these alternative activities. Be safe and enjoy the Holy Cross Wilderness!

See this map.

Mileage:
Fall Creek trailhead to Notch Mountain Trail: 2.5 miles
Fall Creek Trail to Shelter: 2.8 miles
Shelter to Holy Cross Summit: 3 miles
Holy Cross Summit to Halfmoon Trailhead: 6 miles
Fall Creek Trailhead to Lake Constantine: 5 miles
Lake Constantine to Halo Ridge/Point 13,373: 2 miles

Be sure to view the photos on this page or in the photo section. They illustrate the conditions you'll encouner. The captions include information that will help you prepare accordingly and get you familiar with the area. Also, be sure to visit Kane's excellent Holy Cross Ridge page and his route description of the Halo Ridge Route.

More Halo Ridge Area Pictures

Essential Gear

No essential technical climbing gear is required. However, bring warm clothing and rain gear in the event of typically nasty Holy Cross weather. Bring a 7.5 minute topo map of the area (Mount of the Holy Cross quad). If you fail to bring your camera, you may want to jump off the cliff into the Bowl of Tears!

Miscellaneous Info

If you have information about this route that doesn't pertain to any of the other sections, please add it here.

Images