Holy Cross, Mount of the Climber's Log

Viewing: 1-20 of 236
Brad Snider

Brad Snider - Sep 21, 2004 9:41 pm

Route Climbed: North Ridge-Halo Ridge Loop Date Climbed: July 31, 2004  Sucess!

My 9th Fourteener. My friend Arthur came along to conquer his first mountain ever, and he handled the elevation probably better than I did! Beautiful day; never had to worry about the weather.

Larry V

Larry V - Sep 18, 2004 7:47 pm

Route Climbed: Halo Ridge route Date Climbed: July 1995  Sucess!

This was the year the Colorado Rockies had so much snow, and we were in deep snow much of the way on this climb. Ice ax saved my life on steep ridge at one point. Aaron and I climbed together this time. Attempted it a week earlier with party of four but were turned back by the conditions. I recommend this route for the spectacular views, not that the other routes aren't beautiful too. We returned by the more standard, north ridge route, which was definitely easier. A long day!

Gareth

Gareth - Sep 11, 2004 1:38 pm

Route Climbed: Halo Ridge Date Climbed: September 2, 2004  Sucess!

I loved the elegant rounded lines of this mountain; perfect. The Halo ridge seemed long and was tiring as I was carrying too much gear. I finally made the summit mid-afternoon. I stopped down at East Cross Creek to filter water and eat. This area in the dying light was almost magical. I climbed to Halfmoon Pass and spent the night before returning to the trailhead the next morning.

Chris

Chris - Aug 9, 2004 3:05 pm

Route Climbed: North Ridge Date Climbed: Aug 01, 2004  Sucess!

Wow, what a beautiful mountain. Had originally intended to climb the Angelica Couloir, but it looked kinda like a well used bowling alley, so we decided that was a bit too much objective hazard, without helmets. The North Ridge is still a great hike though. Very beautiful surroundings, wildflowers were awesome this time of year. A camp at East Cross Creek makes this a very enjoyable summit day.

kilimanjaro1

kilimanjaro1 - Aug 6, 2004 11:32 pm

Route Climbed: North Ridge from Halfmoon Trailhead Date Climbed: July 20, 2004  Sucess!

Did this mountain in one day with an early start from the Halfmoon TH. It was a very rewarding climb, and as Roach says, I did maximize the impact on my body. Caught some rain and lightning (count of 1 from flash to thunder) from Halfmoon Pass to the trailhead on return route. A tough but rewarding day.

Saintgrizzly

Saintgrizzly - Jul 28, 2004 1:56 am

Route Climbed: Standard Date Climbed: August, 1997  Sucess!

It's interesting: this is one of the nicest fourteeners; I love the mountain, love the area, have done the mountain twice, and both times had bad climbs! It was as though my legs were made of lead--I was in good shape, too--go figure; it makes no sense to me! First time was with Aaron; the second (1997) was with Elizabeth. On both occasions the weather was perfect--definitely the nicest fourteener of the Sawach!

mmoerk

mmoerk - Jul 18, 2004 9:29 pm

Route Climbed: North Ridge / Half Moon Pass Date Climbed: July 18, 2004  Sucess!

It was a very cloudy day, so I didn't get to experience a lot of the great views I've heard about. Of course, starting at 3am doesn't help as far as the views, either. When I got to the summit, it was engulfed in clouds. I guess I'll have to come back!

-Mike

DaveC

DaveC - May 20, 2004 9:51 pm

Route Climbed: N ridge Date Climbed: july 97  Sucess!

What a beautiful peak! To look at, anyway, the climb was ordinary bouldering. Actually had this summit to myself on a weekend in the summer. Nice but buggy camp along the controversial holy cross creek.

Ryan Kowalski

Ryan Kowalski - Apr 19, 2004 5:09 pm

Route Climbed: standard route Date Climbed: July 19, 2003  Sucess!

A great peak with a great approach. The Holy Cross Wilderness is great. I'll definitley be back! The Halo Ridge is a great way to experience this area

f360driver

f360driver - Apr 14, 2004 6:44 pm

Route Climbed: Halfmoon Pass Trail head Date Climbed: July/03

Great hike with my girlfriend. Edit: Ex-girlfriend.

RyanS

RyanS - Apr 12, 2004 12:07 pm

Route Climbed: North Ridge Date Climbed: August 5, 2002  Sucess!

Erin and I used an awesome loop hike to summit Holy Cross and the centennial summit of Holy Cross Ridge (we'll be back for the bicentennials :-D).



We used Holy Cross's standard route. At daybreak we watched a rare, early-morning shower roll in over Mount Jackson and across Cross Creek. We sat in the rain about 200' below the summit for around half an hour before we resumed our climb. Then we carefully descended on wet rock to the saddle with Holy Cross Ridge, gaining our second summit quickly. We descended to the *gorgeous* Tuhare Lakes and used the lush Fall Creek Trail to return to the Halfmoon Trailhead. A trip report is available here.

xskier77

xskier77 - Feb 1, 2004 11:56 pm

Route Climbed: Holy Cross Couloir/Halo Ridge Date Climbed: July 27, 2003  Sucess!

Start time 5:30am finish time 7:30pm. Needless to say this was a very long and challenging day. First climbing the Cross Couloir in about the worst conditions. There was almost no snow and alot of loose rock, dirt and runoff. The finish of the couloir was very dramatic as the summit was right there in front of us. We then opted to take the Halo ridge down. Thank god for the shelter as it saved us from a nasty afternoon thunderstorm. After this increidbly long day we stopped at the first restaurant we came to in Minturn. It's the one furthest south of Minturn. The worst Mexican food I've ever had. Just thought I'd try to save the next person from this mistake.

pcorridon

pcorridon - Jan 16, 2004 10:53 am

Route Climbed: Angelica Couloir Date Climbed: July 13, 2003  Sucess!

Great climb up Angelica couloir with some very interesting thin and mixed sections, not to mention a large boulder that thought we were bowling pins!!

hhsilleck

hhsilleck - Jan 10, 2004 7:29 pm

Route Climbed: North Ridge Date Climbed: Jule 1991  Sucess!

My first 14er ... a beautiful area.

Kane

Kane - Sep 28, 2003 1:06 pm

Route Climbed: Entire Halo Ridge Date Climbed: 9-27-2003  Sucess!

Started at the Fall Creek TH at 8:15 a.m. Ascended the Notch Mountain Trail to the Notch Mountain Shelter. The views of the Cross are as spectacular as they say from this perch. The rest of the really long route from here is obvious. I arrived on the summit of Holy Cross at 1:15 p.m. Then continued down the standard North Ridge Route of Holy Cross back to the car by 5:00 p.m.; a wonderful loop route. I would only attempt this route if you are positive the weather will be exceptional all day. Attempting this route in late July and August would be too risky for you will above tree-line and exposed to the elements such as lightning and wind for at least 4-5 hours, maybe more. There are good escape routes on this ridge but they deposit you way away from anything. Also, don't forget your sunscreen.





Total distance 15 miles, Total vertical 5,700-ft.

Andy

Andy - Aug 10, 2003 4:55 pm

Route Climbed: Angelica Couloir from Lake Patricia Date Climbed: August 9, 2003  Sucess!

I started from Lake Patricia at 6:15 and climbed Angelica Couloir. I made the summit by 8:45 and then descended via Teardrop gully down to Bowl of Tears. I made it back to camp at Lake Patricia by 11:45. It was a great loop hike and the only people I saw all day were on the summit.

rob_runkle

rob_runkle - Jul 30, 2003 6:59 pm

Route Climbed: Northwest Ridge, down the Halo Ridge Date Climbed: July 20, 2003  Sucess!

Wow!! Did the whole 15 mile loop.

Diggler

Diggler - Jul 23, 2003 6:25 pm

Route Climbed: North Face Date Climbed: July, 1999  Sucess!

Beautiful surroundings & mountain. Had quite the adventure getting up (& down!!) this mountain. Check out my trip report.

Colonelpyat

Colonelpyat - Feb 28, 2003 3:45 am

Route Climbed: North Ridge Date Climbed: August 28, 2002  Sucess!

This was one of the best trips ever. Great views in a great setting. I got my friend Frank to make his first ever "alpine start" and we had the summit to ourselves for almost two hours. He took advantage of the solitude by taking a very long nap at the top.

Grant

Grant - Feb 19, 2003 3:30 pm

Route Climbed: North Ridge Date Climbed: Aug 26, 2001  Sucess!

Notes: This hike ranks near the top of my list in overall scenery, but it’s not an easy hike.

The trail starts out easy and after about an hour I was at Half Moon Pass (11,640). Then I started the downhill climb into East Cross Creek Valley to 10,670’. The downclimb into the valley was very scenic. I could see a couple of lakes and waterfalls with Holy Cross in the background. I couldn’t see the actual cross since I was on the wrong side of the peak, and it also melts out by the end of July anyway. The peak was very impressive with the cliffs on its north face.

Once at the creek the uphill started up to the summit. At about 11,000’ the trail really started to climb. It was a strong climbers trail to gain the ridge at 12,800’. Once on the ridge the terrain flattens out a bit and I had a great view of the summit. The last 500 feet to the summit was quite a climb and required a lot of boulder hopping.

There wasn’t a cloud in the sky, and there were only three people on the summit. I sat there for an hour and a half it must have been in the mid-fifties and the views from the top were awesome. I would say some of the best views of any fourteener to this date. I had my first good view of the rugged Gore Range to the North. Fourteener-less but a very challenging mountain range.

Overall this is for stronger hikers. But for those who want a great view of a beautiful valley the hike to Half Moon Pass is for anyone. You would have to downclimb the trail a bit to get the overall views of this valley. I couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day. September is a great time of year to hike.

Viewing: 1-20 of 236
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