Route Climbed: Halfmoon Creek Date Climbed: September 1, 2002
My wife, Alexis, Drew Morton, and I had a great time. About 9 hours up and down. A woman turned up missing on this day, but never heard anything else about her. Does anyone know anything?
Route Climbed: Halfmoon Pass to Halo Ridge Date Climbed: Aug. 12, 2002
Mike Bur and I wanted some class 3 so we hiked the Halo Ridge clockwise from Halfmoon Pass, over Notch Mountain, past the well built hut, over several 13ers and finally Holy Cross. The notch was about an hour of fun scrambling. Total time was 8:40 with good weather. No snow at all in the cross.
Route Climbed: Halfmoon Pass - North Ridge Date Climbed: August 8, 1999
I have to say that this was the toughest climb of the 30 or so 14'er I've climbed. The day started before sunrise with threatening skies. I thought about turning back but kept going. The clouds formed a line from the southwest to the northeast. The line moved east as I climbed Halfmoon Pass. By the time I was over the pass, the weather was clear. It had already snowed by late August so there was snow above timberline. I stayed about 45 minutes at East Cross Creek getting water etc. When I reached timberline, the wind had started blowing. It was constant and hard. I continued with the wind in my face and finally made the summit at about 1 pm. I hadn't eaten anything so I didn't throw up anything. But I tried. I took a couple of pictures and started down. I slipped on one of those snow covered rocks and bent my toes up to my shin. It was painful but I wasn't injured. Later, a rock rocked when I stepped on it and I went down like a sack of potatoes. I hurt my thigh and my forehead. I broke a lens out of my sun glasses. I was not injured although my thigh hurt like hell. I spent about half an hour finding the lens that fell behind a rock and landed in some snow. It wasn't broken, thank goodness as the snow and bright sun made sun glasses an absolute necessity. The rest of the trip was uneventful except for the fact the sun went down as I started up Halfmoon Pass and it was completely dark by the time I was three-quarters of the way up. I fumbled in the dark (I didn't pack a light naturally) and finally made it to the top. I knew if I could reach the top of Halfmoon Pass I'd be OK since I knew there was a full moon out so the east side of the Pass would be in the light.
This is the only climb I've been on that I never saw another human.
I always have "Wendy's Chili" after a climb so after I reached my PU I made a b-line to Vail for Chili. Got my chili at the drive up since the dining room was closed and had to eat it in the auto. It tasted good.
Route Climbed: Half Moon Pass Date Climbed: July 6, 2002
Holy Smokes! What an incredible mountain. We did the hike in one day and although a long day it was a very enjoyable day spent with my 2 hiking companions. I've only been hiking in Colorado since 1989 but this is one of the prettiest places I have been to in Colorado with the exception of the San Juans.
We had a great day weather wise, the smoke from the fires had started to clear out giving us pretty good views from the summit.
The mountain will always have a special place in my heart not only for the magnificant beauty of the mountain and the area but because of the special person who shared this with me.
I hope to return to climb the mountain again and would also like to return in order to hike to Patricia Lake and The Bowl of Tears. Would also like to visit other areas in the Holy Cross Wilderness.
A memorable day on a memorable mountain. What a beauty!
Route Climbed: North Ridge Date Climbed: June 25, 2002
On trail by 8am, back at Halfmoon Trailhead by 4pm. A long day, but worth every second of it. The smoke from the fires hindered views, but it was still beautiful!!
Route Climbed: Up Halo Ridge, down Halfmoon pass Date Climbed: August 1996
Funny how this mountain is barely a 14er, yet totally wore me out. First, the Halo Ridge hike is long. Period. But so fantastic. The best wildflowers I've seen in the Rockies. Then, when I topped out on the ridge, I was treated to a classic view of the cross on the east face. There's a stone shelter there with a good degaussing set-up in case a T-storm. The traverse is also fine going around to the actual peak. I'd do this hike again for the flowers, and the view from the shelter. Coming down Halfmoon was Ok, though the uphill hike is always hateful when you just want to go downhill and be finished. If this is a pilgrimmage peak for you, then Halo Ridge is the ticket, cause you'll see the cross so well. Sleep on the ridge, and hold communion at sunrise when the sun hits the east face!
Route Climbed: North Ridge Date Climbed: September 1995
Holy Cross was in my backyard all through high school and I never climbed it. Nearly ten years later, I came back to climb it. Didn't feel well going up, and hurled on the way back down. Too high, too fast. A good sense of accomplishment, but I enjoyed the hike up neighboring Notch Mountain much better.
My first solo climb! Camped at the Tigawon Campground on Thursday, then climbed on Friday. Partly cloudy at the bottom, and then complete cloud cover at the summit - couldn't see anything more than 20 feet away - disappointing.
zzril - Nov 22, 2002 12:33 pm
Route Climbed: N. Ridge Date Climbed: June 1990One day with friends. Excellent route on a beautiful sunny day.
climberkjp - Oct 22, 2002 11:15 am
Route Climbed: Halfmoon Creek Date Climbed: September 1, 2002My wife, Alexis, Drew Morton, and I had a great time. About 9 hours up and down. A woman turned up missing on this day, but never heard anything else about her. Does anyone know anything?
Matt Mahoney - Sep 13, 2002 5:18 pm
Route Climbed: Halfmoon Pass to Halo Ridge Date Climbed: Aug. 12, 2002Mike Bur and I wanted some class 3 so we hiked the Halo Ridge clockwise from Halfmoon Pass, over Notch Mountain, past the well built hut, over several 13ers and finally Holy Cross. The notch was about an hour of fun scrambling. Total time was 8:40 with good weather. No snow at all in the cross.
wayneaflick - Aug 25, 2002 7:04 pm
Route Climbed: Halfmoon Pass - North Ridge Date Climbed: August 8, 1999I have to say that this was the toughest climb of the 30 or so 14'er I've climbed. The day started before sunrise with threatening skies. I thought about turning back but kept going. The clouds formed a line from the southwest to the northeast. The line moved east as I climbed Halfmoon Pass. By the time I was over the pass, the weather was clear. It had already snowed by late August so there was snow above timberline. I stayed about 45 minutes at East Cross Creek getting water etc. When I reached timberline, the wind had started blowing. It was constant and hard. I continued with the wind in my face and finally made the summit at about 1 pm. I hadn't eaten anything so I didn't throw up anything. But I tried. I took a couple of pictures and started down. I slipped on one of those snow covered rocks and bent my toes up to my shin. It was painful but I wasn't injured. Later, a rock rocked when I stepped on it and I went down like a sack of potatoes. I hurt my thigh and my forehead. I broke a lens out of my sun glasses. I was not injured although my thigh hurt like hell. I spent about half an hour finding the lens that fell behind a rock and landed in some snow. It wasn't broken, thank goodness as the snow and bright sun made sun glasses an absolute necessity. The rest of the trip was uneventful except for the fact the sun went down as I started up Halfmoon Pass and it was completely dark by the time I was three-quarters of the way up. I fumbled in the dark (I didn't pack a light naturally) and finally made it to the top. I knew if I could reach the top of Halfmoon Pass I'd be OK since I knew there was a full moon out so the east side of the Pass would be in the light.
This is the only climb I've been on that I never saw another human.
I always have "Wendy's Chili" after a climb so after I reached my PU I made a b-line to Vail for Chili. Got my chili at the drive up since the dining room was closed and had to eat it in the auto. It tasted good.
mtnhiker13 - Jul 11, 2002 6:38 pm
Route Climbed: Half Moon Pass Date Climbed: July 6, 2002Holy Smokes! What an incredible mountain. We did the hike in one day and although a long day it was a very enjoyable day spent with my 2 hiking companions. I've only been hiking in Colorado since 1989 but this is one of the prettiest places I have been to in Colorado with the exception of the San Juans.
We had a great day weather wise, the smoke from the fires had started to clear out giving us pretty good views from the summit.
The mountain will always have a special place in my heart not only for the magnificant beauty of the mountain and the area but because of the special person who shared this with me.
I hope to return to climb the mountain again and would also like to return in order to hike to Patricia Lake and The Bowl of Tears. Would also like to visit other areas in the Holy Cross Wilderness.
A memorable day on a memorable mountain. What a beauty!
cdownard - Jul 10, 2002 6:59 pm
Route Climbed: North Ridge Date Climbed: June 25, 2002On trail by 8am, back at Halfmoon Trailhead by 4pm. A long day, but worth every second of it. The smoke from the fires hindered views, but it was still beautiful!!
ctruscot - Jul 3, 2002 8:38 am
Route Climbed: Halfmoon Trail Date Climbed: July 1, 2002A long day but due to the heat I thought it was better as a day hike rather than backpack! Did it again at the end of the month - July 27th.
climbcolorado - Jun 30, 2002 4:28 pm
Route Climbed: North Ridge Date Climbed: 6/30/02Summited with my two dogs. A long hard hike but very scenic!
Wildtrail - Jun 28, 2002 3:23 pm
Route Climbed: Halfmoon Pass and North Ridge Route Date Climbed: June 1999Fourth day, third mountain.
darinchadwick - Apr 4, 2002 5:45 am
Route Climbed: Up Halo Ridge, down Halfmoon pass Date Climbed: August 1996Funny how this mountain is barely a 14er, yet totally wore me out. First, the Halo Ridge hike is long. Period. But so fantastic. The best wildflowers I've seen in the Rockies. Then, when I topped out on the ridge, I was treated to a classic view of the cross on the east face. There's a stone shelter there with a good degaussing set-up in case a T-storm. The traverse is also fine going around to the actual peak. I'd do this hike again for the flowers, and the view from the shelter. Coming down Halfmoon was Ok, though the uphill hike is always hateful when you just want to go downhill and be finished. If this is a pilgrimmage peak for you, then Halo Ridge is the ticket, cause you'll see the cross so well. Sleep on the ridge, and hold communion at sunrise when the sun hits the east face!
Zeke - Jan 16, 2002 7:31 am
Route Climbed: Cross Couloir Date Climbed: July 4, 1998Great climb and highly recomended snow route. Def. worth the back pack in, spend a couple nights and enjoy the beauty of this area.
steve simmons - Jan 3, 2002 4:45 am
Route Climbed: north ridge Date Climbed: august 13, 2001Summated with 1 of my dogs, bear
Beautfiul summit, a spiritual experience.
Praise JESUS CHRIST LORD Of All!!!!!!!
steeleman - Oct 30, 2001 7:37 pm
Route Climbed: North Ridge Date Climbed: September 1995Holy Cross was in my backyard all through high school and I never climbed it. Nearly ten years later, I came back to climb it. Didn't feel well going up, and hurled on the way back down. Too high, too fast. A good sense of accomplishment, but I enjoyed the hike up neighboring Notch Mountain much better.
Peter Eliassen - Aug 16, 2001 11:49 am
Route Climbed: Standard Date Climbed: 8/5/99Great hike...although the up and down and up and down in both directions makes it tiring even on the way down!
miztflip - Aug 13, 2001 3:08 pm
Route Climbed: North Ridge Date Climbed: July 20, 2001One of the most beautiful approaches for a Colorado 14er. We made it down just in time to avoid the noon showers.
mwalker2 - Aug 11, 2001 12:41 pm
Route Climbed: North Ridge Date Climbed: 8/10/01My first solo climb! Camped at the Tigawon Campground on Thursday, then climbed on Friday. Partly cloudy at the bottom, and then complete cloud cover at the summit - couldn't see anything more than 20 feet away - disappointing.