Mount of the Holy Cross Loop

The Mount of the Holy Cross Loop is a demanding 13-mile high-alpine hike in Colorado's Sawatch Range. Starting from the Half Moon Trailhead at 10,320 feet, this challenging route climbs nearly 5,500 feet of elevation to summit the 14,005-foot peak. It combines the rugged, off-trail Halo Ridge with the standard North Ridge route, requiring Class 2 scrambling and route-finding. Hiking clockwise is recommended. The route begins on the Fall Creek Trail, branches onto the Notch Mountain Trail, and ascends to the historic stone Notch Mountain Shelter at 13,077 feet, which overlooks the peak's famous cross couloir. From the shelter, the path follows the exposed, unmarked Halo Ridge southwest, navigating rocky terrain and high points to reach the summit. The descent follows the standard North Ridge route. To complete the loop, hikers must tackle a final, demanding 1,000-foot climb over 1.2 miles to cross Half Moon Pass before returning to the trailhead.