Plan with
Confidence
Regional Classic
A must do route for the area handpicked by local experts.
The Tigiwon Road is closed 8 miles below the trailhead during the winter months. For this reason, it is seldom climbed outside of summer. Dogs must be leashed. Camping along Halfmoon trail is restricted to 10 designated sites near East Cross Creek. Sites are first come first serve; if all sites are full you must share with another party. Camping outside of these designated sites is prohibited.
Path Type
There and Back
From the small town of Minturn, just outside of Vail, drive toward Leadville on Tennessee Pass (US 24). Just before the first switchback and about 2 miles outside of town, turn right onto Tigiwon Road (clearly marked). This is a bumpy dirt road, but just about any vehicle can make it to the top. Drive up a steep mountainside for 8 miles, gaining over 2,000 ft. Come to the Half Moon Trailhead and park. The remaining description is the standard north ridge route up Holy Cross. Hike about 1.5 miles up a moderate dirt trail with some roots to reach Half Moon Pass at about 11,600 ft. 13er Notch Mountain is up and to your left; Holy Cross will come into view shortly after you start down the pass. Drop down the clear trail on the other side of Half Moon Pass, losing pretty much all of the elevation you just gained, and coming to a stream at about 2.5 miles. You may camp here, although Holy Cross is an excellent day hike. But remember, you'll have to hike back up the elevation you lost on the pass!Continue along some flat, rocky terrain for a bit before the grade cranks up, taking you up a rocky path switchbacking through the trees. The trees begin to thin out, and, by 12,000 ft, you'll be hiking up a rocky path devoid of life. CFI has maintained this trail very well, and there are even rock steps built into much of the path. This area is steep and draining, but massive cairns make getting lost next to impossible, and the ridge is not that far away. At about 4.5 miles in, the ridge begins to flatten out. Follow the trail up and to the left to reach the summit. You only have about 400 more feet to go. The path fades out fairly quickly, and it's more fun to simply scramble up the class 2+ terrain just below the summit than to waste time looking for the exact path. Reach the top and enjoy 360 degrees of world-class views!
Holy Cross was first climbed in 1873 by William Henry Jackson, a then famous explorer of the American West. He named the mountain after its unique northeastern couloirs, which, when filled with snow, form a cross in the side of the mountain.
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