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Mount of The Holy Cross – CO 14er Hike With Stunning Views

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Article Categories: Hiking
Article Tags: CO 14er | Colorado | Day Hikes

Mount of The Holy Cross is a 14,005 foot mountain in the White River National Forest of Colorado. Don’t let the fact that this mountains is one of the smaller CO 14ers fool you, the elevation gain is significant here, making for a strenuous, but very rewarding hike.

Difficulty – Strenuous
Distance – 11.2 miles round trip (18.02 km)
Height – 14,005 feet (4,268.7 meters)
Elevation gain –4,910 Feet (1,496.6 meters)
Duration – 7-9 hours (book time)
Hike Class: Class 2
Trailhead Elevation – 10,320 ft (3,145.5 meters)

Trail Map

Mount Of The Holy Cross Trail Map

Trails

Half Moon Pass Trail | 11.2 Miles Round Trip | 4,910 Feet Elevation Gain

There is really only one established and normal hiking route up to the summit of Mount of The Holy Cross. This trial begins at Halfmoon Campground (10,320 feet) at the end of Tigiwon Road in Minturn, CO (directions below).

The trail begins below treeline and steadily inclines to Halfmoon Pass (1.6 miles in) at 11,630 feet. Hikers will have just ascended above treeline, and will have to descend another 1.4 miles down to 10,680 feet. This descent features some fantastic views of the summit of Mount Holy Cross, the lakes below, and the campsites below.

Around 2.2 miles into this hike, hikers will reach the the back country tentsites. These are some really great camping spots and are first come first serve (more info below). Hikers will be at 10,680 feet here. This is a great way to turn this hike into an overnight hike.

The ascent begins here, where hikers will steadily climb above treeline in about 1.1 miles, and will follow cairns along the rocky ridge to the summit. The views are outstanding the entire way above treeline. Hikers will continue a steep ascent for .4 miles before the trail gets more gradual along the ridge. 1.2 miles after treeline, hikers will reach the last push to the summit. Here the trail gets significantly more steep, and is made up of large boulders that can be difficult to navigate. This is .3 miles to the summit. Hikers should follow the cairns to the top.

Alternate Routes

Not really alternate routes for hikers. Climbers may seek a class 3 route up Cross Couloir. This will take you up a steep snowy section. This is also a common back country ski/snowboard area.

Hiking in Winter

Tigiwon road is closed to vehicles in late fall until mid June. (Normally June 21 pending snow) Check near these times to be sure the road is open. Hikers will still hike in winter, but it turns this into a 31 mile hike with over 7,000 feet of elevation gain. The road to the trailhead is frequented by snowmobiles, so that is an option as well. Extreme caution and preparation should be taken.

Camping Information

There are two camping areas for hikers. Halfmoon Campground at the trailhead, and tent sites located around 2.3 miles into the hike.

Halfmoon Campground

Halfmoon is located at the trailhead and end of Tigiwon road. The open season is from the third week in June to the first week in October. Fee is $15 per night for a single unit. This is done via fee envelopes in a collection box. First come first serve, no reservations. There are 7 tent sites. The trailhead has a bathroom. Each tent site has a picnic table and a campfire grate.

Tent Sites

These tent sites begin around 2.2 miles into the hike. There are 10 tent sites, first come, first serve. Campsites are marked as filled if a hiker puts a rock on the tentsite marking. Campfires are prohibited at these sites. Be prepared to share your tentsite if spaces are full. These sites are large enough to share. Camping fee is paid at trailhead via envelope: $15. A map of the tent sites can be found in the pictures section below.

Current Weather Conditions

Here is a detailed forecast for the next 4 days:

Red Cliff, CO

Overnight
Patchy blowing snow. Partly cloudy, with a low around 10. West southwest wind around 15 mph.

Thursday
Patchy blowing snow before 5pm, then patchy blowing snow and a slight chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 26. West southwest wind 20 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 50 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Thursday Night
Patchy blowing snow and a slight chance of snow showers before 7pm, then snow showers and blowing snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 14. West southwest wind 25 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 50 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.

Friday
Snow showers likely and areas of blowing snow before noon, then snow showers and areas of blowing snow and a slight chance of thunderstorms between noon and 5pm, then blowing snow and snow showers likely and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 24. West southwest wind 25 to 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Friday Night
Blowing snow and snow showers likely and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 16. Southwest wind 30 to 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

Saturday
Blowing snow and a chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 27. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

Saturday Night
Blowing snow and a chance of snow showers before 8pm, then a chance of snow showers and patchy blowing snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Directions & Parking

Fill out a Wilderness Registration Card. Camping and overnight fees are $15 per day. The road is rough and dirt. High clearance 2wd can make it during summer, but an AWD vehicle is recommended.

Additional Pictures

Mount of The Holy Cross Views of Lodge

Mount of The Holy Cross Views of Lodge

Mount of The Holy Cross

Mount of The Holy Cross Pano Views

Mount of The Holy Cross Pano Views

Mount of The Holy Cross Trail Sign 1

Mount of The Holy Cross Trailhead Sign 1

Mount of The Holy Cross Trailhead Sign 2

Mount of The Holy Cross Trailhead Sign 2

Mount of The Holy Cross Trailhead Sign 3

Mount of The Holy Cross Trailhead Sign 3

Small Stream Crossing Near Campsites

Small Stream Crossing Near Campsites

Views Heading Down Towards Campsites

Mount of The Holy Cross Summit Views

Mount of The Holy Cross Summit Views

Mount of The Holy Cross Views

Mount of The Holy Cross Views

Max DesMarais

Max DesMarais

Max DesMarais is the founder of hikingandfishing.com. He has a passion for the outdoors and making outdoor education and adventure more accessible. Max is a published author for various outdoor adventure, travel, and marketing websites. He is an experienced hiker, backpacker, fly fisherman, trail runner, and spends his free time in the outdoors. These adventures allow him to test gear, learn new skills, and experience new places so that he can educate others. Max grew up hiking all around New Hampshire and New England. He became obsessed with the New Hampshire mountains, and the NH 48, where he guided hikes and trail runs in the White Mountains. Since moving out west, Max has continued his frequent adventures in the mountains, always testing gear, learning skills, gaining experience, and building his endurance for outdoor sports. You can read more about his experience here: hikingandfishing/about

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