Route Climbed: North Ridge Date Climbed: September 16, 2001
A very long day with alog of elevation gain/loss. Round trip was approximately 8.5 hours, and I really felt it. This was my only mountain so far that I felt a degree of AMS on. The last portion back over the pass was killer.
Route Climbed: North Ridge-Halo Ridge Loop Date Climbed: July 31, 2004
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.
Route Climbed: Halo Ridge route Date Climbed: July 1995
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!
Route Climbed: Halo Ridge Date Climbed: September 2, 2004
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.
Route Climbed: North Ridge Date Climbed: Aug 01, 2004
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.
Route Climbed: North Ridge from Halfmoon Trailhead Date Climbed: July 20, 2004
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.
Route Climbed: Standard Date Climbed: August, 1997
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!
Route Climbed: North Ridge / Half Moon Pass Date Climbed: July 18, 2004
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!
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.
Route Climbed: North Ridge Date Climbed: August 5, 2002
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.
Route Climbed: Holy Cross Couloir/Halo Ridge Date Climbed: July 27, 2003
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.
Route Climbed: Entire Halo Ridge Date Climbed: 9-27-2003
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.
Route Climbed: Angelica Couloir from Lake Patricia Date Climbed: August 9, 2003
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.
onandupwards - Feb 2, 2005 9:50 pm
Route Climbed: North ridge Date Climbed: Oct 19962 day, camped at the lake, cold...
ripper333 - Oct 24, 2004 4:45 pm
Route Climbed: north ridge Date Climbed: oct 1998nice workout.
mr_g - Oct 12, 2004 8:49 am
Route Climbed: North Ridge Date Climbed: September 16, 2001A very long day with alog of elevation gain/loss. Round trip was approximately 8.5 hours, and I really felt it. This was my only mountain so far that I felt a degree of AMS on. The last portion back over the pass was killer.
Brad Snider - Sep 21, 2004 9:41 pm
Route Climbed: North Ridge-Halo Ridge Loop Date Climbed: July 31, 2004My 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 - Sep 18, 2004 7:47 pm
Route Climbed: Halo Ridge route Date Climbed: July 1995This 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 - Sep 11, 2004 1:38 pm
Route Climbed: Halo Ridge Date Climbed: September 2, 2004I 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 - Aug 9, 2004 3:05 pm
Route Climbed: North Ridge Date Climbed: Aug 01, 2004Wow, 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 - Aug 6, 2004 11:32 pm
Route Climbed: North Ridge from Halfmoon Trailhead Date Climbed: July 20, 2004Did 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 - Jul 28, 2004 1:56 am
Route Climbed: Standard Date Climbed: August, 1997It'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 - Jul 18, 2004 9:29 pm
Route Climbed: North Ridge / Half Moon Pass Date Climbed: July 18, 2004It 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 - May 20, 2004 9:51 pm
Route Climbed: N ridge Date Climbed: july 97What 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 - Apr 19, 2004 5:09 pm
Route Climbed: standard route Date Climbed: July 19, 2003A 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 - Apr 14, 2004 6:44 pm
Route Climbed: Halfmoon Pass Trail head Date Climbed: July/03Great hike with my girlfriend. Edit: Ex-girlfriend.
RyanS - Apr 12, 2004 12:07 pm
Route Climbed: North Ridge Date Climbed: August 5, 2002Erin 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 - Feb 1, 2004 11:56 pm
Route Climbed: Holy Cross Couloir/Halo Ridge Date Climbed: July 27, 2003Start 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 - Jan 16, 2004 10:53 am
Route Climbed: Angelica Couloir Date Climbed: July 13, 2003Great 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 - Jan 10, 2004 7:29 pm
Route Climbed: North Ridge Date Climbed: Jule 1991My first 14er ... a beautiful area.
Kane - Sep 28, 2003 1:06 pm
Route Climbed: Entire Halo Ridge Date Climbed: 9-27-2003Started 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 - Aug 10, 2003 4:55 pm
Route Climbed: Angelica Couloir from Lake Patricia Date Climbed: August 9, 2003I 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 - Jul 30, 2003 6:59 pm
Route Climbed: Northwest Ridge, down the Halo Ridge Date Climbed: July 20, 2003Wow!! Did the whole 15 mile loop.