Holy Cross, Mount of the Climber's Log

Viewing: 221-239 of 239
Diggler

Diggler - Jul 23, 2003 6:25 pm

Route Climbed: North Face Date Climbed: July, 1999  Sucess!

Beautiful surroundings & mountain. Had quite the adventure getting up (& down!!) this mountain. Check out my trip report.

Colonelpyat

Colonelpyat - Feb 28, 2003 3:45 am

Route Climbed: North Ridge Date Climbed: August 28, 2002  Sucess!

This was one of the best trips ever. Great views in a great setting. I got my friend Frank to make his first ever "alpine start" and we had the summit to ourselves for almost two hours. He took advantage of the solitude by taking a very long nap at the top.

Grant

Grant - Feb 19, 2003 3:30 pm

Route Climbed: North Ridge Date Climbed: Aug 26, 2001  Sucess!

Notes: This hike ranks near the top of my list in overall scenery, but it’s not an easy hike.

The trail starts out easy and after about an hour I was at Half Moon Pass (11,640). Then I started the downhill climb into East Cross Creek Valley to 10,670’. The downclimb into the valley was very scenic. I could see a couple of lakes and waterfalls with Holy Cross in the background. I couldn’t see the actual cross since I was on the wrong side of the peak, and it also melts out by the end of July anyway. The peak was very impressive with the cliffs on its north face.

Once at the creek the uphill started up to the summit. At about 11,000’ the trail really started to climb. It was a strong climbers trail to gain the ridge at 12,800’. Once on the ridge the terrain flattens out a bit and I had a great view of the summit. The last 500 feet to the summit was quite a climb and required a lot of boulder hopping.

There wasn’t a cloud in the sky, and there were only three people on the summit. I sat there for an hour and a half it must have been in the mid-fifties and the views from the top were awesome. I would say some of the best views of any fourteener to this date. I had my first good view of the rugged Gore Range to the North. Fourteener-less but a very challenging mountain range.

Overall this is for stronger hikers. But for those who want a great view of a beautiful valley the hike to Half Moon Pass is for anyone. You would have to downclimb the trail a bit to get the overall views of this valley. I couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day. September is a great time of year to hike.

zzril

zzril - Nov 22, 2002 12:33 pm

Route Climbed: N. Ridge Date Climbed: June 1990  Sucess!

One day with friends. Excellent route on a beautiful sunny day.

climberkjp

climberkjp - Oct 22, 2002 11:15 am

Route Climbed: Halfmoon Creek Date Climbed: September 1, 2002  Sucess!

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?

Matt Mahoney

Matt Mahoney - Sep 13, 2002 5:18 pm

Route Climbed: Halfmoon Pass to Halo Ridge Date Climbed: Aug. 12, 2002  Sucess!

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.

wayneaflick

wayneaflick - Aug 25, 2002 7:04 pm

Route Climbed: Halfmoon Pass - North Ridge Date Climbed: August 8, 1999  Sucess!

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.

mtnhiker13

mtnhiker13 - Jul 11, 2002 6:38 pm

Route Climbed: Half Moon Pass Date Climbed: July 6, 2002  Sucess!

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!

cdownard - Jul 10, 2002 6:59 pm

Route Climbed: North Ridge Date Climbed: June 25, 2002  Sucess!

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!!

ctruscot - Jul 3, 2002 8:38 am

Route Climbed: Halfmoon Trail Date Climbed: July 1, 2002  Sucess!

A 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

climbcolorado - Jun 30, 2002 4:28 pm

Route Climbed: North Ridge Date Climbed: 6/30/02  Sucess!

Summited 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 1999  Sucess!

Fourth day, third mountain.

darinchadwick

darinchadwick - Apr 4, 2002 5:45 am

Route Climbed: Up Halo Ridge, down Halfmoon pass Date Climbed: August 1996  Sucess!

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!

Zeke

Zeke - Jan 16, 2002 7:31 am

Route Climbed: Cross Couloir Date Climbed: July 4, 1998  Sucess!

Great 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

steve simmons - Jan 3, 2002 4:45 am

Route Climbed: north ridge Date Climbed: august 13, 2001  Sucess!

Summated with 1 of my dogs, bear

Beautfiul summit, a spiritual experience.

Praise JESUS CHRIST LORD Of All!!!!!!!

steeleman

steeleman - Oct 30, 2001 7:37 pm

Route Climbed: North Ridge Date Climbed: September 1995  Sucess!

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.

Peter Eliassen

Peter Eliassen - Aug 16, 2001 11:49 am

Route Climbed: Standard Date Climbed: 8/5/99  Sucess!

Great hike...although the up and down and up and down in both directions makes it tiring even on the way down!

miztflip

miztflip - Aug 13, 2001 3:08 pm

Route Climbed: North Ridge Date Climbed: July 20, 2001  Sucess!

One of the most beautiful approaches for a Colorado 14er. We made it down just in time to avoid the noon showers.

mwalker2

mwalker2 - Aug 11, 2001 12:41 pm

Route Climbed: North Ridge Date Climbed: 8/10/01  Sucess!

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.

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