Mount of the Holy Cross Trail

Mount of the Holy Cross is a 14,011-foot (4,273 m) mountain peak located in the Sawatch Range of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, USA. The Mount of the Holy Cross Trail is a popular hiking and backpacking trail that leads to the summit of the mountain.The trailhead is located at the Halfmoon Campground, which can be reached by driving on Tigiwon Road (Forest Service Road 703) from Minturn, Colorado. From the trailhead, the trail begins by following the East Cross Creek for the first 2 miles. The trail then climbs steeply through dense forest and reaches the base of the mountain.The trail then splits, with the East Ridge Route heading to the left and the North Ridge Route heading to the right. The East Ridge Route is the standard route and is considered the easier of the two. It's a rocky hike that requires some scrambling, but offers great views of the mountain's famous cross-shaped snowfield. The North Ridge Route is a more challenging route that requires more climbing and scrambling skills and is considered to be steeper and more strenuous than the East Ridge Route.Once on the summit, hikers are rewarded with panoramic views of the Sawatch Range and the Holy Cross Wilderness. The hike is considered strenuous, with an elevation gain of 5,200 feet and the total round trip distance is about 10.1 miles. It's essential to have a good physical condition and hiking experience before attempting the trail and to be prepared for changing weather conditions, bring plenty of water, food, and warm clothing. It's also advisable to check the weather forecast before starting the hike, and also check trail conditions and bring the necessary gear.For information on how we grade trails, please click here.This trail can be completed in approx 3 days. Caution is advised on trail times as this depends on multiple variables. For more info, click here.