The Mount of the Holy Cross via the Fall Creek Trail is a challenging hike that leads to the summit of the 14,011-foot (4,273 m) mountain peak located in the Sawatch Range of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, USA. The trailhead is located at the Halfmoon Campground, which can be reached by driving on Tigiwon Road (Forest Service Road 703) from Minturn, Colorado.The Fall Creek Trail is a less traveled route compared to the standard route via East Ridge, and it's considered more strenuous and challenging. The trail begins by following Fall Creek for the first 1.5 miles, climbing steeply through dense forest and reaching the base of the mountain. Then the trail splits, with the Fall Creek Route heading to the left, and the standard East Ridge Route heading to the right.The Fall Creek Route is a rocky hike that requires some scrambling and route-finding skills, it's steeper than the standard route and it's considered to be more strenuous. It's not a maintained trail, so hikers should have experience with route-finding and scrambling. The trail will take you to the summit of the mountain, offering panoramic views of the Sawatch Range and the Holy Cross Wilderness.The total round trip distance is about 15.1 miles, with an elevation gain of 4,750 feet. 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. This trail is less traveled and less maintained, so hikers should come prepared and be self-sufficient.For information on how we grade trails, please click here.This trail can be completed in approx 2 days. Caution is advised on trail times as this depends on multiple variables. For more info, click here.
