Mount of the Holy Cross

14,005 ft · #53 highest in Colorado · Sawatch Range

Class 2 — off-trail / scree12 mi round trip5,600 ft gain

Elevation

14,005′

Difficulty

Class 2

Distance

12 mi

Elev. gain

5,600′

Nearest town

Minturn

County

Eagle

Range

Sawatch

Rank

#53

Mount of the Holy Cross is famous for the cross-shaped snow formation visible on its east face. The standard North Ridge route is long and includes a brutal elevation loss to the saddle.

Standard Route

From the Half Moon Trailhead, the trail climbs to Half Moon Pass at 11,640 feet, then drops 1,000 feet down to East Cross Creek before climbing 3,000 feet up the north ridge to the summit. 12 miles round trip, 5,600 feet of total gain (counting the re-climb).

What to Expect

The descent into East Cross Creek and re-ascent is mentally tough — you do the elevation loss twice (once down, once up on the return). Plan for a 10-12 hour day. The cross formation is most visible in late June.