Lake Constantine Trail

Lake Constantine is the alpine lake on the far side of the Half Moon trailhead from Mount of the Holy Cross, reached by the Fall Creek trail through the Holy Cross Wilderness: 4 miles of steady climbing through spruce to a lake at 11,400 feet under the cliffs of Notch Mountain and Whitney Peak. It is the moderate day from a trailhead that is otherwise all fourteener traffic, and the campsites around the lake make it a favorite first backpack.

From the Half Moon trailhead at about 10,300 feet, two trails leave the lot. The Half Moon Pass trail climbs toward Holy Cross; take the Fall Creek trail, which heads south and enters the wilderness immediately. It climbs through spruce and fir along Fall Creek, crossing it once on a footbridge, with the grade steady and the forest dense.

At about 2 miles the Notch Mountain trail leaves right, climbing toward the stone shelter and the famous view of the cross; stay on Fall Creek. The trail steepens through the last of the trees and arrives at Lake Constantine at 11,400 feet, a long lake with meadow at the outlet and the walls of Notch Mountain above. The trail continues past the lake toward Fancy Pass and the Seven Sisters lakes for a longer trip. Return the same way, about 8 miles round trip.

From US 24 two miles south of Minturn, turn onto Tigiwon Road (Forest Road 707) and climb 8 miles of gravel to the Half Moon trailhead at the end. Passenger cars manage the road when dry. The road is closed to vehicles every year from May 1 through June 20 to protect wildlife, so it opens by car on June 21 at the earliest and closes again with snow in fall. The lot holds about 40 cars and is full by 5 AM on July and August weekends with Holy Cross climbers, with overflow along the road. No fee or permit for day use; Holy Cross Wilderness overnight trips need a free self-issued permit at the trailhead. Toilet at the lot.

Dogs are allowed on leash in the wilderness. The climb is steady and long for young kids; the campsites at the lake make it a good first overnight for older ones. Carry a filter; Fall Creek is beside the trail. Camp 100 feet from the lake and skip the fire above 11,000 feet. Tigiwon and Half Moon campgrounds sit along the access road and take no reservations. Minturn has restaurants and a saloon; Vail has the grocery. The Notch Mountain trail shares the first 2 miles, and the Minturn hikes page covers the Holy Cross approaches.