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- Holy Cross Ridge
13,850 ft · Sawatch Range, Colorado
Holy Cross Ridge
Holy Cross Ridge is a 13,850 ft peak in the Sawatch Range, Colorado. The standard route is the North Ridge via Mount of the Holy Cross: 13 mi, 5,835 ft of gain, Class 2.
Holy Cross Ridge at a glance
- Elevation13,850 ft4,221 m
- RouteNorth Ridge via Mount of the Holy CrossClass 2
- Distance13 mi5,835 ft gain
- Time9 – 11 hrsVery Hard effort
- SeasonJul – Sep
- RangeSawatch RangeColorado
Climbing the North Ridge via Mount of the Holy Cross
From Minturn, drive south on US 24 and turn onto Tigiwon Road (FR 707), a long graded road to the Half Moon Trailhead; passenger cars are fine. Cross Half Moon Pass, drop to East Cross Creek, and climb the North Ridge of Mount of the Holy Cross, then continue south along the ridge on boulders to Holy Cross Ridge. The re-ascent of Half Moon Pass on the return adds to the gain. Snow lingers into July. It is a very long day; start before dawn for storms. Carry plenty of water, and camp at East Cross Creek if you want to split the effort.
Gear and hazards
What to bring
Backpack (35–55 L)
Hiking Boots
Water
Offline Maps
Headlamp
Satellite Communicator
Whistle
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Sun Hat
Midlayer
Insulated Jacket
Hardshell Jacket
Warm Hat
Buff
Midweight Gloves
Trekking Poles
GPS Device
Power Bank
Water Filter
First-Aid Kit
Emergency Bivy
What to watch for
- Loose rock
- Route-finding difficulty
- Snow near summit
- Storms
- High winds
Quests with Holy Cross Ridge
Colorado Centennials
Colorado 13ersPeaks near Holy Cross Ridge
Frequently asked questions
How tall is Holy Cross Ridge?
Holy Cross Ridge is 13,850 feet (4,221 m) tall. It is in the Sawatch Range, Colorado.
How does Holy Cross Ridge rank among the Colorado Centennials?
At 13,850 feet, Holy Cross Ridge is the 86th highest of the 100 Colorado Centennials. The highest is Mount Elbert.
How hard is it to hike Holy Cross Ridge?
The North Ridge via Mount of the Holy Cross is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort very hard: 13 miles with 5,835 feet of elevation gain.
How long does it take to hike Holy Cross Ridge?
Most people take 9 – 11 hours round trip on the North Ridge via Mount of the Holy Cross, covering 13 miles with 5,835 feet of elevation gain. That is a long day, so start before dawn and set a turnaround time.
Can a beginner hike Holy Cross Ridge?
The North Ridge via Mount of the Holy Cross needs no climbing skills, but it is a very hard day: 13 miles with 5,835 feet of elevation gain. Build up on shorter hikes first, start early and carry plenty of water and layers.
Will you get altitude sickness on Holy Cross Ridge?
You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Holy Cross Ridge reaches 13,850 feet. Spend a night or two at elevation first, drink plenty of water and turn back if a headache, nausea or dizziness gets worse.
What time should you start hiking Holy Cross Ridge?
Early. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, so aim to be off the summit and the exposed upper mountain by early afternoon. At 9 – 11 hours round trip, many parties start in the dark.
When is the best time to hike Holy Cross Ridge?
The usual hiking window is July to September. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.
Climb Holy Cross Ridge with Yak
Plan your route on a topo map, check the summit forecast, then log your climb and see what is left on your list