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- Mount of the Holy Cross
14,005 ft · Sawatch Range, Colorado
Mount of the Holy Cross
Mount of the Holy Cross is a 14,005 ft peak in the Sawatch Range, Colorado. The standard route is the North Ridge: 11 mi, 5,600 ft of gain, Class 2.
Mount of the Holy Cross at a glance
- Elevation14,005 ft4,268 m
- RouteNorth RidgeClass 2
- Distance11 mi5,600 ft gain
- Time8 – 12 hrsVery Hard effort
- SeasonJul – Sep
- RangeSawatch RangeColorado
Climbing the North Ridge
From Minturn, Colorado, take Tigiwon Road south to the Half Moon Pass trailhead. The approach involves crossing Half Moon Pass then descending to the Cross Creek drainage before climbing to the summit. The significant re-ascent on the return trip adds to the challenge and total elevation gain. Early season snow can fill the famous cross couloir. Plan water and turnaround times carefully. Class 2 terrain with some loose rock. Start very early (3-4am) for this demanding day. The cross-shaped snow field is best viewed from outside the peak. Long but rewarding objective.
Gear and hazards
What to bring
Backpack (25–35 L)
Water
Offline Maps
Headlamp
Satellite Communicator
Whistle
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Hiking Boots
Midlayer
Insulated Jacket
Hardshell Jacket
Sun Hat
Warm Hat
Buff
Midweight Gloves
Trekking Poles
GPS Device
Power Bank
Water Filter
First-Aid Kit
Emergency Bivy
What to watch for
- Loose rock
- Low visibility
- Stream crossing
- Snow near summit
- Ice near summit
- Storms
- Altitude sickness
- High altitude
- High winds
- Steep exposure
- Route-finding difficulty
Mount of the Holy Cross on Yak
Climbers have shared 34 climbs of Mount of the Holy Cross on Yak. Read their trip reports and recent conditions in the app
Quests with Mount of the Holy Cross
Colorado 14ers
Lower 48 14ers
Colorado CentennialsPeaks near Mount of the Holy Cross
Frequently asked questions
How tall is Mount of the Holy Cross?
Mount of the Holy Cross is 14,005 feet (4,268 m) tall. It is in the Sawatch Range, Colorado.
How does Mount of the Holy Cross rank among the Colorado 14ers?
At 14,005 feet, Mount of the Holy Cross is the 56th highest of the 58 Colorado 14ers. The highest is Mount Elbert.
How hard is it to hike Mount of the Holy Cross?
The North Ridge is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort very hard: 11 miles with 5,600 feet of elevation gain.
How long does it take to hike Mount of the Holy Cross?
Most people take 8 – 12 hours round trip on the North Ridge, covering 11 miles with 5,600 feet of elevation gain. That is a long day, so start before dawn and set a turnaround time.
Can a beginner hike Mount of the Holy Cross?
The North Ridge needs no climbing skills, but it is a very hard day: 11 miles with 5,600 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 Mount of the Holy Cross?
You might. Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Mount of the Holy Cross reaches 14,005 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 Mount of the Holy Cross?
Early. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, so aim to be off the summit and the exposed upper mountain by early afternoon. At 8 – 12 hours round trip, many parties start in the dark.
When is the best time to hike Mount of the Holy Cross?
The usual hiking window is July to September. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.
What is the trailhead elevation for Mount of the Holy Cross?
The North Ridge starts at about 10,340 feet, roughly 3,665 feet below the summit.
Climb Mount of the Holy Cross 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