|
As part of a training regiment for the long distance hikes and climbs in Utah and California to be done in August, Holy Cross with a North Ridge ascent and Halo Ridge descent looked favorable. This would finish the Sawatch Range fourteeners for me and also all fourteeners within a four hour drive from home. I arrived at the trailhead at 6:45 a.m. and parked up the road about 300 yards because of crowding. The trail heading up to Halfmoon Pass was well built and maintained (photo on right). I reached the pass after 40 minutes, and began the 970' descent to the other side of the pass. The trail sloped moderately for some time before steep switchbacks started.
|
 |
 |
Mount of the Holy Cross looked simply beautiful from just above the switchbacks (photo on left). I took a few photos and wasted little time arriving at East Cross Creek. I kept following the trail forks to the north, and did not look around for the log bridge to cross the creek. I reached the other side over some rocks, and began the quest to attain treeline again. This happened soon enough, and the talus-strewn North Face route appeared. After several subsequent switchbacks, the trail disappeared, though the route was fairly obvious. This moderate talus slope was a nice change from the high speed trail, employing hands for balance and gaining more altitude per step.
|
|
The views of Halo Ridge and Lake Patricia were magical. Climbing ever upward on the talus, I did not feel much of the altitude and kept a steady pace.
Reaching the top of the initial climb southwest to 13,400, the North Ridge looms above (photo on right). The route eased up a bit for the short distance west to the North Ridge proper. I used a fairly good trail for this scetion which continued to about 13,800'. At this point, two other groups had been to the summit as I saw them on their return. The weather was looking good for the time being, and my time was going to be faster than I expected.
|
 |
 |
A few talus hops and I was on the summit at 9:45 a.m. I was alone for 15 minutes, likely a rarity for the time of the year, though perhaps not the time of day. I spent about 30 minutes on the summit, looking down Cross Couloir, which was quite nasty looking for climbing this late in the year. I had originally intended to ascend that route, but upon reading a recent report, discovered the Couloir was in poor shape. I eyed the 3.7 mile Halo Ridge and started my way toward Holy Cross Ridge (13,831' - a ranked highest 100). The upclimb of Holy Cross Ridge was draining, though didn't take long. The view to Notch Mountain Shelter looked to entail a long and arduous event.
|
Below is a view of Halo Ridge from Holy Cross Ridge (Point 13,831). The quality of terrain on this traverse can best be described as talus - lots of it. The flat terrain sections are short-lived, and the upclimbing sections are a good test of stamina. The views became ever-better as the route progressed.
|
Clouds were starting to consolidate to the west and south around the time I attained point 13,248'. At 1:30 p.m. the traverse was at an end, and the gentle Fall Creek Trail would provide a quick and safe route back to the trailhead. A little rain prevailed on the descent. The Cross Couloir was melted out as shown in the photo below.
|
 |
 |