Mt. of the Holy Cross

Route: North Ridge
Posted On: 7/24/2020, By: mtgoatmike
Info: Trail was very wet, some washed out sections in the forest just across East Creek heading up. Zero snow on trail. 

Route: Halo Ridge
Posted On: 7/27/2020, By: Btuperkwh
Info: Halo ridge to Mt of the Holy Cross and down the standard trail. Beautiful summer conditions, bring sunscreen - I got sun burned on the back of my neck. Took about 3.5 hours from the start of the ridge from the shelter to the Holy Cross summit. The summit was fogged in and I had to ask which direction to go for the standard route down as it is not evident - follow the large cairns with the sticks. Very long uneventful, boring hike down the standard route after spending a fun day along the ridge with the views. Be prepared for rock hopping the entire way of the ridge and a lot of up and down if you are hitting all the high points. 

Route: North Ridge
Posted On: 7/22/2020, By: Blue6String
Info: Beautiful summer conditions. However, it was super buggy. Mosquitos were thick below 12k. Moths all over the place. Descended via Halo Ridge and there was a spider on every boulder. Bring the Off. 

Route: North Ridge
Posted On: 7/18/2020, By: Msbaker
Info: Phenomenal trail. Beautiful mountain. Incredible summit views. Totally dry all the way to 14,005 feet. Even the Angelica Coulier was basically free from snow. Dispersed camping available three miles into the hike if you can't handle the complete distance. I will do this one again! 

Route: Cross Couloir
Posted On: 7/11/2020, By: davisschenk
Info: Cross Couloir is still in but fading fast. I descended via Halo Ridge which is in full summer conditions, 10:15 car to car. 

Route: North Ridge
Posted On: 7/11/2020, By: ClimberSkierDave64
Info: We went up and down the standard route in 8 hours. In my opinion, it is an easy day-hike that's not worth camping for. There are a ton of mosquitos below treeline. We didn't bring bug spray and definitely regretted it. The slog back up Halfmoon Pass sucks for the steeps switchbacks towards the bottom but after that, it wasn't that bad. The parking lot was almost full when we arrived at 5:00 A.M. but we really didn't see many people. 

Route: Cross Couloir
Posted On: 7/6/2020, By: ravenonthemountain
Info: Started with the Cross Couloir and took Halo Ridge back. 17 hour sufferfest! Cross was in good condition but fading. Halo Ridge was brutal unless you want to marry a boulder. Should have brought more water. Shelter was locked. Weather held up. I can laugh about it now. That is all. 

Route: North Ridge
Posted On: 7/3/2020, By: Jenna N S
Info: Other than the creek crossings, it was a perfectly dry trail and summer conditions. Trail runners were plenty. Also, I got a Mazda 3 up the gravel road just fine for those wondering about taking a lower clearance vehicle up to the trail head. There were a few spots that extra care was needed, but otherwise very manageable 

Route: North Ridge
Posted On: 6/30/2020, By: Herbert
Info: I summited Holy Cross on Sunday the 28th via the North Ridge under mostly ideal conditions. The photos are of Holy Cross taken near Half Moon Pass on the way out; the creek crossing; and a toll fee collector who staked out a position just below the summit ridge. For me this was a classic climb, so much character to it. I loved it! 

Route: Halo Ridge
Posted On: 6/28/2020, By: dwoodward13
Info: Essentially summer conditions. 1 or 2 snowfields to cross or bypass. Any snow is in inconsequential terrain and ax/spikes would be overkill to bring. 

Route: Cross Couloir
Posted On: 6/27/2020, By: slawrence2011
Info: I agree with Marshall's report. Just wanted to add a couple pictures. I skied only, and climbed up the North Ridge. I dropped in around 9, and the top was in great condition for skiing, even the steeper 45 degree section. The most challenging part was 1/2 to 2/3 down, where there was an approx. 5x5 runnel running through the middle with mostly steep walls. The nature of the terrain on either side required crossing the runnel, which was not ideal. 

Route: Cross Couloir
Posted On: 6/27/2020, By: Marshall
Info: Everything looks good up there; still a nice amount of snow. The snow seemed to get softer around the top and required a little bit of relocating. There are one or two rocks poking out of the middle of the couloir, but they're easily avoided. Don't underestimate the steepness or time commitment required here. You can walk right onto the summit. A guy skied down and looked fine as far as I could tell, but there is a big runnel on climber's right. You can avoid any snow on the way to the couloir. Tips: download the GPX file for peace of mind and start early! 

Route: North Ridge
Posted On: 6/24/2020, By: Unknown
Info: This route is basically summer conditions. Very enjoyable and quick for the elevation gain you get. Fun half day with cross couloir still in according to a skier named Graham 

Route: Cross Couloir
Posted On: 6/23/2020, By: Hsbromley
Info: My brother and I climbed the Cross Couloir route yesterday and descended the North Ridge route. Two snowfields exist before and after the Bowl of Tears, we crossed both without traction. GPX file was very helpful on the approach. Couloir was in good shape; we began the ascent a little after 8:30 and were at the top before 9:30. Snow was still supportive, with a few soft spots near the top and the choke where rocks are starting to poke through. A duo who were about 15mins ahead of us climbed up and skiied down, they dropped back in just before 10am. Don't forget bug spray. 

Route: North Ridge
Posted On: 6/19/2020, By: miri0729
Info: Started with a ride up the tigiwon road yesterday. Snow patches start around treeline on the trail at the ridge up to the peak but are solid in the morning and not a problem. Summer conditions just about the whole way up. Still a fair amount of snow going into the couloir from the summit.