Beginner 14er

[gf1949]

I plan to hike mt. Holy cross this june 2016 however I am a beginner 65 years of age in good active health. Which route do you recommend that would be the easiest and without exposure to the edge etc.
Thx
GF

[CorduroyCalves]

I would recommend another first 14er. If you insist on Holy Cross, start early, listen to your body, and turn back if the conditions aren't favorable.

[peter303]

First thing to note is the tradtional Tigawon trailhead road usually doesnt open until late June. A combination of snow and elk migration. The road is fairly rough and recommended high clearance, though I've done it in a sedan. Check the trailhead reports here shortly before the trip.

Second its a fairly long 13 mile hike. Easier beginners are a third of that distance. Or you can break it up into a multi-day backpack trip as some do.

Third the standard trail has three climbs- a midway ridge in addition to the main mountain. I myself find multiple uphills more tiring than doing it all at once.

[Rollie Free]

I am somewhat newbi-ish myself (8 peaks so far). The last one I did was Holy Cross back in September (beautiful time to go btw).

I'll only relate my experience.

My first attempt was Mt. Massive. It was labeled an 'easy walkup'. For some maybe it is, for one initiated to high elevation hiking it was brutal. That learned me.
If I were you I would at least plan on doing a bunnyhill 14er such as Sherman first, 2 or 3 days prior. One, it would give you a glimpse of what you're in for and two it would help you acclimate.

Since my first attempt I learned how to train as a flatlander and have been having a ball every year I come out. But no amount of information would have prepared me better than experience.

That being said, Holy Cross is an awesome hike. I would suggest using the conventional route and backpacking in the first night. It isn't a terribly long hike into the camping spots, about 3 miles.

Prepare and expect hardship though.

[Jay521]

You and I are in the same age bracket and HC can certainly be done by people in our age range... But, as others have written, it can be a tough first one. Kinda depends on how you handle altitude. You don't say where you're from or if you have any experience at higher altitudes. If you do - and you are in good shape, HC is not out of the question. If I were in your position tho, I would probably want to start with something a little easier. If you blow right up the easy ones without breaking a sweat, then go for it!

A word of warning, tho - 14er's can become VERY addictive...As I've written before, there is a 58 step plan that is supposed to help but I think that just leads to a 13er addiction....

Good luck with whatever you choose, be safe and please let us know how it all turns out for you.

[Cruiser]

There's great camping along Cross Creek if you feel like breaking Holy Cross up into a coupe of days. But yeah, the standard route up the North Ridge is the one you'll want. CFI has done some nice work on the trail and it's not difficult to follow all the way to the summit.

It's a beautiful area. Highly recommended for sure.

[mtree]

Holy Cross is a tough first 14er. Get in shape! Unless you're packing in and camping, its going to be a long day no matter what. If you're planning on doing it in one shot, start super early. Depending on your conditioning, expect a minimum of 8 hours hiking, and possibly up to 12. Maybe more if you're out of gas.

You spend a long time above treeline so be wary of weather conditions. There's no quick and easy way out. Also, what no-one has mentioned; it isn't unheard of for folks (especially solo) to get lost in this expanse of a mountain. Once you break out of the forest take great notes of the entry point. Even a few pics looking back as you ascend along the ridge. Changing weather or fatigue and inattention can lead to disorientation. Mess up here and someone's calling SAR. If you go, have fun! It's a pretty cool adventure.

[sieggy80305]

My group is doing it this summer but we're breaking it up and camping.

[Jesse M]

The camping in Cross Creek is in designated spots only, I think 10 spots are available. No fires are allowed, just don't be that guy. Get there early on a weekend or you might not get a spot to camp, would potentially have to go back to the TH to camp, don't make an informal campsite in Cross Creek, that area is already over stressed by humans. I would not enjoy this trip without camping at Cross Creek, it is an amazing place to spend a few nights. Above treeline just follow the monster kairns and well placed steps to the summit and back. I don't think this would be a good first 14er, I would suggest Huron or Pikes from Crags. Also you don't need high clearance on Tigiwon, at least not for the past two years. I saw a Mazda miata at the TH in 2014, and drove my Astro with zero problems the past two years, some mud, but that is fun to drive through. My suggestion is to save HC for when you are in 14er shape and make a multi day trip out of it.

[gf1949]

Thanks everyone for your replies. More helpful than trying to read about Mt. Holy Cross. I might try an easier 14er since I'm coming from Kansas.

[CorduroyCalves]

Thanks everyone for your replies. More helpful than trying to read about Mt. Holy Cross. I might try an easier 14er since I'm coming from Kansas.

That's a good plan. Sherman, Bierstadt, Quandary, Grays/Torreys, Democrat. . . all worthy first 14ers. Then once you get a few under your belt, give Holy Cross a shot.

[Rollie Free]

Thanks everyone for your replies. More helpful than trying to read about Mt. Holy Cross. I might try an easier 14er since I'm coming from Kansas.

But man, make Holy Cross a mission in the future. Someone called it more than a hike, its an experience. I'll add for myself, its a spiritual journey. The Cross, Halo Ridge, Pool of Tears, Angelique Coulier... a lot of Christian imagery.

It isn't technical nor does it have any tougher spots than any other class 2 fourteener. Just longer. I have been ready to move on to the next one but not HC. I'd go back in a hearbeat.