Half Moon Pass Trailhead

EARLY OPENING
The Tigiwon road usually doesn't open each year until June 21st, but this year they opened it early. As of June 10th, it's open!

Location

RangeSawatch Range

Elevation10,320'

Lat/Lon39.50054, -106.43318

14ersMt. of the Holy Cross

Road Difficulty

1 2WD, easy dirt

2WD dirt to the TH.

Driving Directions

From Interstate 70, take Exit 171 and follow U.S. 24 to Minturn. Continue 3 miles and turn right (west) onto the Tigiwon dirt road. The road is a bit rugged but most cars can usually make it to the trailhead. Drive 8.5 miles to reach the trailhead, at the end of the road. IMPORTANT: The Tigiwon road is closed each year between November 22nd and June 21st but biking or hiking the road is allowed. If you plan on heading there around the time of the road opening, please contact the Holy Cross office of the US Forest Service Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger District at 970-827-5715 to see when they will be opening the gate.

On-Site Info

ParkingRoom for ~20 vehicles at the trailhead and then people start parking along the road.

CampingSmall campground at the trailhead or you can pack into the wilderness.

Restrooms?Yes

Fees?No

Photos

Winter Access

The Tigiwon road is usually closed on November 22nd each year but snow accumulation may cause it to be closed earlier. The winter closure is near the start of the road.

Trailhead added by BillMiddlebrook

Status Updates
Map


5/22/2026 Posted On: 5/23/2026 By: csf-lhiver Info: As of 2026.05.22 when I drove up there, Tigiwon Road is open and you can drive all the way to the trailhead. Camp ground is still closed.
9/20/2025 Posted On: 9/20/2025 By: ebrock98 Info: Subaru Legacy had no issues. Got to trailhead at 7AM and there were about 40 cars parked. Peak Aspen viewing.
8/22/2025 Posted On: 8/25/2025 By: maylemay1 Info: Made it up in a Subaru outback no problem. Got there around 2 on a friday and the campground was nearly empty but we ended up camping maybe a half mile down the road to save a few bucks. There are a number of dispersed sites along the road. I'd probably say that this is a level 2 road, definitely a bit rocky and not nearly as smooth as other level 1 roads I've done like Cottonwood Creek.
8/7/2025 Posted On: 8/7/2025 By: sehessler92 Info: I saw a sedan in the parking lot so if you really want to get to the TH in a sedan it is possible. The road to the trailhead doesn’t seem as bad as I remember it 5 years ago but there’s definitely some rocky areas.
7/3/2025 Posted On: 7/3/2025 By: BigNick21 Info: Made it all the way up the road in a Toyota Sienna minivan. However I did get 2 flat tires.
7/3/2025 Posted On: 7/3/2025 By: BigNick21 Info: Made it all the way up the road in a Toyota Sienna minivan. However I did get 2 flat tires.
6/28/2025 Posted On: 6/29/2025 By: bryanf Info: Open and dry. Drove a Tacoma 4x4. From the highway: About an hour going up (dark) and 45 minutes coming down. I see what the poster below means and maybe agree this is a level 2 road ("rough 2wd"). Not many terrain bumps/divots, mostly rocks. That being said, I saw a full length bus drive up and a soccer mom minivan passed me coming down.
6/23/2025 Posted On: 6/23/2025 By: Ryan987 Info: Open but a bit surprised at the rating of 1. Should be at least 2 IMO the road itself is well graded but is plagued by rocks and there are 2 "worse" sections closer to the top
10/5/2024 Posted On: 10/7/2024 By: MaryinColorado Info: Wow, this road is amazing! Bumpy, but nothing of consequence. A vehicle I affectionately named "a Tic Tac" made it to the trailhead just fine, and I was not surprised - because the road is in great condition. Couple rocky stretches, you just go slower. As previous review states, good idea to bring your own TP. This is one of the best vault toilets I've ever visited, but it did run out of TP. We had brought some, so it was no big deal. Aspens are far past peak, so most of the road is no longer scenic aspenery, just a couple patches here and there and lots of colorful leaves on the ground.			1
9/19/2024 Posted On: 9/20/2024 By: pater Info: Tigiwon Road was bumpy, especially just past the Community House, but nothing that couldn't be handled in a hatchback. Bathroom is open, but no TP when I was there-- bring your own. Had enough cell signal (T-Mobile) to text.
9/2/2024 Posted On: 9/2/2024 By: JackAndCaesar89 Info: Id give this a rough 2WD 2/6. You can make it in a sedan and I saw several at the TH, but its slow going and bumpy. There is a bathroom at the TH and plenty of parking on the road if it gets busy.
8/21/2024 Posted On: 8/21/2024 By: nathanolds146 Info: Not too bad for a trailhead road. If youre driving a 2wd sedan like me you should make it if youre careful. In front of the community house and 100ydsish after is the worst part.
7/21/2024 Posted On: 7/21/2024 By: mtngoatwithstyle Info: Road is in pretty good shape. Past the community house, a little bit rougher in parts but not much.
7/6/2024 Posted On: 7/6/2024 By: Rampaging Baloths Info: Passable by any car. Made it no problem in a Prius. Pretty rough though with a lot of rocks and potholes. Area around the community house is especially rough. Be wary of bottoming out if youre like me and have only a low clearance 2wd sedan. Just go slow and pick the line! In addition to my Prius I also saw 2 Honda fit at the th so be confident you can make it.	1
6/21/2024 Posted On: 6/21/2024 By: arianna2 Info: Open and road is clear. Fall creek trail without snow, just quite a bit of water. Shout out to forest service for all the hard work clearing the trail. We had to get around a lot of downfall on the way up but it was all clear on the way down. We hiked up to the shelter. Still some drifts but avoidable or short, no flotation needed.		3

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