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Holy Cross via "the Notch" Traverse via Halo Ridge
Holy Cross via "the Notch" Traverse via Halo Ridge - August 4, 2012
At home
Drawing pictures
Of mountain tops - Pearl Jam
Notch Mountain: Elevation 13,237 Mount of the Holy Cross: Elevation 14,005 ...and all Points in between
Distance: 14.3 miles Elevation Gain: 5,593 ft. Solo Mission
After reading about this route in Gerry Roach's book, I figured it would be a good way to change things up on a day where the weather was predicted to be just about perfect. As a bonus, this variation of the Halo Ridge route was also a great way to escape the crowds.
Note: To the many time stamp haters : Time stamps have been removed from most of the pictures, except those where I thought they could be helpful. Thanks for the recommendation!
The Notch in Notch Mountain
I left the Jeep about 1/4 mile and 40 cars down the road and hit the TH about 7 AM. This route actually begins at the Halfmoon TH and uses the standard route until you reach Halfmoon Pass.
Treeline
Summit of Notch Mountain (northern terminus, the higher of the 2) - Elevation 13,237 with Holy Cross in the background.
My 1st look at the Notch Traverse. It is listed at Class 2+. My route finding skills are still a work in progress. There was certainly some Class 3 scrambling on my way through. Like anything, you could probably make it more difficult.
I navigated around the cliff walls and reascended the ridge through a narrow opening pictured far right to the left of the large rock.
The north face of the southern end of Notch Mountain as seen from inside the "Notch". It is very impressive.
A look back toward Notch Mountain's true summit to the north.
Looking northeast back on the Notch Mountain Shelter and Notch Mountain (far left) from Point 13,248 (ranked) along the Halo Ridge route.
A look back on Point 13,248, the Notch Mountain Shelter and Notch Mountain from Point 13,373.
After a pop tart and a long rest I still hadn't decided which route I wanted to take on the return. Weather was not a factor. Seeing that all but one of the other 45 people on the summit chose to descend the standard route, my decision was easy... back the way I came! The only difference being that once I reached the shelter, I descended the Halo Ridge route using the switchbacks along the Notch Mountain Trail, rather than reascend Notch Mountain.
A few pictures along Halo Ridge on the way back:
Thanks for reading!
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
Anna - Thanks - It will be great to see it in the winter. I'll be back for sure. To reiterate what lordhelmut just said in his TR - ”calling yourself lazy is comical” - haha
Doctor No - thanks - its gotta be the best way to hike this peak in the summer.
Greg - when you do it in half the time, i'm going to use the fact that i was still recovering from the Thursday 14er Happy Hour when I started this in my defense.
a94buff - Good luck on the orbital! The scenery is amazing. You will love it.
Jeff - the only thing scarier and more dangerous than Holy Cross... Marmots.
Dan - ”Roads ... where we're going, we don't need roads...” or trails! Thanks bossman.
Way to tackle one of the most dangerous mountains in the state, according to shoddy sources. And congrats on not orphaning Notch. I'm still mad at myself over that.
What flavor pop tart is that? Looks pretty bland to me, but I'm no connoisseur. Nice report and way to tackle the most dangerous mountain in North America in style. Looking forward to paying lots of money to hike up a hill with you soon.
Thanks for the great trip report! 8/12/2012 4:11am
Excellent pictures and a very descriptive trip report. We're thinking of this same variation next Saturday, 08/18. Is there any water along the way with this ascent? Also, what was your trip time?
I went back and reread your timestamp comment, so never mind about my trip time question. Duh! I would still like to know if there are any streams to get water on this ascent over Notch Mountain. Thanks.
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