If you plan on doing this hike, there are many helpful trip reports about it loaded with pictures and beta. I would recommend reviewing those and downloading the route pictures with Bill's commentary on the 14ers app. This is meant to be more of a brief supplemental post for those less experienced like myself that answers some of the questions/concerns I had going into the hike. I wish I had taken certain pictures to provide more beta, but I didn't plan on writing this.

ROAD: It is rated easy 4WD, and that sounds about right. There was a Honda CRV parked at the trailhead, and on my way up, I passed some Prius-adjacent cars on their way down. It can be rough and steep in some spots and there are areas with navigable potholes. If you can get up the first mile, you should be fine. It's eight miles and rough most of the way, so take that into account in your drive time.

PARKING: I pulled into the trailhead at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday night. There were a few spots available. I carcamped, so I drove back down the road about a mile to a great dispersed camping site for some solitude. There are many such sites along the length of the road. I never checked out the campground. There is a bathroom at the trailhead, and it was probably the cleanest trailhead bathroom I've been in. When I rolled into the trailhead the next morning at 4:15 a.m., the lot was full. No worries though, you can park on the road.

THE ROUTE: This hike is the real deal. Take heed of all of the disclaimers. Strava tends to pad my stats. Mileage: 13.58 miles. Elevation: 6,731 feet. Elapsed Time: 10:37:54. My guess is the route is closer to 12 miles with ~6,000 feet of gain. I hike at a moderate pace.

ROUTE DISCLAIMERS

NOTCH MOUNTAIN: To ascend Notch Mountain, Roach's book suggests you can follow a rough trail that circumvents the mountain until you take easy switchbacks up the east face. Or you can yeet up the slope's north ridge by talus-hopping. I chose option two, and I chose poorly. About halfway up, I decided I didn't like it anymore so I traversed around the mountain until I joined up with the rough trail. Just do yourself a favor and take the trail. You'll have the rest of the day to slog up talus.

TRAVERSING THE NOTCH: There is excellent beta with pictures in some trip reports on this site. I agree the crux of this entire route (technically-speaking), if you choose the easiest path, is a class 3ish move downclimbing the Notch through a mini-chimney onto a ledge with some exposure. From there, you'll quickly move around the "shark fin" to the west side of the ridge. I suggest sticking close to the cliffs rather than contouring down on loose gravel, because I thought that is where was the best rock and there will be plenty of elevation-loss in your future. Eventually, you'll have to climb down and up through two rock ribs. The first rock rib has two ways through it. A class 3ish route to hiker's left, and a class 2ish move straight ahead. I chose the class 3ish route, and it was only a handful of moves on solid rock. From there, you climb down and back up through a second rock rib. This route is more defined and probably class 2. Once through it, you're done with the traverse and about 70 feet below ridgeline. My .GPX is attached. I brought BigNick21's, and I found it super helpful - BigNick21's trip report.

THE BIG DAY: This hike is physically and mentally taxing. Climbing up and down talus-covered points and summits while feeling like I wasn't getting any closer to the summit challenged my will several times. Much of the hike is above 13,000 feet. Bailout options are few and far between, and if you are successful bailing out, you are in wilderness miles from the trailhead. I think it makes sense to assess how you're doing at the pilgrim's cabin. If you aren't feeling well and fully committed, call it. If you didn't bring enough food and water, call it. If the weather is shaky, call it. There's always another day.

THE BERMUDA TRIANGLE: Since I came up the other side, I was worried about missing the turn east to Half Moon Pass based on the mountain's history. I put a waypoint on my map to avoid that mistake. I never needed it, because CFI built a great trail. I can see how people could make the mistake of continuing down the ridge to Cross Creek instead of turning east. I am hopeful nobody will make that mistake anymore, especially with five of the giant cairns spray-painted bright yellow. The spray paint seemed antithetical to Leave No Trace principles, but I guess it makes sense to avoid any further tragedies or SAR rescues.

CLIMBING BACK UP HALF MOON: On its face, climbing back up Half Moon seemed like a daunting way to finish the day. I would say it wasn't as bad as I expected. The bottom half is gentle switchbacks, and the top half is a gentle incline on a nice trail. I thought this perspective provided the best views of a secluded Mt. of the Holy Cross. From the top, its about 1.5 miles of smooth declination on nice trail to the trailhead.

WATER/HEAT: It was a hot day, and there is no shade for most of it. The heat coming down the mountain was rough and took its toll. I was red-lining heat exhaustion and had to take sporadic breaks in the shade once I made it to the trees. Most of the groups on their way back from hiking the standard trail were doing the same. I brought 3L of water and 1L of electrolytes. One big gulp finished my water supply on the final stretch down Half Moon Pass after rationing it most of the way down the mountain. Crossing East Cross Creek without a water filter was the mountain's last laugh. An emergency water filter bottle for that exact situation will be my next purchase at REI.

All in all, this is a classic route on a unique mountain. The wilderness is beautiful. If you have the fitness, give it a shot when the conditions are right. I hope this report is informative and helpful.