Download Agreement, Release, and Acknowledgement of Risk:
You (the person requesting this file download) fully understand mountain climbing ("Activity") involves risks and dangers of serious bodily injury, including permanent disability, paralysis, and death ("Risks") and you fully accept and assume all such risks and all responsibility for losses, costs, and damages you incur as a result of your participation in this Activity.
You acknowledge that information in the file you have chosen to download may not be accurate and may contain errors. You agree to assume all risks when using this information and agree to release and discharge 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. and the author(s) of such information (collectively, the "Released Parties").
You hereby discharge the Released Parties from all damages, actions, claims and liabilities of any nature, specifically including, but not limited to, damages, actions, claims and liabilities arising from or related to the negligence of the Released Parties. You further agree to indemnify, hold harmless and defend 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. and each of the other Released Parties from and against any loss, damage, liability and expense, including costs and attorney fees, incurred by 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. or any of the other Released Parties as a result of you using information provided on the 14ers.com or 14ers Inc. websites.
You have read this agreement, fully understand its terms and intend it to be a complete and unconditional release of all liability to the greatest extent allowed by law and agree that if any portion of this agreement is held to be invalid the balance, notwithstanding, shall continue in full force and effect.
By clicking "OK" you agree to these terms. If you DO NOT agree, click "Cancel"...
Date Climbed: 10-17-08
Trailhead: Half Moon (Tigiwon)
Route: Halo Ridge
Total Mileage: 13.5 miles
Total Elevation Gain: 5,357 ft
Class 2+
10-16-08 Walt arrived at the Half Moon Campground late afternoon. We pitched camp and had a relaxing evening by the campfire shooting the breeze.
10-17-08 By 7:00am we were on our way up the Fall Creek/ Notch Mountain Trail. The trail gradually ascends up the Fall Creek drainage. At the base of Notch Mountain the trail steepens and a grundle (30+) of switchbacks begin up to the Notch Mountain Shelter.
A couple of lakes in the upper Fall Creek drainage below the switchbacks.
The elusive pika soaking up some rays!
At the top of the switchbacks you reach the Notch Mountain shelter with a great view of Holy Cross
From the shelter we took a short side detour to the south summit of Notch Mountain. Unfortunaltey we did not have rope and other gear needed to make the descent into the notch and back up to the north summit. From what we could see it looked class 5.
Notch Mountain North (13,237 ft), 13 feet higher than the south summit.
Holy Cross from Notch Mountain south.
From Notch Mountain we hiked back to the shelter and onward to PT. 13,248.
Bowl of Tears.
Looking back on PT13,248.
Route to PT13,373
Route to PT13,831
PT13,831
Tuhare Lakes
Upper Tuhare Lake
View of Holy Cross from PT13,831
View from Holy Cross summit to the west.
View from north from Holy Cross Summit. Route in red follows the ridge to the valley bottom, very rocky and somewhat a miserable descent with a little snow.
We descended via the north ridge of Holy Cross and tied into the Half Moon trail, up and over halfmoon pass, and back to Half Moon Campground. We arrived back at the truck at about 5:30pm.
View north into Cross Creek (Patricia Lake) and Halfmoon Pass from Holy Cross Summit. The blue line represents a very rough estimate of where the trail is located.
The descent from Holy Cross was the least enjoyable part of the hike due to a few inches of snow making the rock hopping a bit tedious. If someone hadn't broken trail up already through the snow from the bottom of East Cross Creek, finding the trail below treeline would have been a chore coming down. The trek around Halo Ridge was exceptional and highly recommend it. We took our time and enjoyed the vistas along the way.
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
Very nice report, and pics! Even after my ugly experience on Holy Cross this summer (see my TR), these pics make me want to go back and do the Halo Ridge...and that says a lot!
Thanks! I remember reading your TR over the summer, our trip was much less eventful. Having done Halo Ridge and come out the standard route, Halo Ridge it much more scenic and enjoyable in comparison. It‘s well worth going back for!! It would be a long haul of bouldering and rock hopping for the pups though.
I was fortunate like you and had great weather when I was there in July. Makes you appreciate it reading the misfortunes of others (though that makes a more a dramatic story!, but that‘s OK I‘ll take great weather anytime). Anyway, I especially enjoyed your pic of HC from S. Notch.
Pappy: Thanks for posting, a good read and the section-by-section photos were great. A few questions if you have a minute: The terrain looks more 2+ than 3/4, do you agree? There doesen‘t seem to be any real exposure, or am I off on that? I know there‘s not much snow there now, but any sense that the approach up to Notch Mountain has any avalanche potential? I was thinking of trying this as a winter ascent so your report was great and timely. Many thanks,
-Tom
There was only 2-4 inches of fresh snow up the Notch Mtn trail in places. Mostly in the trail itself. No avalanche potential as of the 17th. I would agree on the 2+ with no needed exposure.
Caution: The information contained in this report may not be accurate and should not be the only resource used in preparation for your climb. Failure to have the necessary experience, physical conditioning, supplies or equipment can result in injury or death. 14ers.com and the author(s) of this report provide no warranties, either express or implied, that the information provided is accurate or reliable. By using the information provided, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless 14ers.com and the report author(s) with respect to any claims and demands against them, including any attorney fees and expenses. Please read the 14ers.com Safety and Disclaimer pages for more information.
Please respect private property: 14ers.com supports the rights of private landowners to determine how and by whom their land will be used. In Colorado, it is your responsibility to determine if land is private and to obtain the appropriate permission before entering the property.