One of Colorado's best known 14ers, the legendary Mount of the Holy Cross is famous for the east facing cross couloir, which fills with snow and forms a well defined cross. Erosion has made the cross less defined in the last 100 years. First discovered in 1869, it became the destination of Christian pilgrimages early in the 20th century, and continues to sport a colorful history that persists to this day.
The mountain is only 14 miles from the Vail ski area, and can be seen from a number of vantages, but for an intimate look at the mountain's namesake cross on the east face, one must climb up and over neighboring Notch Mountain to see it. There are two common routes to the top - Halfmoon Pass or Notch Mountain combined with Halo Ridge - both are Class 2 climbs. They can be combined into a loop for a very long day trek. A Class 3 steep snow and ice climb up the Cross Couloir is another route possibility for those looking for a moderate technical challenge. Angelica Couloir and Tear Drop are excellent alternate routes that still require going over Notch Mountain.
Mount of the Holy Cross was once a National Monument, but lost this status in the 50s. The area and the mountain became a wilderness during the 70s. The Holy Cross Wilderness is one of Colorado's shining jewels of nature's majesty. Unparalleled beauty adorns this beautiful plae of solitude, which teems with wildlife and flows free with an abundance of water.
The mountain is only 14 miles from the Vail ski area, and can be seen from a number of vantages, but for an intimate look at the mountain's namesake cross on the east face, one must climb up and over neighboring Notch Mountain to see it. There are two common routes to the top - Halfmoon Pass or Notch Mountain combined with Halo Ridge - both are Class 2 climbs. They can be combined into a loop for a very long day trek. A Class 3 steep snow and ice climb up the Cross Couloir is another route possibility for those looking for a moderate technical challenge. Angelica Couloir and Tear Drop are excellent alternate routes that still require going over Notch Mountain.
Mount of the Holy Cross was once a National Monument, but lost this status in the 50s. The area and the mountain became a wilderness during the 70s. The Holy Cross Wilderness is one of Colorado's shining jewels of nature's majesty. Unparalleled beauty adorns this beautiful plae of solitude, which teems with wildlife and flows free with an abundance of water.
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