Notch Mountain, Holy Cross Ridge, Whitney Peak Loop in White River National Forest, CO

Hike Notch Mountain, Holy Cross Ridge, Whitney Peak Loop White River National Forest, CO

Class 3 17.6 miles 6600 gain 10-14 hrs Loop Jul 30, 2023
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Notch Mountain, Holy Cross Ridge, Whitney Peak Loop GPX Track

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Mount of the Holy Cross is a popular Colorado 14er that I'd hiked years ago, but I wanted to return to the area to reach its neighboring 13ers. This route forms a loop that starts along Halo Ridge, which connects Notch Mountain to Mount of the Holy Cross, then drops down to the Fall Creek Trail to get back. Normally, the Halo Ridge route is completed by taking the Notch Mountain Trail up along Halo Ridge, then up to Mount of the Holy Cross before using the standard route to return to the trailhead. I was more interested in the route described here, which my friends Whiley and Marisa had done. It's significantly more effort to get notably more peaks, but I highly recommend it.

It's usually hard coordinating with people on these trips since I never know where I'm going to be on a given day, and honestly really neither does anyone else, so two days in a row of making successful plans with new friends was an exciting phenomenon. Intending to pass out early, I drove the long, winding good dirt road to reach the Half Moon trailhead. Amanda poked her head out of her car and we started talking, almost immediately making fun of each other. We chatted briefly about how fast we wanted to move tomorrow, footwear choices, and other normal hiker/runner stuff before quickly devolving into conversation about pooping and deep backstory introductions. A few hours flew by, so there went my plans for lots of sleep. "So… wake up at 4:45 to beat the storms?" she asked. I almost cried, but agreed.

We had the option of starting our hike by taking the Fall Creek Trail #2001 to the Notch Mountain Trail #2000 and reach Halo Ridge that way. This is a common option that uses a completely on-trail experience to reach a little stone shelter at the top of the Notch Mountain Trail. The problem with going this way was that it skipped over the actual high point of Notch Mountain, an unranked 13er that both Amanda and I were interested in. So, this meant taking the north ridge of Notch Mountain, a boulder-hopping extravaganza. While taking the trails would have shaved off a bunch of time and effort, we were ultimately both happy with our choice. We started along the Half Moon Trail, quickly reaching Half Moon Pass. This was the last we'd be on a real trail for a while. Once we left Half Moon Pass using a social trail, we were now confronted with a steep and bouldery slope. Additionally, there's an old unmarked trail that navigates around the east side of the slope, presumably skipping most of the boulder-hopping, but we decided to just beeline up the boulders instead.

The first few hundred feet up the initial slope topped off at the ridge crest with steeper section of bigger boulders, where Mount of the Holy Cross came into view. Along the ridgeline the boulder-hopping becomes more tame, but there are a few obstacles requiring Class 2 workarounds. From the summit of Notch Mountain we could see the shelter at the end of the official trail, but separating us from it was a deep notch for which the peak is named. To overcome the notch, we started down by keeping just left of the crest only a short time before it was clear the route wouldn't continue from this side. Instead, a social trail continues over the ridge and onto the right side of the crest beneath substantial cliffs. Navigating below these cliffs took some minimal route-finding, and the difficulty never exceeded Class 2/3. Keeping too high added more risk, while too low meant navigating loose terrain. We managed to find a happy medium navigating into the notch and then back out. The ascent back to the crest was trickier though, since tempting Class 4/5 options begin presenting themselves, while a Class 3 option awaits just past all of these. Amanda, a burlier scrambler than I, poked around on at least a couple of these options saying "this looks fun!" on repeat, but I wasn't having any of them. Instead, I recommend a short chute followed by a couple of short spurts of scrambling to ascend more safely to the tundra-covered ridge above.

It was a nice stroll down to the Notch Mountain shelter, where we checked out the inside briefly before continuing on to Peak 13253, our first ranked 13er of the day. I picked up a backpacking hitchhiker on the drive down later on, and she explained that the historic shelter at the end of the Notch Mountain Trail can be used to escape lightning storms since there's an attached metal rod, but camping inside is prohibited. Peak 13253 was just a Class 2 lump along Halo Ridge that gave us a nice view of the traverse to come, but otherwise wasn't noteworthy.

Halo Ridge continued as Class 2 boulder-hopping, slowly losing some elevation and then regaining it up to the far eastern base of Holy Cross Ridge, our second 13er. To reachit, we had to first ascend a steep Class 2 talus slope a few hundred feet to a false summit. We took a little break to roll around in a patch of remaining snow. A hike through mostly flat, open tundra led us from the false summit to the base of Holy Cross Ridge, where more Class 2 talus brought us to its high point.

Our original plan was that from here I would continue south since I'd already done Mount of the Holy Cross, while Amanda would head north to the 14er and return to the trailhead via the standard route. I didn't want to come off sounding too obsessed with her, so I tried to be casual when I exclaimed "I'm obsessed with you, let's hike more". So the new plan became that we'd do my intended route, but also tack on her 14er, meaning we were both doing more than intended. What's a bit more work? I think we both sort of knew this would happen from the start, but had kept it open-ended due to the weather forecast, and because when meeting a new person it's nice to have a bail excuse just in case your capabilities/vibe isn't in sync.

The hike from Holy Cross Ridge to Mount of the Holy Cross was more of the same Class 2 boulder-hopping we'd experienced for most of the day, and while there was no trail it was very straightforward. We took in the incredible views from Mount of the Holy Cross for only a minute before noting clouds building. I hoped it wasn't too obvious that I'd be annoyed if we had to skip Whitney Peak later on due to weather, but Amanda totally took note and I could tell she felt low-key responsible since I'd lost precious time joining her for the 14er. The result was that we started moving more quickly. Rather than re-ascend Holy Cross Ridge, we kept to its western slope, contouring on boulders that grew progressively larger. I'd say it's likely you'll pull at least a couple of Class 3 moves on these, but maybe we were just moving too quickly to waste time looking for the path of least resistance. Once we rejoined the ridge crest, the Class 2 route to Peak 13786 was straightforward. The peak's east face was an impressive cliff, and the views down toward the Tuhare Lakes was nice, if darkened by growing clouds.

From the summit of Peak 13786 we analyzed our descent options to the Seven Sisters Lakes below, determining the least unpleasant route would be to drop east from the summit and then make a descending traverse to the right to reach the upper, largest lake. Especially farther down, there are hidden cliffs along the way shielded by a sea of talus/scree, so this actually ended up being the right choice. The descent didn't exceed Class 2, but it was a bit slower-moving due to steepness. We each had more than one slip on the loose terrain. The slope became more tame as we neared its base.

Reaching Fall Creek Pass was our next goal, but to get there we had to navigate some complex terrain. We could see the pass ahead on the north side of Whitney Peak, our final 13er of the day. Many little cliffs form a maze of obstacles through the tundra from the upper Seven Sisters Lake over to Fall Creek Pass. It was tempting to just side-hill to the pass to avoid descending additional elevation, but the slopes seemed tricky and we were fine with having to regain a couple hundred feet if it meant a more straightforward route. We set out by wrapping around the upper Seven Sisters Lake using residual snow on its banks, which we used to more easily navigate the cliffy terrain that surrounds it. We then continued through lumpy tundra as it began to descend toward the next Seven Sisters Lake. I'm confident we did not choose the best option here, though it worked out fine. We had a short spurt of Class 3 to descend from the cliffs, but it's likely you can work through the cliffs from another direction. Regardless, we found the unique navigation around/through a variety of outcroppings while on pleasant grasses enjoyable.

We managed to reach the Fall Creek Trail, which we only stayed on a short time before leaving it in order to head up to Whitney Peak. Unlike the more dramatic 13ers along Halo Ridge from earlier in the day, Whitney Peak is just a big lump of tundra with embedded talus, gradually ascending to the summit over what felt like a long time. Maybe it was the looming storm that made us feel like Whitney Peak took so long? A false summit along the way gave us a view of the true summit to the east, a large boulder that's barely higher. The entire ascent to the base of this summit blockis only Class 2, but hilariously, Whitney Peak is among the most technical 13ers in Colorado due to the boulder's YDS 5.6 rating. Amanda and I both managed to tap the top of the boulder using a stack of rocks and called it good. Friends gave me some crap about that later, but I'm calling it an ascent.

We backtracked to the Fall Creek Trail and hurriedly made our way along it as the rain began. The trail was absolutely gorgeous, steep cliffs to the north, bright green tundra everywhere, and water runoff flowing around us. While the trail was well-defined, it was often steep and a bit rockyas we made our way down to Lake Constantine. We were happy to be back below tree line, and now feeling more safe, I took a moment to look back up toward Whitney Peak just in time to watch a bolt of lightning strike near the summit. We'd just been up there a half hour ago, so that was pretty scary to think about. After recounting this later to my friend Ben, he replied "hopefully it destroyed the stupid summit block".

We didn't go to Lake Constantine since it was a bit out of the way and heavier rain seemed imminent. Now free of danger and on a well-groomed trail, Amanda was clearly itching to run back, the runner that she is. Preferring to preserve my legs for the many more hiking days I have on this trip, I told her to go on without me. We gave hugs and vowed to plan more fun outings. I was now alone to enjoy the greenery at a more leisurely pace, an occasional clearing giving me great views into the canyon housing Fall Creek below. I passed the junction with the Notch Mountain Trail, which we'd opted to skip at the start of the hike. The Fall Creek Trail undulated a bit, racking up about 400 additional vertical gain over the course of the many miles it took to return to the Half Moon Trailhead.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Notch Mountain
13243 ft
198 rise
2
Peak 13253
13253 ft
326 rise
3
Holy Cross Ridge
13850 ft
358 rise
4
Mount of the Holy Cross
14007 ft
2120 rise
5
Peak 13786
13786 ft
388 rise
6
Whitney Peak
13286 ft
719 rise

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After ascending to Half Moon Pass, we headed up the rocky slope seen ahead.
After ascending to Half Moon Pass, we headed up the rocky slope seen ahead.
Leaving the trail, taking this social trail marked by a cairn.
Leaving the trail, taking this social trail marked by a cairn.
Ascending directly up the Class 2 bouldery slope.
Ascending directly up the Class 2 bouldery slope.
View back. We came up from the Half Moon Trail, seen on the right in the trees.
View back. We came up from the Half Moon Trail, seen on the right in the trees.
Bigger boulders higher up.
Bigger boulders higher up.
Along the ridgeline to Notch Mountain.
Along the ridgeline to Notch Mountain.
The boulder-hopping becomes more tame, but there are a few obstacles like this one.
The boulder-hopping becomes more tame, but there are a few obstacles like this one.
Nearing Notch Mountain, Mount of the Holy Cross seen on the right.
Nearing Notch Mountain, Mount of the Holy Cross seen on the right.
View back at our progress along the ridge.
View back at our progress along the ridge.
Notch Mountain.
Notch Mountain.
Continuing down from Notch Mountain. Keep right of the crest.
Continuing down from Notch Mountain. Keep right of the crest.
On the right side of the crest.
On the right side of the crest.
View back toward the "notch" of Notch Mountain.
View back toward the "notch" of Notch Mountain.
View back toward Notch Mountain and the "notch" after skirting below the cliffs.
View back toward Notch Mountain and the "notch" after skirting below the cliffs.
Amanda went up this Class 4 way, but Class 3 is found just to the right up a small chute, followed by a couple of spurts of scrambling.
Amanda went up this Class 4 way, but Class 3 is found just to the right up a small chute, followed by a couple of spurts of scrambling.
View back down as we head up some Class 3. The route came from the slope on the right beneath the cliffs.
View back down as we head up some Class 3. The route came from the slope on the right beneath the cliffs.
View back as we ascend to the weakness to regain the crest on another short scramble section.
View back as we ascend to the weakness to regain the crest on another short scramble section.
Above the traverse from Notch Mountain, we reached the stone shelter at the end of the Notch Mountain Trail. Peak 13253 seen on the right.
Above the traverse from Notch Mountain, we reached the stone shelter at the end of the Notch Mountain Trail. Peak 13253 seen on the right.
Inside the Notch Mountain shelter.
Inside the Notch Mountain shelter.
View back as we continue to Peak 13253. You can see the stone cabin right of center.
View back as we continue to Peak 13253. You can see the stone cabin right of center.
Descending from Peak 13253. Whitney Peak seen on the left.
Descending from Peak 13253. Whitney Peak seen on the left.
Continuing along the Class 2 ridge, Mount of the Holy Cross seen far right. Holy Cross Ridge center.
Continuing along the Class 2 ridge, Mount of the Holy Cross seen far right. Holy Cross Ridge center.
Progress along the ridge. Ahead is a steep Class 2 slope to a false summit.
Progress along the ridge. Ahead is a steep Class 2 slope to a false summit.
View back along Halo Ridge.
View back along Halo Ridge.
Class 2 up the false summit.
Class 2 up the false summit.
Peak 13253 seen back there.
Peak 13253 seen back there.
View back at our progress as we ascend the slope.
View back at our progress as we ascend the slope.
Nearing the false summit.
Nearing the false summit.
Above the Class 2 slope, view back the way we came.
Above the Class 2 slope, view back the way we came.
Onward to Holy Cross Ridge, right.
Onward to Holy Cross Ridge, right.
View south toward the Tuhare Lakes and Whitney Peak (center).
View south toward the Tuhare Lakes and Whitney Peak (center).
Another shot back at our progress along Halo Ridge.
Another shot back at our progress along Halo Ridge.
Mostly tundra with some embedded rocks past the false summit. Holy Cross Ridge seen top right.
Mostly tundra with some embedded rocks past the false summit. Holy Cross Ridge seen top right.
Progress up to Holy Cross Ridge, view back.
Progress up to Holy Cross Ridge, view back.
Mount of the Holy Cross seen right, Holy Cross Ridge left.
Mount of the Holy Cross seen right, Holy Cross Ridge left.
Holy Cross Ridge, view back.
Holy Cross Ridge, view back.
Holy Cross Ridge, view toward Mount of the Holy Cros.
Holy Cross Ridge, view toward Mount of the Holy Cros.
View back after dropping from Holy Cross Ridge on the way to Mount of the Holy Cross.
View back after dropping from Holy Cross Ridge on the way to Mount of the Holy Cross.
Straightforward to Mount of the Holy Cross.
Straightforward to Mount of the Holy Cross.
Nearing Mount of the Holy Cross, view back toward Holy Cross Ridge.
Nearing Mount of the Holy Cross, view back toward Holy Cross Ridge.
Class 2 to the summit.
Class 2 to the summit.
Mount of the Holy Cross summit, view toward Notch Mountain (left).
Mount of the Holy Cross summit, view toward Notch Mountain (left).
Mount of the Holy Cross, view toward Holy Cross Ridge (right) and Whitney Peak (back left).
Mount of the Holy Cross, view toward Holy Cross Ridge (right) and Whitney Peak (back left).
Back toward Holy Cross Ridge, but rather than reascend we just headed directly below it.
Back toward Holy Cross Ridge, but rather than reascend we just headed directly below it.
View back as we bypass Holy Cross Ridge. Class 2+ on large boulders.
View back as we bypass Holy Cross Ridge. Class 2+ on large boulders.
Onward to Peak 13786.
Onward to Peak 13786.
Peak 13786 ahead.
Peak 13786 ahead.
Cool face on Peak 13786.
Cool face on Peak 13786.
Peak 13786 summit, view back.
Peak 13786 summit, view back.
Peak 13786, view south. Whitney Pea seen left. We descended to the lake seen center (one of the Seven Sisters Lakes).
Peak 13786, view south. Whitney Pea seen left. We descended to the lake seen center (one of the Seven Sisters Lakes).
Steep Class 2 slope. We started toward the lake, then cut to the right to avoid cliffs below.
Steep Class 2 slope. We started toward the lake, then cut to the right to avoid cliffs below.
Amanda took a little (hilarious) tumble.
Amanda took a little (hilarious) tumble.
Approaching Seven Sisters Lakes.
Approaching Seven Sisters Lakes.
We kept to the right of the lake.
We kept to the right of the lake.
View back at the slope we just descending, Peak 13786 seen top right.
View back at the slope we just descending, Peak 13786 seen top right.
Gorgeous lake.
Gorgeous lake.
Whitney Peak ahead, but there was some navigating around cliffs we had to overcome.
Whitney Peak ahead, but there was some navigating around cliffs we had to overcome.
Our route from Seven Sisters Lakes to the Fall Creek Trail had a short spurt of Class 3, but you can likely find another option.
Our route from Seven Sisters Lakes to the Fall Creek Trail had a short spurt of Class 3, but you can likely find another option.
View back at our Class 3 navigation.
View back at our Class 3 navigation.
Whitney Peak seen ahead. We reached the Fall Creek Trail in the center of this photo.
Whitney Peak seen ahead. We reached the Fall Creek Trail in the center of this photo.
View back after reaching the Fall Creek Trail.
View back after reaching the Fall Creek Trail.
Along the Fall Creek Trail, ascending for a bit before leaving it again for Whitney Peak.
Along the Fall Creek Trail, ascending for a bit before leaving it again for Whitney Peak.
Onward to Whitney Peak.
Onward to Whitney Peak.
View back, Peak 13786 seen center.
View back, Peak 13786 seen center.
Class 2 up Whitney Peak.
Class 2 up Whitney Peak.
Another shot back as we near the summit of Whitney Peak.
Another shot back as we near the summit of Whitney Peak.
Whitney Peak ahead.
Whitney Peak ahead.
Summit block of Whitney Peak.
Summit block of Whitney Peak.
After backtracking, we continued along the Fall Creek Trail. It was really gorgeous.
After backtracking, we continued along the Fall Creek Trail. It was really gorgeous.
Trail hike the whole way back, excellent views as we descended.
Trail hike the whole way back, excellent views as we descended.
The Fall Creek Trail winds down toward Lake Constantine.
The Fall Creek Trail winds down toward Lake Constantine.
Cute lake along the way.
Cute lake along the way.
Lake Constantine seen below. We didn't go to it, so we only had little glimpses.
Lake Constantine seen below. We didn't go to it, so we only had little glimpses.
View back up at our progress along the Fall Creek Trail.
View back up at our progress along the Fall Creek Trail.
We entered tree line, welcome as storms rolled in.
We entered tree line, welcome as storms rolled in.
Beautiful forest.
Beautiful forest.
View back. The trail undulated a bit, but was mostly a descent.
View back. The trail undulated a bit, but was mostly a descent.
Another shot back.
Another shot back.
Continuing through the forest for miles along the Fall Creek Trail.
Continuing through the forest for miles along the Fall Creek Trail.
Occasional open meadows.
Occasional open meadows.
Image 80 from gallery
Another shot back as the trail traverses the slope.
Another shot back as the trail traverses the slope.
Open view to the north, not long before reaching the trailhead.
Open view to the north, not long before reaching the trailhead.

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