Tom Grundy's Mount Of The Holy Cross Page

August 8, 2016 I had over a week break from 14ers at the OR show. I wouldn't say it was restful, but it was nice to not be hiking up and downhill every day. It also was really hot down in the lowlands. Nalumon had a bit of a break too and she re-learned that one should always bring a Tom or a headlamp when they go hiking - preferably both. We met and drove up the dirt road to the trailhead the night before we would do the peak. Once more there was a chance of afternoon thunderstorms and this was going to be a longer day than most.

8-9 I delivered coffee at 5:30 but because we hadn't done any 14ers for a bit it took longer to get everything together to go and we didn't depart until 6:40. It was nice to have some new gear from the OR show though - thanks especially for the new trekking poles Leki. We started off heading uphill in a trail through the woods for a few hours. We didn't even see the peak until we came around the ridge over Half Moon Pass. I think we were too late in the year to see the iconic snow cross on the mountain - and we were sort of off to the side for that view anyway. The Mountain was still a long ways away and as we traversed closer we could see how far down we had to go before heading up again. I don't really like losing elevation when I know I just have to go back up again (and it would mean an extra 1,000 feet up heading both in and out). We dropped down to the valley and passed a number of campsites and a creek before heading back up the other side to the North Ridge. Then the uphill started in earnest.

we finally saw the peak after rounding Half Moon Pass

we have to get up there - with only our legs?

The trail switchbacked and traversed up through the trees before breaking out above treeline. The miles and steady uphill were taking their toll and we weren't moving very fast. Once we got up onto the ridge we moved a little faster but the final slope up to the summit was slow and had a lot of big rocks. We saw a few other people on this trip. As usual most were ahead of us or heading down as we were coming up. We made the summit around 1:15 and didn't stay long because we could see some rain cells and dark clouds off in the distance in more than one direction. Things were definitely building and we didn't want to be on the summit or the ridge when they hit. The descent wasn't particularly fast either but we were below treeline before we heard any thunder. Sadly it started raining for real after we crossed the valley we had to start uphill again for a thousand feet of gain. As we neared the pass the lightning picked up and the rain got more steady and colder. We were both a bit chilly but it hit semi-tropical Nalumon worse. We quickly put on some more insulation and then kept moving up over the pass and down through the woods back to the parking area. It was starting to get dark (as much from the weather as the hour) when we got back around 7. It was a long, slow, and tiring day - but we made it. We cooked a quick dinner and spent the night in the parking area.

Nalumon was pretty excited to make it

but that elation quickly was replaced with exhaustion and preparation for sacrifice

summit panorama looking northish - the North Ridge has snow along it and Half Moon Pass is across the valley beyond the rocky ridge

Nalumon contemplating all we still had to do

hiking back up the hill in the rain

another summit panorama - this one east through south to west

view to the Elk Range 14ers on the horizon L-R are Castle/Conundrum, Pyramid, Maroon Bells, Snowmass, Capitol, and bonus 13er Sopris

Summary of August 9, 1 14er, about 12 miles, 5,600 feet of elevation gain, thunder, cold soaking rain, and renaming the mountain "Mount Holy Hell".

Return to the Colorado 14ers Page

Return to the Index Page