Notch Mountain (Notch-Halo Ridge Loop)

elevation: 4,035 m. height gain: 900 m.
area: Minturn,Colorado,USA map USGS 1:24,000 Mount of the
        Holy Cross, CO 39106D4
2016-Sep-05


Ref: 14ers.com
half moon pass


Reaching Half Moon Pass with Notch Mountain's ascent slopes in the sun.
THE CLIMB
Ascent:  -North ridge  class 2
Traverse:  -The Notch to Notch Mountain Shelter  class 3

Scramble: RT 14.5 (includes Holy Cross Ridge and Mount of the Holy Cross); 2.75 up. Notch Mountain is an unranked 13er but is labeled on the topographic map; it's the first objective of the incredibly beautiful loop to Mount of the Holy Cross. Hiking this loop was an unexpected surprise and it turned out to be one of the highlights on my Colorado trip. The amazing Tour de Force requires great stamina and stable weather, Tim and I were fortunate to have both on this day! The 20+ kilometer loop travels over several highpoints, including 2 ranked 13ers (Point 13248 and Holy Cross Ridge) before reaching the prized 14er; it grants a fun class 3 scramble through The Notch and offers stunning scenery along the way with the best view of the cross on Mount of the Holy Cross. The whole loop has a combined height gain of 1,860 meters.

We left Leadville in the afternoon and drove to the Tigiwon Road, this long dirt road with numerous switchbacks leads to the Half Moon trailhead. We expected the campground at the trailhead to be full on this labour day weekend but it wasn't, we found a site, built a campfire and made supper; we retired for the night at a reasonable time. We left before dawn the following morning and reached Half Moon Pass by day break. We veered off the trail and started ascending talus slopes towards the summit of Notch Mountain. Random hiking through fair-sized rocks easily leads to the top, I didn't really try to find trail segments. We followed the summit ridge while taking in the fine views all around, it was the start of a great day! The sun really felt nice, there wasn't any clouds. When we reached the summit, we had a good break before tackling the connecting ridge towards Halo Ridge and the Notch Mountain Shelter. The section called The Notch grants good scrambling, a couple of routes of varying difficulty exist. From the top of Notch Mountain, we followed the ridge on its east aspect and made our way down to the gully separating the summit and the prominent highpoint to the south. We misread Roach's book description that clearly describes descending on the west side of the ridge shortly after leaving the summit and to scamper up ledges and talus slopes beyond The Notch (class 2+). That wasn't a problem, I had scoped out a line of ascent on the way down from the summit (class 3). I later found out, through research on the internet, that a difficult route also exists and starts from the saddle between the two summits, it follows a spine of broken ledges to an exposed step before gaining the ridge crest (class 4-5); it's an impressive route. Anyway, our route required descending in the loose gully to the narrow grassy ledge I had spotted from higher up. After convincing Tim that the route I had seen led to manageable terrain and a good way back up to the ridge, I went ahead. A short steep scramble got me to the narrow ledge where I visualized the terrain beyond, after that, I confirmed to Tim to come up. We then climbed the steep blocky mountainside to the ridge, I thoroughly enjoyed that section and found it to be quite a delightful scramble. Once back on the ridge, we casually walked to the Notch Mountain Shelter. The view of the cross on Mount of the Holy Cross is outstanding from the shelter, sadly there was no more snow in the couloir to accentuate the feature. We took a nice break to enjoy the scenery, bask in the sun and wind down from the scramble. We visited the nice shelter before resuming our trek along Halo Ridge.

leaving the trail

Leaving the nice trail for some serious talus hopping...

looking back

Looking back at Half Moon Pass.

our objective is in sight

Mount of the Holy Cross is revealed beyond Notch Mountain.

summit ridge

Tim on the summit ridge.

on the summit

Standing on the summit of Notch Mountain with Holy Cross in the background.
Picture courtesy of Tim Best.

heading down to the notch

Heading down to The Notch between the summit and the prominent highpoint ahead.

on the east aspect


Travelling on the east aspect of the ridge crest.


a slabby section


Tim's about to come down a slabby section.


exposed difficult route


The line indicates an exposed class 4-5 route accessed from the west side of Notch Mountain's ridge crest; we chose an easier way up.


the route we spotted


Aiming for the route spotted from higher up.
Picture courtesy of Tim Best.


narrow grassy ledge


The narrow grassy ledge we chose is accessed from the gully between Notch Mountain and the prominent highpoint.


descending to the gully


Descending to the gully.


base of the scramble


At the base of the scramble which leads to the narrow grassy ledge.


standing on the ledge


A close up as I stand on the grassy ledge.
Picture courtesy of Tim Best.


tim comes up to the ledge


Tim is starting up the scramble to the grassy ledge.


blocky mountainside


The blocky mountainside just beyond the grassy ledge.
Picture courtesy of Tim Best.


working our way up


Working our way back up to the ridge proper.


enjoyable scrambling


The terrain offers enjoyable scrambling.


looking back


Looking back.


nearing the ridge proper


Nearing the ridge proper.


using both hands


Using both hands to climb some steep sections.


on the ridge


On the ridge with the Notch Mountain Shelter in sight.
Picture courtesy of Tim Best.


casual walk to the shelter


Casual walk to the shelter with Points 13248 (ranked 13er) and 13373 ahead.


at the shelter


At the shelter, I really liked The Notch scramble.
Picture courtesy of Tim Best.


best view of the cross


The best view of the cross of Mount of the Holy Cross is from the shelter.
Picture courtesy of Tim Best.


inside the shelter


Inside the Notch Mountain Shelter.


leaving the shelter


Leaving the shelter behind as we start hiking the Halo Ridge route.


Continue on to Holy Cross Ridge
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