Mt. of the Holy Cross

Route: North Ridge
Posted On: 7/11/2011, By: Carl
Info: Hiked the standard route and skied the cross couloir. Standard trail is wet in spots and there are a few snow crossings but nothing that warrants an axe or anything more than trail shoes. The creek is flowing good so be prepared to get wet (about knee deep). As for the cross couloir, it skied quite well and is in from the summit. No sun cups. One runnel but you can stay skiers right and avoid it. Needless to say, snow conditions are changing fast. Probably still good skiing through next weekend. Although the road closure makes it about a 27 mile roundtrip slog. I‘ll put up a TR soon. 

Route: Holy Cross Ridge
Posted On: 6/26/2011, By: anasarca76
Info: I ascended the 4x4 road to Hunky Dory Lake and connected to the Fall Creek Pass Trail. There is still a lot of snow that is rapidly melting which makes for perfect afternoon post holing conditions. I was able to walk on the snow early in the morning but it is consistent from about 11,2500 feet and above. The basin that contains Seven Sisters Lakes is still completely snow covered with the way up to Fall Creek Pass being mostly covered with areas of exposed grass. Holy Cross Ridge is mostly snow free and the route up to Mt of the Holy Cross can be done with minimal snow travel. From observation, Lake Constantine is about half way thawed and there is consistent snow from this lake up to Fall Creek Pass. Notch Mountain is clear on the ridge and west sides, with intermittent snow up the area where the trail would be. I didn‘t get a good view of the north ridge but the ridge proper is likely wind blown like the Holy Cross Ridge route. I couldn‘t see the conditions as half moon pass or along the north ridge route, sorry. Regarding the option of taking Fancy or Missouri passes to access the mountain from the west via Cross Creek Trail, snow is solid in the upper part of this basin and I believe it was Harvey Lake was still frozen. 

Route: Tigiwon Road
Posted On: 6/26/2011, By: J Rocky Eire
Info: The Tigiwon Road is CLOSED 1 mile up from Hwy 24 until October 15th. I spoke to a Ranger from the USDA Forest Service White River Office and they are logging all summer up there.