I lived in Colorado for six years, from 1980-84 and then again from 1987-89. For about the last 10 years, I've tried to get back almost annually to backpack with an old Peace Corps friend of mine, Rob. Last year we changed up the format, opting to alternate trips between Colorado and the Northwest. Last year we did a Three Sisters trip, while this year's trip was in the Holy Cross Wilderness in Colorado. I'll mostly let the photo captions tell the story, but will begin with a little summary.
On this particular trip we hiked up Cross Creek, across two passes, and then down Fall Creek, returning to the original trailhead via a six-mile hitchhike. The Mt. of the Holy Cross is between the two creeks. The total distance was short (only 28 miles, plus the hitchhike), but that was OK, given the driving at both ends and the scenery. The low end (where we started) is at 8,500 ft.; the high point is at Fall Creek Pass, 12,600 ft. Including the significant ups and downs between the two passes, we probably did about 5,500' worth of climbs. In any case, the variation in altitude makes for lots of different settings.
This area, despite being designated wilderness, has historical water claims on it from various communities, so its ultimate fate remains undecided.
- Lower end of Cross Creek--very forested.
- Beaver sign. Lots of toothed critters on this trip.
- Day two: We camped here last night, and forded in the morning.
- As elevation increases, the valley has more meadows and ponds.
- The upper end of Cross Creek basin.
- Camp 2, at about 11,400'.
- Day 3: Looking back down Cross Creek basin as we begn to climb again.
- A view across the upper end of Cross Creek basin.
- Looking back toward Camp 2 from the top of Fancy Pass.
- Coming down through the snow on the other side of Fancy Pass.
- Holy Cross City: a ghost town just outside the wilderness boundary.
- Camp 3: Below Fall Creek Pass at about 11,800'.
- This fellow, and others of his ilk, tried to steal one of Rob's hiking poles and a pair of drying boxers. Both items were recovered.
- Looking back down, about halfway between camp 3 and Fall Creek Pass.
- The final push up to Fall Creek Pass. After this, it's all downhill.
