Holy Cross route recommendation.

[TT4life]

Looking to do Holy Cross in the next few days. I am torn on the route to take. I’m contemplating going up Halo and down standard, or up standard and down Halo. Any thoughts as to making a loop vs just sticking to one route, and which process would be preferable and why? Thanks.

[RhodoRose]

My recommendation is CW, Halo up and North Ridge down, primarily because you'll get the neverending ridge done in the morning, when there's less chance of weather moving in. When you're on the ridge, you're exposed for several hours with no place to take shelter, unless you're close to the pilgrim's hut. Others will say to do it CCW, so that you get your primary objective first and then it's downhill (more or less) all the way back to the Fall Creek trail, without that awful 1000' back up over Half Moon Pass. Either way, it's a great loop and a long day. Note, something that's not completely obvious, and a disappointment to some people: if you take the North Ridge up and down, you do not get a view of the iconic Cross Coulior. Also, there's no water source on the ridge, so carry a LOT of hydration.
Beautiful mountain, have fun!

[The_Ramp]

+1 for Halo Ridge up, N Ridge down. Only thing to add is the Fall Creek Trail and Notch Mtn Trail are very well maintained with awesome switchbacks; great warm up to cruise to the shelter before the fun on the ridge begins.

[E_A_Marcus_949]

Halo up, standard down. Aim to be at the shelter at sunrise for a beautiful view while the cross is still in. Then traverse on over to the summit and back up you go. Definitely worth it!

[JerJerBinks]

Agree with everyone else going Halo ridge first. You get the best views on the ridge that way IMO too. Definitely don't skip it. The Cross Couloir and Bowl of Tears are something pretty special. I have a 2' x 5' panoramic encompassing the shelter and Halo Ridge hanging on my living room wall. That's how great I think this route is. I didn't think the climb back up the pass at the end was that big of a deal. Careful not to miss the fork for the climb up towards the lightening shelter in the morning. Start early and bring water. Probably won't be convenient or possible to filter any until the camp spots before the pass on your hike out.

[TT4life]

Thanks everyone for the input. Halo up it is!

[ColoNativeGal]

Just adding another plug for Halo up Std down. The climb back up Half Moon sucks in the heat, but it's a great loop and well worth it. The shelter and views of Cross and Bowl of Tears is like nothing else. In fact, I want to go back when the Cross has snow. I did it in Sept and it was bone dry. Hydration is necessary so have at least 3L of water with you b/c you won't be able to access water again until the camp spots. Also make sure you have the route on your phone, some of the route finding on the ridge was a little tricky so it's helpful to have the gps reference to ensure you're in the right spot. And start early, it's a long day. Have a great time!

[Ptglhs]

I did it once via Halo up and standard down in 2017 and again via standard with a night at Cross Creek and October of 2023. Unless you're spending the night at Cross Creek and just enjoying some time in the forest than I think Halo up in standard down is the way to go for the same reasons everybody else has mentioned.

Either bring a crap ton of water or bring a filter. The last water you're going to have access to, if I recall correctly and it still flowing, it's a small stream at about 11,000 ft before you gain the Ridge and you'll be above 13,000 ft for several hours.