The Holy Cross Wilderness is a

U.S. Wilderness Area The National Wilderness Preservation System (NWPS) of the United States protects federally managed wilderness areas designated for preservation in their natural condition. Activity on formally designated wilderness areas is coordinated by the Na ...

located in San Isabel and White River national forests near Leadville, Minturn, Avon,

Edwards Edwards may refer to: People * Edwards (surname) * Edwards family, a prominent family from Chile * Edwards Barham (1937-2014), a former member of the Louisiana State Senate * Edwards Pierrepont (1817–1892), an American attorney, jurist, and ora ...

Eagle Eagle is the common name for many large birds of prey of the family Accipitridae. Eagles belong to several groups of genera, some of which are closely related. Most of the 68 species of eagle are from Eurasia and Africa. Outside this area, just ...

, and Vail, Colorado. The wilderness with of trails was established in 1980. The wilderness was named after its highest peak,

Mount of the Holy Cross Mount of the Holy Cross is a high and prominent mountain summit in the northern Sawatch Range of the Rocky Mountains of North America. The fourteener is located in the Holy Cross Wilderness of White River National Forest, west-southwest ...

. Holy Cross Wilderness is a rugged and beautiful backcountry with many satisfying routes and experiences. The namesake of the wilderness Mount of the Holy Cross offers a challenging hike with a huge payoff. Its neighbor Notch Mountain grants the backpacker or day tripper with a clear view of the "Cross" that has drawn many a pilgrim to this site. Visiting this backcountry will check all the boxes for those looking for a wilderness retreat from the hustle of daily living. The Holy Cross Wilderness has a history of many hikers, often those who are unprepared, becoming endangered. Primarily, the hikers who require rescue are unfamiliar with the risks of entering wilderness areas and do not bring adequate equipment and supplies to respond to emergency conditions. Holy Cross Wilderness visitors should carry adequate provisions, the

ten essentials The Ten Essentials are survival items that hiking and Scouting organizations recommend for safe travel in the backcountry. The Ten Essentials first appeared in print in the third edition of '' Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills'' (January ...

, including water,

food Food is any substance consumed by an organism for nutritional support. Food is usually of plant, animal, or fungal origin, and contains essential nutrients, such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, or minerals. The substance is inge ...

, firestarter, guide book or map,

global positioning The Global Positioning System (GPS), originally Navstar GPS, is a satellite-based radionavigation system owned by the United States government and operated by the United States Space Force. It is one of the global navigation satellite sys ...

device, layers of clothing, headlamp, knife, and

cell telephone A mobile phone, cellular phone, cell phone, cellphone, handphone, hand phone or pocket phone, sometimes shortened to simply mobile, cell, or just phone, is a portable telephone that can make and receive calls over a radio frequency link while ...

. Thorough research and reasonable planning should prevent most tragedies. Holy Cross Wilderness hiking trails include Nolan Lake Trail, Lake Charles Trail to Lake Charles and Mystic Island Lake, New York Mountain Trail, Dead Dog Trail, Middle Lake Trail, Beaver Lake Trail to Beaver Lake and Turquoise Lake, Fancy Lake Trailhead (or Fancy Creek Trailhead on some maps) Grouse Lake Trail, West Grouse Creek Trail, Martin Creek Trail, Notch Mountain Trail, Half Moon Pass Trail to

, Tuhare Lakes Trail, and Cross Creek Trail to Treasure Vault Lake and Blodgett Lake.

References

{{Authority control Wilderness areas of Colorado Protected areas established in 1980 Protected areas of Eagle County, Colorado Protected areas of Lake County, Colorado Protected areas of Pitkin County, Colorado San Isabel National Forest White River National Forest 1980 establishments in Colorado