Holy Cross Wilderness - Glenwood Springs, CO

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Holy Cross Wilderness


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The Holy Cross Wilderness encompasses 123,410 acres in the Sawatch Range of the Rocky Mountains of Central Colorado. This wilderness, located on the White River and Pike/San Isabel National Forests, derives its name from its key landmark, Mount of the Holy Cross. High on the northeast face of this peak lies a deep crevice, which retains snow longer than other crevices and appears as a "Latin" cross from a distance. The area was first made famous by photographer William Henry Jackson in 1873.

Elevations within the wilderness range from 8,000 to over 14,000 feet. These elevations support lodgepole pine, Douglas fir, ponderosa pine, aspen, and spruce/fir vegetation communities, as well as alpine tundra above 11,500 feet. One-third of the wilderness is above tree line, with the Continental Divide forming its southern boundary. The area contains a myriad of creeks and lakes. There are many constructed trails available for travel through this rugged terrain, which offers moderate to difficult hikes.

Facilities: The Yeoman Park Campground, located within the Holy Cross Wilderness, provides 23 individual camping sites along with restrooms, drinking water, picnic tables, and fire grills.

Reservations: Reservations are not needed or accepted at Holy Cross Wilderness.

Best Time To Visit: Holy Cross Wilderness is open year-round, but the best time to visit is between summer through early-fall.

Fees: There are no fees charged to enter Holy Cross Wilderness.

Accessibility: This area is not handicap accessible.

Rules: The follow rules apply at Holy Cross Wilderness:

Group Size: Holy Cross Wilderness use regulations allow no more than 25 people and/or stock.

Dogs: Please remember, dogs must be on a leash at all times! Dogs may harass, stress, injure, or kill wildlife, annoy fellow hikers, and introduce disease. In protecting the natural ecosystem, the USFS enforces the leash regulation.

Human Waste: Deposit human waste in cat holes dug 6 to 8 inches deep at least 200 feet from water, camp or trails. Pack out toilet paper.

Directions: To get to Holy Cross Wilderness from Aspen: Travel north on CO State Highway 82, when arrived at Glenwood Springs turn right on I-70. Take the Eagle exit, number 147. From Eagle, the trails on the Eagle Ranger District portion of the wilderness area are accessed by either East Brush Creek Road, south of Eagle, or by West Lake Creek Road, south of Edwards.

Attractions Near
Holy Cross Wilderness

Lake Charles Trail
White River National Forest

Address

White River National Forest

900 Grand Avenue

PO Box 948

Glenwood Springs, Colorado 82331

Phone
General: (970) 945-2521
TTY: (970) 945-3255

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