Holy Cross Wilderness

The United States Congress designated the Holy Cross Wilderness in 1980 and it now has a total of 122,884 acres. All of this wilderness is located in Colorado and is managed by the Forest Service.  Cascading streams, dozens of emerald green lakes, and wide valleys moistened by melting snow make Holy Cross a watery alpine Wilderness of glistening beauty. Dominated by 14,005-foot Mount of the Holy Cross, this Wilderness also has 25 or so peaks that rise above 13,000 feet, mighty ridges fling themselves skyward above glacier-carved U-shaped valleys, and numerous aspen groves burn gold in September. Wildlife including deer, elk, black bears, bobcats, and lynx find abundant homes in Holy Cross, and its streams run full of trout.  About 164 miles of trail march into the area, several of them joining to form loops requiring a short shuttle to connect at the trailheads. Hiking the Cross Creek Trail--up the fabulous glacial valley across Fancy Pass past spectacular high lakes and down the valley of the Fall Creek Trail--may be Colorado's most glorious short backpacking trip (about 28 miles). The cross-state Colorado Trail passes through the southeastern corner, where the Continental Divide marks the boundary. Cross-country skiers flock to this area in the winter.