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Backpacking the notch mountain trail an overnight high uinta adventure
Notch Mountain Trail is in the northern Sawatch Range, part of the Rocky Mountains in the U.S. state of Colorado. It is located in the Holy Cross Wilderness east of Mount of the Holy Cross in Eagle County. Notch Mountain Trail is south of Interstate 70, south of Minturn, southwest of Vail and south of Beaver Creek Resort, Colorado. Notch Mountain Trail is accessible from Tigiwon Road, south of Minturn. From Fall Creek Trailhead, the hike to the summit of Notch Mountain, 13,237 feet, and back to Half Moon Campground is eight miles. Notch Mountain Trail provides access to the saddle of Notch Mountain, at 13,110 feet of elevation. The ridge of Notch Mountain overlooks the Bowl of Tears, an alpine lake, and East Cross Creek. As it tumbles north, East Cross Creek intersects with the Half Moon Trail that ascends to the summit of Mount of the Holy Cross, 14,005 feet. Notch Mountain Trail is the access route followed by thousands of pilgrims during the past century seeking the blessings of the cross formed by melting snow on the northern face of Mount of the Holy Cross. Hiking Colorado: Holy Cross Wilderness, a hiking guide by Kim Fenske, provides a description of Notch Mountain Trail.