Date Hiked: August 10, 2024

Distance: 1.2 mi (RT)

Elevation Gain: 45 ft

Elevation Min/Max: 10,689 to 10,720 ft

Trailhead Lat/Long: 39.55981, -106.25659

Managing Agency: U.S. Forest Service

Fee: None

DIRECTIONS:

From I-70, exit at Vail Pass at drive up Shrine Pass Road. Shrine Pass Road is dirt and has some rough spots. In good conditions most cars should be able to make it but higher clearance vehicles are certainly recommended. After about 2.5 miles the Shrine Ridge Trailhead will be on your right, this is the Shrine Mountain trailhead. Continue past this trailhead for another 1.5 miles to the Mt. of the Holy Cross Overlook Trailhead.

HIKE DESCRIPTION:

The area of White River National Forest around Vail Pass is beautiful and full of recreational and hiking opportunities. Shrine Mountain is the most popular hike in this area and usually pretty crowded on Summer weekends. The Mt. of the Holy Cross Overlook trail is a shorter and easier option and still a lovely hike. From the small parking area and trailhead the hike rambles through the pine forest for only about 1,000 feet to the overlook. This easy trail takes you to a deck and amphitheater with a stunning, albeit distant, view of the Mt. of the Holy Cross massif. This is good place to relax and turn around if you just want a short experience. However, the trail continues.

The trail switches from gravel to natural surface past the observation deck. Continue through the forest and descend down to an open meadow. vThe meadow sits up against Shrine Mountain and you will probably see hikers up on the ridge. In the summer, when the wildflowers are blooming, the meadow is an idyllic spot. A faint trail continues around the meadow to the forest treeline ahead. If you can manage to tear yourself away from Shangri-La, then head back along the same trail for an easy, but still substantial mountain hike.