Holy Cross Mountain (Upper Moderate Scramble) (Helmets Mandatory)

Trail Name: Holy Cross Mountain (Click the link for the AllTrails Route.)
Difficulty: Very-Hard
Trailhead meet-up time: Sunday, August 3 at 8:30am
Location: Holy Cross Mountain Trailhead (NOTE: There is no official parking or trailhead. Parking is on the side of the road. Meetup pin location is approximate, refer to the AllTrails trail location for a more exact spot.)

NOTE: **Attendance** - A waitlist has been created. I will admit attendees at my own discretion. Your answer to the hike question will be taken into consideration. I am aiming for a total of 6 attendees (including myself).

NOTE: *Helmet mandatory* - To protect your head from bumps and to protect from loose rocks.

NOTE: Hike Day - All hike dates are subject to change depending on the weather.

NOTE: Difficulty - This is a scramble. Moderate to upper moderate scrambling on the ascent ridge with multiple smaller rock bands. The summit ridge is very narrow with drop offs on both sides - falling is not an option here - you must be comfortable with heights and exposure.

Attempt number two at this hike. Clearer weather is returning this week - Sunday is looking like the best day so let's go for it!

Holy Cross Mountain is tucked away in a beautiful valley along south Highway 40. If you are up for some moderate to upper moderate scrambling and exposed ridge walking, this is the hike for you!

Weather: To be updated as we get closer to the hike day (usually 2 days before the hike day).

Trail Details
Distance: Approx. 14.5 km (Loop)
Elevation gain: Approx. 1272 meters
Time: Approx. 7.5 hours

Trail Description: Our hike begins along Gunnery Creek, as we work our way around Gunnery Mountain. We will then ascend a minor hill to enter the valley below Holy Cross Mountain.

Once in the valley, we will do a short bushwhack through the trees to get to the steep grassy slopes. We will trend climber's right on the steep grass to gain the northeast ridge. Once on the northeast ridge, we will aim straight for the summit ridge, and navigate three rock bands along the way. Each rock band has multiple ways up, but we will stick to the options with the most solid rock. Second rock band has the hardest scrambling but it can be bypassed on scree on climber's left if desired.

Once we hit the summit ridge, we will traverse climber's left toward the summit. The summit ridge is narrow with exposure on both sides - goes without saying but falling is not an option here. We will take our time to carefully make our way through this section. From the summit, we will traverse on scree under the summit block, and follow the scree trail down the east face of the mountain. There will be a few small waterfalls to bypass as we descend down. Past the scree section, we will descend the lower hill and rejoin with the ascent trail in the forest. We will then retrace our steps to the parking lot.

MANDATORY GEAR (If you do not bring this, you cannot attend the hike)
- helmet - to protect from loose rocks and bumping your head on rocks

RECOMMENDED GEAR & SUPPLIES
- hiking poles - useful on steep slopes, especially while descending
- scrambling gloves - recommend lighter gloves that have some grip/texture - to protect your hands from cuts and scrapes
- sunglasses
- sunscreen
- hat/cap
· Clothing - Mid Summer - Lighter wool clothing is still recommended along with a light jacket/windbreaker. Cotton clothing is okay, but a cotton/polyester blend is preferable for sweat management. Jeans are not good.
· personal first aid kit
· snacks/lunch
. water (recommend atleast 2 litres of water) - there are water sources on the descent - I can give refills with my water filter.

Ride Sharing Point:
No designated ride sharing spot. I will leave it to the attendees' discretion to choose a spot. Suggested Ride-Sharing fee for this hike: $15.

This is going to be a good challenge with rewarding views for our efforts!