Holy Cross City Road
Ghost town ruins at 11,300 feet beneath Holy Cross
The Holy Cross City Road winds 3.5 miles from Tigiwon Road up to the ghostly remains of Holy Cross City, a silver mining camp that peaked at 300 residents in the 1880s. The route starts easy on forest service roads but gets progressively rougher as you climb, with loose rock, shelf roads, and several stream crossings before reaching the ruins at 11,300 feet. Stone foundations, mining equipment, and cabin remnants scatter across alpine meadows beneath the towering 14,005-foot Mount of the Holy Cross.
This is a moderate high-clearance route that stock SUVs can handle in good weather, though 4WD helps on the steeper rocky sections. Best accessed July through September when snow clears—early season means muddy conditions and possible washouts. No permits needed, but dispersed camping is allowed at designated spots. The payoff is spectacular: genuine ghost town ruins, wildflower meadows, and access to multiple 14er hiking routes. Bring layers—weather changes fast above treeline.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Historic |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Features | Dispersed Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 7 mi / 11.3 km |
| Duration | Half day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 11300 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High clearance recommended |
| Nearest town | Minturn, Colorado |
| Land manager | White River National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
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