| Adoption Status: NOT ADOPTED
802 acres (1.3 square miles)
How to get there
The Holy Cross City roadless area is located about 12 miles
northwest of Leadville and 8 miles west of Camp Hale. Approach the area from
State Highway (SH) 24.
- Three
miles south of Redcliff, turn from SH 24 onto Homestake Road (FS 703) at
Blodgett Campground. Follow this improved gravel road along Homestake Creek.
Past Gold Park Campground, turn right onto Missouri Creek Road (FS 704), and
then turn right again onto FS 727 at the Missouri Lakes Trailhead.
- From FS
727, you may hike up Fancy Creek Trail (2006), along the SW boundary of the
unit, to Fancy Lake in the Holy Cross Wilderness Area. From Fancy Lake you may
hike NE into the historic Holy Cross City.
- Stay on
FS 727 to reach the Holy Cross Jeep Road (FS 759; rough 4WD), which climbs
French Creek along the NE boundary of the unit, and leads to Holy Cross City.
- The
USGS 7 1⁄2’ quad for the Holy Cross City RA is Mount Jackson.
Setting
The Holy Cross City roadless area occupies the area between
Fancy and French Creeks, below the old townsite of Holy Cross City. This area
consists of moderately-steep slopes blanketed in Engelmann spruce and subalpine
fir with the occasional alpine meadow. The elevation ranges from 10,100 feet in
lower Fancy Creek to 11,500 feet near Holy Cross City.
What’s special about it?
Holy Cross City was founded in the late 1800s to support intensive
mining operations that were occurring. Decaying shaft houses and buildings are
scattered throughout the area. The townsite has obvious historical significance
and is an important educational resource. This area is an extremely popular
access point into the beautiful Holy Cross Wilderness.
The roadless area is an extension of the Holy Cross
Wilderness that buffers the historic townsite from high-traffic roads. It
features hiking, camping, fishing, and hunting opportunities in a scenic
setting. This area is also an important water source for the Cities of Aurora
and Colorado Springs.
Potential threats
The area has nine unpatented mining claims on its boundary
that receive minor prospecting activity. Recreational development of these
claims would alter the area substantially.
Other info
The Holy Cross City RA is one of ten that surround Holy
Cross Wilderness Area. Together, they form a roadless complex of over 165,000
acres (257 square miles).
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