Notch Mountain

Description

A great family climb because it has a view of the natural cross in the Mt. of the Holy Cross (listed separately already on your roster). Series of switchbacks, 6 miles up and 6 back same route. The view is a natural cross on the side of the 14,005 ft. Mt. about 2 miles away. Was a national monument until closed for US Army maneuvers in area in WWII era so Truman took it off the National Monument list in 1950. I climbed it on July 4, 1982 and the Cross was gorgeous though one arm is less distinct because of rock slides in recent yrs. Pioneer photographer Jackson finally proved it existed in 1875 as part of the Hayden survey. Artist Thomas Moran did several famous paintings of the Mt. in the 1870s. A major symbol of the Western US in the 1800s along with Yellowstone and Grand Canyon (also Moran's subjects). But to see it in its best form, the observer needs to climb Notch Mt.

Thanks to Charles W. Miller Ph.D. for this description.