Missouri Pass - Fancy Pass Loop - 8.8 Miles Round-Trip

The Missouri Lakes and Fancy Creek trails form an 8.8 mile loop highlighted by several lakes and airy alpine landscapes between Missouri Pass (11,986’) and Fancy Pass (12,390’).

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This feature-filled hike is one of the most popular backpacking routes in the Holy Cross, with access to the Missouri Lakes, Treasure Vault Lake, Fancy Lake and numerous tarns above treeline.

Terrain is generally moderate, but two steep pass climbs and descents give this a more difficult rating. The following description begins on the Missouri Lakes Trail and travels clockwise on the loop:

The trail begins on a mild grade that steepens past .5 miles to the Holy Cross Wilderness Boundary (.93 miles : 10,360’). It rises to a bridge over the creek (1.1 miles : 10,468’), where grades pick up considerably along the rim of a deep, narrow gorge.

The trail crosses back over the creek (1.35 miles) and levels around a large, marshy meadow with views of Savage Peak and a diverse collection of flowers (1.5 miles : 10,805’).

It circles the meadow and funnels into the upper gorge right along the creek (2.0 miles : 10,987’), then moderates away in a thinning subalpine forest (2.5 miles : 11,170’).

Look for a sparingly-marked social trail between 2.7-2.8 miles that veers SW along a creek to the first Missouri Lake. This is a compelling destination that few visitors see, and great choice for backpackers on busy weekends.

The main trail continues on variously rugged and moderate intervals into the upper valley, where the landscape opens to Lower Missouri Lake (3.15 miles : 11,410’). Gentle terrain, ponds and streams complement this idyllic setting.

It pitches up through treeline to Upper Missouri Lake in a wide, level basin below the pass (3.5 miles : 11,502’). Turn left and follow the shore clockwise. The trail undulates around the lake and over the inlet to a large tarn (3.85 miles : 11,535’), where it turns sharply on a 450’ - .5 mile climb to Missouri Pass (4.35 miles : 11,986’).

Views from the pass are stunning, highlighted by Treasure Vault Lake, Blodgett Lake and distant Middle Mountain ridge. The trail drops quickly off the pass through high alpine meadows to the Cross Creek Trail – Fancy Creek Trail junction (4.7 miles : 11,802’). 

Treasure Vault Lake is an easy .4 mile roundtrip excursion, but be mindful of time and weather with one more pass to climb. Also note that trails may be faint leading to and past the intersection; a good map and understanding of the route will help avoid confusion.

The Fancy Creek Trail turns toward Fancy Pass, a rocky notch in the NE corner of the basin. It rises gently across rolling slopes, then steepens over talus up to Fancy Pass (5.45 miles : 12,390’).

Views once again are exceptional, with a chance to survey the markedly steeper descent into the Fancy Creek drainage. The drainage is quite different from the Missouri side, notably narrower, deeper and topped by rugged crags.

The trail drops sharply through a rocky chute that gradually moderates to the edge of treeline with great views over Fancy Lake.

It reaches the Holy Cross City Trail split at 6.05 miles (11,560’), turns right across a creek and twists down to the open east side of Fancy Lake (6.15 miles : 11,540’). The lake fills a steep-walled bowl at treeline, which takes a little more effort to explore than the Missouri cluster.

The trail continues steeply from Fancy Lake on tightly wound corkscrews into a thick forest. Pay close attention on this fast, shifting descent. Travel gradually moderates to a sloping meadow and a vaguely marked creek crossing at 6.67 miles (11,145’). Anticipate this point, as it’s easy to miss.

Travel clarifies once over the creek on a much steadier descent through a pleasant (if nondescript) forest. It’s generally removed from the creek before crossing a wide section of it on Zen Bridge (8.0 miles : 10,455’). The bridge can be slippery, especially with a heavy pack.

The trail undulates past the bridge up to the Holy Cross Wilderness Boundary (8.6 miles), and down to the Fancy Creek Trailhead to complete the loop (8.8 miles : 10,017’).