[2] Notch Mountain is set in the Sawatch Range and is located in the Holy Cross Wilderness, on land managed by White River National Forest.

The Notch Mountain Trail covers 5.3 miles (8.5 km) and gains 2,930 feet of elevation as it leads to the iconic viewpoint of Mount of the Holy Cross.

[4] Word of the enormous white cross of snow on Mount of the Holy Cross was first published in 1869 and the historic first photograph of the mountain was taken by William Henry Jackson from Notch Mountain on August 24, 1873, with the assistance of a survey party who carried the heavy photographic equipment.

[7] Due to its altitude, it receives precipitation all year, as snow in winter and as thunderstorms in summer, with a dry period in late spring.

Climbers can expect afternoon rain, hail, and lightning from the seasonal monsoon in late July and August.