Download Agreement, Release, and Acknowledgement of Risk:
You (the person requesting this file download) fully understand mountain climbing ("Activity") involves risks and dangers of serious bodily injury, including permanent disability, paralysis, and death ("Risks") and you fully accept and assume all such risks and all responsibility for losses, costs, and damages you incur as a result of your participation in this Activity.
You acknowledge that information in the file you have chosen to download may not be accurate and may contain errors. You agree to assume all risks when using this information and agree to release and discharge 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. and the author(s) of such information (collectively, the "Released Parties").
You hereby discharge the Released Parties from all damages, actions, claims and liabilities of any nature, specifically including, but not limited to, damages, actions, claims and liabilities arising from or related to the negligence of the Released Parties. You further agree to indemnify, hold harmless and defend 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. and each of the other Released Parties from and against any loss, damage, liability and expense, including costs and attorney fees, incurred by 14ers.com, 14ers Inc. or any of the other Released Parties as a result of you using information provided on the 14ers.com or 14ers Inc. websites.
You have read this agreement, fully understand its terms and intend it to be a complete and unconditional release of all liability to the greatest extent allowed by law and agree that if any portion of this agreement is held to be invalid the balance, notwithstanding, shall continue in full force and effect.
By clicking "OK" you agree to these terms. If you DO NOT agree, click "Cancel"...
I moved to NM and started the 14ers in 2002, and have been driving by the Crestones, looking wistfully, ever since. From ABQ or Santa Fe, you see them every trip northward toward Buena Vista, then again on the way home after climbing less legendary peaks in the Sawatch or Mosquito ranges. With the pending closure of the S. Colony Lakes road, the time had come to pay my respects in person.
The plan was to meet Jeff_F at Pizza Mania in Silver Cliff around 4 p.m., then head up what used to be the formidable road up to the S. Colony TH. I decided to take advantage of 4wd and cross the Sangres via Medano Pass, from the Sand Dunes. This saved me at least 50 miles and an hour of driving, but I'd recommend some practice driving in deep sand if you want to try this. I got a Subaru stuck there a couple years ago. No fun.
This sign greets drivers passing from the Natl Park into the Preserve.
I rolled into Westcliffe, we made quick work of some pizza and found ourselves at the upper TH in no time. FWIW, I think Mario's has the edge on Pizza Mania for best small town pie, but both are excellent. For better or for worse, the road has been made much easier (seeing a Ford Expedition up there almost made me sick). The adventure quotient has definitely been squelched, but we didn't have to deal with any plodding, oversized SUVs or slowpoke unprepared drivers on the way up.
The alarm went off waaaay to early, but I slammed an energy drink, ate some leftover pizza, and we were on the trail well before dawn. We turned left up Broken Hand Pass, and stayed on route as best we could in the dark maze of climbers' trails near the top, heading for this landmark, where the trails top out.
Once we topped out, we looked down at Cottonwood Lake. You mean we have to go down there and back? Yep. I was so excited, I didn't even flinch at the prospect and spurred us downward to the lake, where there were plenty of wildflowers.
Then, it was on to the famous (and obvious) red gully. Route finding is not a concern, and the rock, while not as solid as that on the Needle, is simply awesome.
Here's Jeff on the way up.
Once on top, we had beautiful weather and the summit to ourselves. I can't remember being more happy to stand atop a 14er. This one was special.
This peak is just awesome"the trail, climbing, views, & majesty of Crestone Peak are hard to beat. With not a cloud in the sky, we spent 1.5 hours on the summit. That's a lot of time, so we got creative. I laughed as I remembered Benners' and Marmotmans' clowning on Pyramid, and wondered what we'd come up with. Perhaps it was the influence of the nearby town of Crestone, I don't know, but Jeff suddenly began demonstrating some bizarre yoga (?) moves, the likes of which may never have been seen before (or again). Don't ask, he can't explain it, either. It was just some spontaneous thing.
As we sat there admiring the surroundings, we agreed with Bill that the east summit definitely looks higher than the "true" summit. I'd been looking at the Crestones from other peaks all summer, so it was great to look across the Sangres from this vantage point.
Kit Carson and Challenger--the avenue is obvious.
It occurred to me that even with no clouds in the sky, it was probably time to head down, so we hit the gully once again.
Along the way, I took time to check out the famous "Crestone conglomerate" rock. Some of it is really trippy.
Back down at the lake, we checked the water temperature"it was ready for swimming, but the food and beer waiting on the other side of Broken Hand Pass sounded a whole lot better. This guy stood his ground on the trail, and was probably pretty stoked when I fumbled a piece of beef jerky, which fell right by him...oops.
The slog over Broken Hand went by quickly, and we were soon back at camp, grilling burgers/dogs, and having well-deserved brewskis (eg., Breck 471, 9.2% abv).
Overall, this is one of the best 14er hikes I've done--no route finding issues, loose rock, or other hassles to be found. Big props go out to the CFI and whoever else built the trail"where else do you get stepping stones placed in the marshy areas so your feet don't get wet, or do you find so many huge cairns to keep the route in sight?
I've got a new favorite 14er. If you haven't checked Crestone Peak off your list, and can handle some easy class 3 terrain, I say get yourself over there and climb it soon.
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
that is fantastic, congratulations. Maybe you could celebrate by changing your avatar...that thing is starting to give me nightmares man. Seriously, way to go!
The Crestones rock and so do you guys! I love the spontaneous "bizarre yoga" moves...I always knew you had it in you, Jeff. Thanks for the awesome report, Matt!
by the way, thanks for the beta on the medano rd. i'd always been interested in trying it, but didn't know the name or have any beta about it. I have an Xterra, sounds like I should be OK? Sounds like you had no problem in the FJ?
your right, that is a special summit and peak, I felt the same way when I finally topped out. You look pretty stoked, but not as stoked as Benners, I guess they had more room to express their emotions on Pyramid. I usually don't feel most 14,000 foot mountains really deserve a congratulations, but this one does, good job.
Caution: The information contained in this report may not be accurate and should not be the only resource used in preparation for your climb. Failure to have the necessary experience, physical conditioning, supplies or equipment can result in injury or death. 14ers.com and the author(s) of this report provide no warranties, either express or implied, that the information provided is accurate or reliable. By using the information provided, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless 14ers.com and the report author(s) with respect to any claims and demands against them, including any attorney fees and expenses. Please read the 14ers.com Safety and Disclaimer pages for more information.
Please respect private property: 14ers.com supports the rights of private landowners to determine how and by whom their land will be used. In Colorado, it is your responsibility to determine if land is private and to obtain the appropriate permission before entering the property.
