Creston Peak in August

[bking14ers]

I am looking for a nice 14er to climb this August. One person turned me on to Crestone Peak. So far what I have read, it looks like a pretty good climb. What do all you think? I have only done Longs Peak's Keyhole Rt. But, I am also planning on doing Long's Loft Rt. and, Mount Alice the same week I will be out there. Sounds "fun" huh? Or "to good to be true". How challenging is it? Thanks for any input on this.

[MtHurd]

Doable, probably about like the Keyhole route on Longs, except you'll be hiking on a road for part of the way. August can be iffy weather wise in the Crestones, but the same can be said of Longs too.

[reinselc]

Imagine a 3x version of the trough and that is the standard route. I thought the hardest climbing was up to Broken Hand Pass.

There is a longer period you need to concentrate on during the downclimb. It would be a pretty long day from the TH. I did it camping at the lakes.

[fleetmack]

start VERY early if you want to remove all fear of people above you causing rockfall. i didn't enjoy the peak very much due to my fear of rockfall, but i think i only saw one or two tumble down. it was august on my climb and it was pretty busy. no more technically challenging than longs, though.

[KentonB]

My experience is much more limited than many on this site but so far, Crestone Peak is both the hardest single peak I've ever climbed, but also my favorite! The last time I checked, it was also Bill Middlebrook's favorite too! Spectactacular summit. Clouds moved in (and then departed) while we were on the summit... giving it an eerie gothic feeling.

But honestly... anything in the Sangre de Christo's, and you can't go wrong!

[KentonB]

I would recommend climbing the Needle first and then doing the traverse to the Peak.

Joe, just my 2 cents, but I think the Needle to Peak traverse is a bit challenging for someone who's only done Longs Peak

[MtHurd]

I would recommend climbing the Needle first and then doing the traverse to the Peak.

Joe, just my 2 cents, but I think the Needle to Peak traverse is a bit challenging for someone who's only done Longs Peak

I would agree with this. Crestone by itself is similar to Longs Keyhole but the traverse is much more difficult.

[TravelingMatt]

Imagine a 3x version of the trough and that is the standard route. I thought the hardest climbing was up to Broken Hand Pass.

For me it was the ~700 feet back up to the pass on the return trip. It's not technical or anything, but the footing is not great. That's something like a 5500-foot day if you're starting at what is now the trailhead. For this reason and others I liked the Needle more than the Peak. The Needle isn't a whole lot harder but doesn't have the extra descent and climb back.

[colosota]

Honestly, Crestone is a great route with fairly stable rock. It's more sustained class 3 climbing, but I didn't have much of a "fear factor" in climbing the mountain. DO NOT do any of the traverses unless you're comfortable with serious exposure and class 4 climbing. SW ridge on Sneffels and Wetterhorn are some other good scrambling routes. When giving advice people, try to look at it from the other persons perspective. Because I think Capitol isn't that hard doesn't mean it's easy. My first class 3, Ellingwood Ridge on La Plata, is still my hardest and scariest route on a 14er because we kept going off route. Conclusion....if you've done Long's, the exposure and climbing is about the same, but the day will be longer with more class 3. Enjoy!