North Crestone Lake-Willow Lake high route

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Gendarmeman710
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North Crestone Lake-Willow Lake high route

Post by Gendarmeman710 »

I’m planning a backpacking trip in the Sangres in mid July with the goal of staying in the middle of the range. I’ve seen posts online of Mt Adams ascents via both of its western ridges. Has anybody connected North Crestone Lake and Willow Lake via a high route? I’m not looking to exceed Class 2+ or short sections of Class 3 with a bag on, but I reallllly don’t want to walk down valley. ](*,) Thanks. - Frank
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Scott P
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Re: North Crestone Lake-Willow Lake high route

Post by Scott P »

Although I haven't done it, Gerry Roach's 13ers book shows various class 2 routes that would connect as a single class 2 route between the two lakes. Approximate route:
South Crestone.jpg
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Re: North Crestone Lake-Willow Lake high route

Post by justiner »

The tight topo lines on the northern side of the cols look real tough.
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Re: North Crestone Lake-Willow Lake high route

Post by Stratosfearsome »

south crestone lake to willow lake.jpg
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Here's a photo looking across South Crestone Lake to Mt. Adam's west face. One of those diagonal ledges may go at class 3 or less to the notch between Mt. Adams and Unnamed 13546. The south side of the pass is grass / rock C2 down to Willow lake, as I remember.
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Scott P
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Re: North Crestone Lake-Willow Lake high route

Post by Scott P »

justiner wrote: Sun May 28, 2023 11:38 am The tight topo lines on the northern side of the cols look real tough.
Roach still says class 2 though. Although I haven't done that route, usually his ratings are reliable. Blue is class 2.
20230528_121013.jpg
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Roach says the route up to the saddle south of North Crestone Lake is a grassy slope and he mentions no specific difficulties.

He says the route up to the saddle south of South Crestone Lake is up some steep (class 2) talus up a wide coilour.
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Re: North Crestone Lake-Willow Lake high route

Post by justiner »

That's surprising honestly, as I thought the standard route up Mt. Adams was Class 3 - it's listed here as that (and on Summit Post).


Roach is notorious for grading things inconsistently - any Flatiron scrambler will tell you that much. He even has a short story about sandbagging himself on the route aptly called, "Hubris" on the First Flatiron.

Pinch of salt I guess. It seems routes on the Crestones vary (think Crestone Needle) depending if you cross over a gully/rib at the exact right place or not. I'm still trying to find a Class 2 route on the ridge between Adams and Obstruction - I'm sure it's there! :lol:
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Re: North Crestone Lake-Willow Lake high route

Post by JChitwood »

Agree with Justiner I also thought the standard route on Adams was C3. I packed the poles and used my hands a lot.
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Re: North Crestone Lake-Willow Lake high route

Post by Scott P »

justiner wrote: Sun May 28, 2023 12:33 pm That's surprising honestly, as I thought the standard route up Mt. Adams was Class 3 - it's listed here as that (and on Summit Post).
LoJ and Roach both list it as 2+. Class 3- isn't a commonly used rating. I haven't done it though, so can't say.

Still, the original post says he is OK with class 2+ or short sections of class 3 so he should be fine either way.

As far as Roach's route ratings go, I have found them to be reliable most of the time. There are some exceptions (the west ridge of Skyscraper is easy class 2, not the class 3 in the book), but usually in the other direction. I do know several of the class 2 14er routes he had are really class 1 now days. I have only done a few climbs in the Flatirons though. The map is copied is the old book though, so maybe the new on has it changed.
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Re: North Crestone Lake-Willow Lake high route

Post by Gendarmeman710 »

Bear with me I’m still figuring out how to reply. Thanks for all the info!! I’m super stoked to check this route out now that I know it’s been done. I will leave a full trip report when I finish up at the end of July. Cheers!! :horns:
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Re: North Crestone Lake-Willow Lake high route

Post by zrsimpson »

I descended to North Crestone Lake after having summited Mt. Adams. It's steep with a lot of loose dirt and gravel. It was never unsafe (especially if you've done Adams), but it's not comfortable, either. It would be easier to go up than come down. The descent into the Willow Lake drainage is much easier. So I would recommend going up North Crestone and then down through Willow Lake.

I'd offer that Adams is Class 3, especially if you stick to the ridgeline, where the rock is really secure.
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