14ers.com • Peak Condition Update

Peak:	Crestone Peak (14er)
Route:	Crestones Traverse
Range:	Sangre de Cristo
Posted By:	Hjelmstadlt
Date of Info:	05/18/2020
Date Posted:	05/18/2020

Details
Standard Route of The Needle from Cottonwood Lake up is completely snow free, although very wet. The Traverse is about 95% snow free with a couple sections of horrible mashed potato snow postholing. The Red Gulley is sun cupped and mushy but firm enough to glissade. Cottonwood Creek approach is pretty good, snow line is approx. 12,000ft, and any snow is completely rotted through to the ground so be prepared to posthole if going through snow.

Details

Standard Route of The Needle from Cottonwood Lake up is completely snow free, although very wet. The Traverse is about 95% snow free with a couple sections of horrible mashed potato snow postholing. The Red Gulley is sun cupped and mushy but firm enough to glissade. Cottonwood Creek approach is pretty good, snow line is approx. 12,000ft, and any snow is completely rotted through to the ground so be prepared to posthole if going through snow.

Comments or Questions

Verticality	Impressive 05/18/2020 18:40 Nice work! Was really curious how the needle would look right now given angle and aspect. A traverse run in May is impressive!
BrendoGetsOutside	Cool! 05/21/2020 14:02 Did you go from the needle to peak, and then glissade down on your way out? That's crazy haha. If I approach from Cottonwood Creek, would it be hard (snow-wise) to ascend the peak first, then traverse to the needle? Thanks.