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 left Denver on Friday afternoon about 1:40 pm, headed toward Colorado Springs, through Florence, Westcliffe, and on to the upper 4WD South Crestone Trailhead at 9900 ft. (A 3-1/2 hour drive.) I last drove this 10 years ago, when the upper trailhead was at 11,060 feet - now 9,900 feet. That's about 2-1/2 miles more hiking (5 miles round-trip), albeit on a gently rising grade of jeep road.
I started Saturday morning at 5:10am, hiked to old "upper" trailhead, took the right-hand turn at the sign to "South Colony Upper Lake". The CFI trail rises to the northwest from the lakes, and is a work of art. At the saddle on Humboldt's west ridge, one heads west along a rough ridge toward the Bear's Playground. This ridge was very time-consuming, both coming and going - it added a lot of time to my day. Generally, stay to the top or north side of the ridge. I skirted the south flanks of Obstruction Peak, climbed the steep grassy slopes to the false and then onto the real summit of Columbia Point, arriving at 11:30am. The weather was mostly blue-sky, 50degF, no breeze - perfect. One other person (David-something from New Hampshire) arrived about 5 minutes after I had. And I spotted a few folks to the west on the 14'er Challenger Point.
On the hike back, I ran out of water at the east end of the Bear's Playground. I had fortunately brought my filter, and was able to refill at lower South Colony Lake - but had gone about 2-1/2 hours without water. The hike back from the lake was uneventful, but beautiful (It had been early-morning dark on the way up, so the scenery was mostly new to me with the afternoon light.) I arrived back at the car at about 5:40pm, a 12-1/2 hour day. Good grief, I was exhausted, and my feet very sore. (Lesson learned - wear hiking boots on everything except short, Class 1 hikes. Trail-running shoes simply don't provide the stiffness and protection for long jaunts across talus fields and rough ridges.)
Thumbnails for uploaded photos (click to open slideshow):
Comments or Questions
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.
