Sangre de Cristo Mountains
Overview
Kit Carson (14,165) is the main mountain which includes Challenger Point (14,080)These mountains offer routes of various levels of difficulty. The most popular ascent is via Willow Creek Trail - Willow Lake (go around to the north - easier) - up the North gulley of Challenger - Summit of Challenger - Saddle between - follow the ramp around the peak and ascend from the south side.
This route begins on the Crestone side at 8,500 feet +/- and ascends steeply on well-groomed trails. (about 5,700 feet of vertical change from trail head to Challenger Point summit). I am not sure of the exact round trip mileage, but it can be done in a day, no camping, in about 14 hours + / -
The climb from the east base of Challenger is steep, but more or less a walk-up.
From challenger to kit carson there is a ramp big enough to drive an 18-wheeler in the summer (without snow). Follow this ramp to a point which seems too far ? down and down, and then, before it ends, turn left (east) and head up to the summit. Some hand holds may be necessary.
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Getting There
HWY 17 to Moffat, CR T to Crestone, take a right at The Main Intersection downtown and follow uphill to the trail head parking lot. Very soon after setting onto the trail (and just before the sign-in station) the trails diverge. Go straight on for South Crestone Lake, to the north, or, cross over the creek (to the south) to get onto the Willow Lake trail. The creek you start along comes from South Crestone Lake.As you enter the trees on the Willow trail, note the small memorial to Emil, a small stick cross on the left. Emil, apparently, made a wrong turn coming down from Kit Carson / Challenger and fell from the cliffs visible in the photo above. You can see the cliffs just to the left (south) of the gulley on the back of Challenger.
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Red Tape
The mountain was privately owned until the recent transfer to the government. The Great Sand Dunes National Monument is now National Park and with that change in ownership there may be change in regulations.**********************
From the Saguache County Board of County Commissioners:
On Friday, April 20, 2007 it was agreed that the County, Forest Service, Park Service, NAT, spiritual centers and Manitou Institute will collaborate to post signage to discourage hikers from trespassing through private property to access Forest Service land East of the Baca.
Thus as of 4/20/2007, posted Forest Service trailheads make for the only legal access.
Even representatives of the CO Mountain Club are going to help get the trespass access points removed from climber websites they have connections with.
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When To Climb
May to October. You can expect snow in many places on the ground or in the air through June or July. For the most part July and August are the dry, snowless months. |  |  |
Camping
Excellent camping is allowed just beneath Willow Lake. There are many well-established areas in flat grassy areas and near to water. Camping is prohibited within 300 feet of the lake. |
Mountain Conditions
As of Memorial Day 2008: Winter Conditions still exist on route to summit. |  |  |
Links
External Links
- Challenger & Kit Carson
- Kirk Couloir (06/11/2004)
- 14ers.com - The Home of Colorado's Highest Peaks
Fourteener Photos, Route Descriptions, Forum, and more....
Additions and Corrections
[ Post an Addition or Correction ]
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| ClydeLovett | Untitled Comment | |
Hasn't voted | One of those previously unnamed peaks has been named Columbia. | |
| Posted Feb 28, 2004 12:55 am | ||
| jstanley | Untitled Comment | |
Hasn't voted | In June 2002 my son Peter (then 15) and I climbed Challenger Pt. and Kit Carson from Willow Creek. I just want to add that we, following the directions in Garratt & Martins Colorado's High Thirteeners*, followed the rib of rock on the left (east) side of the gash or gully up Challenger Pk. from the valley above Willow Lake. The rock is solid and good to climb on and not perhaps as steep as it looks. Another comment. The ledge or ramp you follow from the Kit Carson notch around Kit Carson to climb that peak, is big, but is not so big as to be always obvious on the way back when you are looking up from below. We actually missed it and ended up contouring arond the mountain lower down before climbing back up to the crest of Challenger near the top of the gash. So this is just a suggestion to look back occasionally if you are following the ramp to be sure you will recognize it on the way back, if you climb Kit Carson from the Willow Creek side. * This book also briefly describes climbing Kit Carson by going over (or nearly over) the 13799 ft and 13980 ft unnamed summits from the eastern, South Colony Lakes side. | |
| Posted Jun 6, 2003 10:01 am | ||
| ClydeLovett | Untitled Comment | |
Hasn't voted | One of those previously unnamed peaks has been named Columbia. | |
| Posted Feb 28, 2004 12:55 am | ||
| Alan Ellis | Untitled Comment | |
Voted 10/10 | North Crestone Creek Campground is a Forest Service campground located 1 mile north of the little town of Crestone and only 3 miles from the trailhead. There are 13 undeveloped sites for $9.00/night. To get there, drive into the town of Crestone on the main road. At the 21st Amendment Liquor Store intersection, go straight on a paved road for 1 mile to the campground. | |
| Posted Jul 26, 2004 4:54 pm | ||
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