This page is dedicated to David Worthington, also known by many as "TalusMonkey," who was tragically killed on Humboldt Peak on May 7, 2007. See the Tribute section near the bottom of the page for more information.

Humboldt Peak rests 1.5 mile northeast of its more famous neighbors, Crestone Needle and Crestone Peak. These conglomerate peaks reside within Colorado's linear Sangre de Christo Range. This fantastic stretch of mountains starts where the big and bulky Sawatch Range ends, just south of Salida, Colorado. Continuing south for 220 miles into New Mexico, the Sangre's host some of Colorado's more adventurous climbing. In contrast to the class 3,4,and 5 climbing within the Crestone Group, Humboldt offers a class 2 hike. The standard West Ridge route is a perfect introduction for hiking Colorado's famous fourteeners. Although not technically difficult, Humboldt requires a long approach and plenty of vertical (4,464 ft.). Be in shape so you can really enjoy this epic hike into a beautiful basin.

Humboldt Pk was named after Alexander von Humboldt who was a famous geographer, traveler, explorer, and mountaineer. The name was given by the miners in 1874. (Courtesy of Grant Siders)

Much of the information on this page is courtesy of Kane Engelbert.

Getting There via South Colony Lakes TH

Humboldt Peak is located in south central Colorado approximately 12 miles southwest of Westcliffe. There are several trailheads, the most popular being the South Colony Lakes trailhead on the east side of the range near Westcliffe. The reason it is so popular is because you can drive a 4WD vehicle within 2 miles of the mountain. The peak is rarely climbed from the west side of the range.

Humboldt Peak from the east ridge of Kit Carson Mountain, September 11, 1999. Photo by RWSchaffer

From Westcliffe, Colorado: Drive southwest on highway 69 about 4.5 miles to Colfax Lane (CO119) where there is a Forest Service sign. Turn right (south) and go another 5.5 miles until the road ends, then turn right (going west) on South Colony Road (Forest Service Road 120) for 1.5 miles where there is a fairly large parking lot on the right. 2WD vehicles can park here but recent improvements in the road allow 2WD vehicles to continue for another two miles to near the Rainbow Trail marker and the first creek crossing. After this, the next three miles are an extremely rough 4WD road (FR120).

Upon arrival at the end of the road, there is a parking lot, campsites, and a huge steel gate. Pass through the gate to either side and follow the road and the well-worn trail about a mile to Lower South Colony lake. Just before arrival at the lower lake, the trail forks and a small wooden sign will greet you. The sign says, "Crestone Needle Standard Route," with an arrow pointing to the left. Take the right fork to Humboldt Peak.

If you don't have a 4WD, you may be able to get a ride from the 2WD parking lot which will save you 5 miles hiking on a boring Forest Service road. In the summer, South Colony Lakes is a popular area for locals, day hikers, peak baggers, fisherman, car campers, etc. Hang around the 2WD parking lot (especially on weekends) and your chances of getting a ride are good.

Maps:
San Isabel National Forest Map
Crestone Peak USGS 7.5 minute Quadrangle (USGS)

SOUTH COLONY ROAD UPDATE: MARCH 28, 2006

The Forest Service has initiated a scoping process as a preliminary action for doing an environmental assessment for management changes in the South Colony Lakes Basin in the Sangre de Cristo range of southern Colorado.

The FS is proposing the following, and requesting public input.

1) close the South Colony jeep road to vehicle travel (except for emergency and administrative uses) approximately 2.5 miles below the current terminus of this road.
2) construct a parking area, toilet(s), and camping facilities near the proposed road closure point.
3) prohibit campfires within 1 mile of Lower and Upper South Colony Lakes.
4) restrict camping within 1 mile of Lower and Upper South Colony Lakes to "designated campsites" only.

The road closure point will be about 1/2 mile west of the junction with the Rainbow Trail and immediately before the first stream crossing. A parking lot, toilets, information kiosk, footbridge, and camping facilities would be constructed near the closure point, with hardened camping sites on both sides of the stream. Regarding the campfire ban, this is reflective of the overuse of firewood gathering near the lower lake. Most lower dead branches on live trees have been broken off, and campers are breaking off old bristlecone and subalpine fir branches from live trees. The lower parts of the Basin have more abundant firewood resources.

Backcountry use in the upper Basin is exceeding FS standards for "crowding" on every summer weekend and many weekdays. Restricting camping in the upper Basin to designated campsites will protect the resource, allow the most environmentally stable sites to be hardened and managed for sustained camping use, and will allow 50+less desirable sites tob e reclaimed and revegetated. The road continues to deteriorate with subsequent damage to vehicles attempting to drive the road. Also, re-routing of the road is not an option. From the 2-wheel drive parking lot at the very bottom, the existing road crosses 1.5 miles of private land before entering the national forest, open to the public under an apparent county easement. The landowners do not want public camping or parking on their property.

Further, there is a need to protect the $500,000 cash, and 40,000 volunteer hours, investment in trail restoration and hardened climbing routes in the upper Basin. The rebuilt routes are handling the current use level, but likely will deteriorate if recreation use continues to increase at the present rate. The Rocky Mountain Field Institute of Colorado springs (formerly the American Mountain Foundation) is partnering with the University of Colorado in a study to determine the appropriate recreation use level in the Basin thatis most compatible with protection of the resource and maintaining an acceptable social experience (meaning you didn't have a Grays/Torreys "mob" experience).

There is some discussion of a fee system for the area. However, that would be a separate environmental assessment. The FS is not asking for comments on fees at this time.

Downside of the proposed changes, per the FS, is that removing easy vehicle access may not solve the problems of too many persons in the upper Basin (note that only about 15% of users are motorized recreationists, with the remainder being primarily 14er climbers). Making east side access more difficult may cause more use from the west side, where the trails are mostly primitive in nature and there are private land concerns.

CMC Conservation expects to endorse the four basic FS proposals as they are an attempt to preserve the resource while still allowing for good access by the climbing community. However, we also would like to solicit comments from CMC leaders and other activists. We may ask for individual comments when a proposed environmental assessment is released by the FS later this year. Please send any thoughts you may have to me, as I will be writing the CMC comments, as requested by Vera Smith, our Conservation Director, since I do most of the Club's access work.

Thanks very much.

Steve Bonowski, Sr. Policy Advisor
CMC Conservation Department

AS OF JUNE 27, 2007, THE ROAD IS STILL OPEN TO THE UPPER 4-WHEEL DRIVE TRAILHEAD. THE FOREST SERVICE IN WESTCLIFFE REPORTS THAT THERE IS NOT A DEFINITE DATE FOR CLOSING THE ROAD, BUT THAT PLANS ARE IN THE WORKS. THE ROAD SHOULD BE OPEN ALL SUMMER OF 2007.

Red Tape

Humboldt Peak is located in the San Isabel National Forest inside the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness Area. No permits or fees are required. Although the entire range, the mountain, and South Colony Lakes are in the wilderness area, the 4WD forest service road (FR120) is not. The Forest Service has created a three mile narrow non-wilderness corridor which takes you within two miles of South Colony Lakes. No camping within 300 feet of the lakes or streams. Rangers make daily drives up to South Colony Lakes and camp in the area looking for violators.

San Isabel National Forest, San Carlos Ranger District, 3170 E. Main, Canon City, CO 81212. Phone: (719) 269-8500, Fax: (719) 269-8719. Westcliffe has a small one-man ranger station: (719) 783-2079. As of June 2007, the local ranger was Jeff Outhier.

When To Climb

Humboldt Peak from the north. Photo by LarryV

As with most Colorado high peaks, late June through mid September are best for summer season climbs. Heavy snow can linger well into June and the first snow falls in September. The mountain has also been climbed in the dead of winter by experienced winter mountaineers. September can be a wonderful time to climb. The weather settles as fall high pressure systems move through and provide several continuous days of cool, clear skies. Violent afternoon thunderstorms are a daily occurance. Start very early. Storms typically hit early afternoon and can last until after dark.

The 11 mile South Colony Lake road is used as a snowmobile route in the winter. In May the road is free of snow up to about 9,500 ft. Keep in mind these are the Sangres and these mountains typically lose snowpack faster than other ranges in Colorado due to it's dry climate.

Humboldt Peak Weather

Camping & lodging.

Camping is allowed throughout the South Colony Lakes area. No camping or horse stock within 300 feet of the lakes. In addition, there are several unofficial Forest Service camping sites along the 4WD road. These sites are typically used by car campers, fishermen, etc. Camping is not allowed in the 1.5 miles between the 2WD parking lot and the Forest Service boundry.

There are several Forest Service campgrounds nearby. The closest is Alvarado, located on CO140, 5 miles west of highway 69, and one mile north of the Colfax Lane turnoff. Alvarado has 47 sites and can accomodate up to a 35 foot RV (no hookups). Alvarado is at 9000 ft which is a good place to spend the night and acclimate. Alvarado campground host: (719) 489-2744. There are other Forest Service campgrounds in the area. None have showers but most have rest rooms and drinking water. Call the Forest Service at (719) 269-8500 or (719) 783-2079 for more information on other FS campgrounds nearby. Here is an excellent link for Colorado Camping Reservations. An additional reservation fee of $8.65 is charged for this service.

Grape Creek RV Park: 2 miles south of Westcliffe. (719) 783-2588.

Eberling Mobile Home and RV Park: In Silvercliff on the east side of Westcliffe. (719) 783-9778. Coin operated showers and laundromat.

Lodging for Westcliffe, Colorado click here

Humboldt Peak as seen from the summit of Broken Hand Peak. Photo by Ryan Schilling

Other Information

There are two other 14ers accessible from the South Colony Lakes area: Crestone Needle 14,197, and Crestone Peak 14,294.

Westcliffe has a grocery store on the west end of town.
Pay showers and a laundromat are available at the Eberling Mobile Home and RV park in Silvercliff on the east side of Westcliffe.

More information on the area: Westcliffe Chamber of Commerce: Toll Free 1-877-793-3170.

In Tribute To David Worthington, aka "TalusMonkey"

This page is dedicated to David Worthington, also known by many as "TalusMonkey." David was a very experienced climber who was tragically killed on Humboldt Peak on May 7, 2007. In brief, David lost control of a glissade while descending the south face of Humboldt Peak in winter conditions. Search and rescue efforts were valiant; however, David succumbed to his injuries by the time he reached the hospital. See this link for a pictorial of the rescue attempt: www.hikingtherockies.com

David completed Colorado's 58 named 14ers in 54 weeks (Aug 2005-Aug 2006) which is an incredible accomplishment. He was an avid participant of www.14ers.com where he had climbed with many of the site's members. 14ers.com has set up a memorial website for him: http://www.14ers.com/talusmonkey.html

David was best known for his experience in the mountains, his love of the outdoors, and his summit antics which usually included dancing and a can of Colt 45. The mountains will not be the same without him and he will be greatly missed.

David Worthington aka "TalusMonkey"
June 14, 1968 - May 7, 2007

External Links

Crestone Needle & Humboldt Peak
Humboldt Peak (09/20/2004)
14ers.com - The Home of Colorado's Highest Peaks
Fourteener Photos, Route Descriptions, Forum, and more...

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