myrone - Sep 20, 2008 8:36 am Date Climbed: Sep 19, 2008
Red Gully via Upper S. Colony TH
Started up at 6:37AM-a beautiful morning. Route is well defined all the way; reached summit at 11:27. Lots of high clouds but the views were spectacular. Started back down at 11:39 as clouds were closing in fast. Back to the TH at 3:36PM with the last 1/2 mile featuring a heavy thunder/lightning, snow storm. My 42nd 14'er...sweet!!
Gahugafuga - Aug 14, 2008 1:43 pm Date Climbed: Aug 12, 2008
Red Gully
The scramble through the cliffs on Broken Hand Pass was harder than any of the scrambling on the Peak itself. I also summitted East Crestone - I think the East summit has better views than the main summit.
MountainHikerCO - Feb 12, 2008 9:01 pm Date Climbed: Sep 2, 2007
Red Gully
This was my third climb of Crestone Peak. We went over Broken Hand Pass and climbed the Red Gully.
Previous climb 8-5-00 South Colony - Bears - up NW Couloir route - down Red Gully - to Broken Hand - up standard Needle route.
MountainHikerCO - Feb 12, 2008 8:56 pm Date Climbed: Aug 18, 1991
NW Couloir
This was my first climb of Crestone Peak. I went the NW Couloir route via Bears Playground. I saw lightning strike the Needle as we came back across the ridge to the Humbolt saddle to return to South Colony Lakes.
tomlauren - Feb 3, 2008 7:38 am Date Climbed: Aug 31, 2007
Crestone Traverse
From camp at Cottonwood Creek, climbed the South Face of Crestone Peak, performed the traverse to Crestone Needle, then descended the Needle's South Face back to camp. The previous night I endured a torrential rainstorm with lightning striking the surrounding peaks. The hike up to the base of Crestone Peak from my camp near Cottonwood Creek was arduous. There was no trail, and hiking through the willows (which were wet from the previous night's rainstorm) left me soaked to the skin from the waist down.
ClimbandMine - Jan 14, 2008 6:06 pm Date Climbed: Sep 15, 2007
I started before first light so I could complete the traverse to the Needle and be off the mountain by early afternoon. Fortunately I was successful and back in camp before noon, because wicked thunderstorms rolled in and unleased rain and electricity from 12 to 2. I know of at least one climbing party that would've been in the thick of things if they'd stuck to their original schedule. I thought of them all afternoon, but still don't know if they turned around or pressed through the storm.
Haliku - Oct 28, 2007 10:34 pm Date Climbed: Oct 27, 2007
South Face
What a long day! Camped at Colony Lakes and went via Broken Hand pass. Beautiful views! The Needle will have to wait for a return visit.
spannring29 - Oct 21, 2007 12:21 pm Date Climbed: Jul 14, 2007
Great
After some route finding difficulties in the early morning darkness, we headed up the red couloir. Still plenty of snow. Planned on the traverse to the Needle, but decided it just wasn't our day. Very fun mountain.
chicagotransplant - Sep 17, 2007 10:12 am Date Climbed: Sep 16, 2007
Peak to Needle
Second time up the Peak, but this time we did the traverse to the Needle. Also tagged "East Crestone" to get the Custer County highpoint.
Standard route from S. Colony Lakes (mid) TH. A mostly cloudy day, but got some sun around noon. Also climbed E. Crestone. 14er #33. A long day, but a great peak.
Natasha - Sep 10, 2007 11:56 am Date Climbed: Sep 8, 2007
Red Gully
Absolutely, incredible...I am still in awe of that peak.
Was going to attempt the NW couloir, but got a late start and wanted more time for route finding so, we decided on the standard route instead.
Loved the climbing in the Red Gully, had perfect weather, and met many interesting people en route, Reascending Broken Hand Pass wasn't as bad as I was expecting. CL Road sucked, but...we all know that. ;)
matt81 - Aug 26, 2007 5:51 pm Date Climbed: Aug 19, 2007
Red Gully
Went up the south gully came down the northwest couloir.
Scott Rogers - Jul 11, 2007 10:11 pm Date Climbed: Jun 16, 2006
Nice Climb
Went up the Red after climbing the needle, then down the northwest couloir.
bernardhohman - Jun 26, 2007 10:39 am Date Climbed: Jun 25, 2007
Outstanding South Face
Old Ickabod and I enjoyed a perfect weather day for this summit and the Needle.
Outdoorpartner - Oct 5, 2006 5:34 am Date Climbed: Aug 13, 2006
Tough scramble
I totally underestimated this climb! It took me 10 hours, and had some tough downclimbing -- trying NOT to loosen rockfall for those below.
mmitten - Aug 20, 2006 2:25 am Date Climbed: Aug 19, 2006
Cottonwood / Spanish Creek access restriction!!
The Cottonwood Creek trailhead and the Spanish Creek trailhead both have no trespassing signs up that read "No Public Access to National Forest Land," and "Property of the Crestone Zen Monastery." See trip report.
got a ride to sc lakes, that saved me! woke up at sunrise ascended to nw couloir lots of snow still in august! stay left of snow. awesome views of the valley and sand dunes at summit. attempted needle same day but ran out of water
Climbed this after a Humbolt Karson combo the day before, the climbed the neeedle, descended to Cottonwood side, a short repel and climbed South'west Gullythen down the NW Couloir. Almost slipped on the way down the ledge in the couloir.
bmcnary1 - Nov 24, 2008 8:34 pm
Super DuperGood break from work
myrone - Sep 20, 2008 8:36 am Date Climbed: Sep 19, 2008
Red Gully via Upper S. Colony THStarted up at 6:37AM-a beautiful morning. Route is well defined all the way; reached summit at 11:27. Lots of high clouds but the views were spectacular. Started back down at 11:39 as clouds were closing in fast. Back to the TH at 3:36PM with the last 1/2 mile featuring a heavy thunder/lightning, snow storm. My 42nd 14'er...sweet!!
Gahugafuga - Aug 14, 2008 1:43 pm Date Climbed: Aug 12, 2008
Red GullyThe scramble through the cliffs on Broken Hand Pass was harder than any of the scrambling on the Peak itself. I also summitted East Crestone - I think the East summit has better views than the main summit.
MountainHikerCO - Feb 12, 2008 9:01 pm Date Climbed: Sep 2, 2007
Red GullyThis was my third climb of Crestone Peak. We went over Broken Hand Pass and climbed the Red Gully.
Previous climb 8-5-00 South Colony - Bears - up NW Couloir route - down Red Gully - to Broken Hand - up standard Needle route.
MountainHikerCO - Feb 12, 2008 8:56 pm Date Climbed: Aug 18, 1991
NW CouloirThis was my first climb of Crestone Peak. I went the NW Couloir route via Bears Playground. I saw lightning strike the Needle as we came back across the ridge to the Humbolt saddle to return to South Colony Lakes.
tomlauren - Feb 3, 2008 7:38 am Date Climbed: Aug 31, 2007
Crestone TraverseFrom camp at Cottonwood Creek, climbed the South Face of Crestone Peak, performed the traverse to Crestone Needle, then descended the Needle's South Face back to camp. The previous night I endured a torrential rainstorm with lightning striking the surrounding peaks. The hike up to the base of Crestone Peak from my camp near Cottonwood Creek was arduous. There was no trail, and hiking through the willows (which were wet from the previous night's rainstorm) left me soaked to the skin from the waist down.
ClimbandMine - Jan 14, 2008 6:06 pm Date Climbed: Sep 15, 2007
TraverseDid the Red Clr to the Peak-Needle Traverse
MattGreene - Dec 1, 2007 9:14 pm
TraverseI started before first light so I could complete the traverse to the Needle and be off the mountain by early afternoon. Fortunately I was successful and back in camp before noon, because wicked thunderstorms rolled in and unleased rain and electricity from 12 to 2. I know of at least one climbing party that would've been in the thick of things if they'd stuck to their original schedule. I thought of them all afternoon, but still don't know if they turned around or pressed through the storm.
Haliku - Oct 28, 2007 10:34 pm Date Climbed: Oct 27, 2007
South FaceWhat a long day! Camped at Colony Lakes and went via Broken Hand pass. Beautiful views! The Needle will have to wait for a return visit.
spannring29 - Oct 21, 2007 12:21 pm Date Climbed: Jul 14, 2007
GreatAfter some route finding difficulties in the early morning darkness, we headed up the red couloir. Still plenty of snow. Planned on the traverse to the Needle, but decided it just wasn't our day. Very fun mountain.
chicagotransplant - Sep 17, 2007 10:12 am Date Climbed: Sep 16, 2007
Peak to NeedleSecond time up the Peak, but this time we did the traverse to the Needle. Also tagged "East Crestone" to get the Custer County highpoint.
cftbq - Sep 10, 2007 2:34 pm Date Climbed: Sep 9, 2007
Red CouloirStandard route from S. Colony Lakes (mid) TH. A mostly cloudy day, but got some sun around noon. Also climbed E. Crestone. 14er #33. A long day, but a great peak.
Natasha - Sep 10, 2007 11:56 am Date Climbed: Sep 8, 2007
Red GullyAbsolutely, incredible...I am still in awe of that peak.
Was going to attempt the NW couloir, but got a late start and wanted more time for route finding so, we decided on the standard route instead.
Loved the climbing in the Red Gully, had perfect weather, and met many interesting people en route, Reascending Broken Hand Pass wasn't as bad as I was expecting. CL Road sucked, but...we all know that. ;)
matt81 - Aug 26, 2007 5:51 pm Date Climbed: Aug 19, 2007
Red GullyWent up the south gully came down the northwest couloir.
Scott Rogers - Jul 11, 2007 10:11 pm Date Climbed: Jun 16, 2006
Nice ClimbWent up the Red after climbing the needle, then down the northwest couloir.
bernardhohman - Jun 26, 2007 10:39 am Date Climbed: Jun 25, 2007
Outstanding South FaceOld Ickabod and I enjoyed a perfect weather day for this summit and the Needle.
Outdoorpartner - Oct 5, 2006 5:34 am Date Climbed: Aug 13, 2006
Tough scrambleI totally underestimated this climb! It took me 10 hours, and had some tough downclimbing -- trying NOT to loosen rockfall for those below.
mmitten - Aug 20, 2006 2:25 am Date Climbed: Aug 19, 2006
Cottonwood / Spanish Creek access restriction!!The Cottonwood Creek trailhead and the Spanish Creek trailhead both have no trespassing signs up that read "No Public Access to National Forest Land," and "Property of the Crestone Zen Monastery." See trip report.
rasgoat - Aug 6, 2006 10:06 pm
great mountain!got a ride to sc lakes, that saved me! woke up at sunrise ascended to nw couloir lots of snow still in august! stay left of snow. awesome views of the valley and sand dunes at summit. attempted needle same day but ran out of water
seth@LOKI - Jul 26, 2006 6:47 pm Date Climbed: Jul 16, 1994
wicked fun!Climbed this after a Humbolt Karson combo the day before, the climbed the neeedle, descended to Cottonwood side, a short repel and climbed South'west Gullythen down the NW Couloir. Almost slipped on the way down the ledge in the couloir.