Crestone Needle

Overview

Crestone Needle and the upper South Colony Lake from Broken Hand Peak. August 21, 2004. Photo by Ryan Schilling

Located in the Rockies of southern Colorado, Crestone Needle is in the heart of the Sangre de Cristo (Blood of Christ) range. It ranks 20th in the state and is one of Colorado's 54 fourteen-thousand foot mountains. The Needle was first climbed by Albert Ellingwood and Eleanor Davis on July 24, 1916 via the Crestone Peak/Needle Traverse. Many a Colorado climber considers Crestone Needle to have a special place in his/her heart.  This is an aesthetic and pleasingly challenging mountain that makes a climber's heart sing.

With the easiest route being Class 3, the mountain is considered one of the hardest 14ers to climb. The easiest route is the South Face, class 3, grade II, which is very popular, but can be challenging for the novice peakbagger. The Ellingwood Ledges/Arete route 5.7, grade III, is also popular due to the 1979 book Fifty Classic Climbs of North America by Steve Roper and Allen Steck. Regardless of the route, this mountain demands respect. Otherwise, this is a spectacular mountain and highly recommended for those seeking a challenge and real climbing adventure!

The Sangre de Cristo mountain range is a spectacular collection of peaks which stretches 250 miles from Santa Fe, New Mexico to Salida, Colorado. Please note the left side bar which features all the mountains in the Sangre de Cristos, both in Colorado and New Mexico.

Getting There

Photo and annotations by Alan Ellis

Crestone Needle 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. There is another trailhead on the west side of the range called Cottonwood Creek located on private property. Cottonwood Creek Trail is poorly maintained below the timberline -- it's very narrow with lots of downed trees. (Bob Webster 8-17-03) See Red Tape section for more Cottonwood Creek instructions.

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. Low-clearance vehicles can park here but recent improvements in the road (July 2006) allow 2WD vehicles to continue for another 2.6 miles to a new gate and parking lot (30 vehicles) located approximately a half-mile past the Rainbow Trail marker at approximately 9900 ft. The road is closed at the gate and the parking lot. From the gate west of the Rainbow Trail, it is a 4.5 mile hike to South Colony basin. From the new gate, follow the old road for another 3.5 miles until the road turns into a trail. Upon arrival at lower South Colony lake, the trail forks and a small wooden sign (photo) will greet you. The sign says, "Crestone Needle Standard Route," with an arrow pointing to the left. Take the left fork to begin the approach to Broken Hand Pass. Take the right fork if looking for a campsite or if heading for the upper lake to do the Ellingwood Arete.

See the left side-bar for a list of summit routes which begin at lower South Colony Lake.

An option from the western side of the range is the Cottonwood Creek Trailhead near Crestone, Colorado.  To find the trailhead, leave Colorado state highway 17, 0.5 miles south of Moffat and head straight east (Road T) toward the town of Crestone. Just prior to the road turning north (left) into Crestone, turn south (right) into the Baca Grande Chalets Grants subdivision (there is a large sign) and follow the Camino Baca Grande road as it initially curves left (paved then dirt) through the subdivision for about 5.4 miles. When the road ends at a “T” intersection, turn left, pass a large water tank (in 0.1 miles) on the right, before the road passes through an indistinct meadow (0.2 miles) with the unsigned trailhead on the left. Park in the few spaces on the right side of the road in this meadow and find the trailhead going into the trees and uphill initially on the north side of the meadow (left side of the road) prior to the trail heading up the valley along the north side of Cottonwood Creek. This trail is not in the best of shape and downed trees should be expected. The road crosses Cottonwood Creek shortly after passing through the meadow. If you cross the Creek, you have passed the trailhead. There is a Forest Service sign that addresses trail monitoring equipment just before the road crosses the Creek. The trail is not located anywhere near that sign. Do not pass over Cottonwood Creek and only park in the meadow since all the land along the road is private property. The landowner allows PARKING IN THE MEADOW ONLY. There is NO CAMPING at the trailhead parking area. (Directions courtesy of Dan Bereck)

Red Tape

Photo ©2005 by Jack Brauer

Weather & Seasons | When To Climb

Crestone Needle in January 2009. Photo by shknbke

Northern Sangre de Cristo Mountains above 11000 Ft

Mountain Conditions

Photo by Mountain Jim

Camping

Good camping can be found near South Colony Lakes. Photo by Sisyphus

Local Stuff

Maps

External Links

Photo ©2005 by Jack Brauer

• Alan Ellis' 2009 Climb of Ellingwood Arete
  Trip report, photos, and video of a climb of Ellingwood Arete in July 2009.
• Alan Ellis' 2001 Climb of Ellingwood Arete
  Trip report and photos of a climb of Ellingwood Arete in July 2001.
• Custer County (Westcliffe) website
  Lists restaurants, lodging, shopping, activities, and events in the Custer County and Westcliffe area.
• Customized Topographic Maps
  National Geographic customized topos. Great maps which are waterproof and shaded relief.
• Colorado Avalanche Information Center
• Weather: Zone Forcast for Crestone Area
  Zone: Del Norte Vicinity
• Sun/Moon Rise and Set Table
  Cool site to figure sun/moon rise and set for any date or location in the U.S.
• Customized Topos and more.
  Customized topographic maps which are waterproof and shaded relief. Site also has guidebooks and other stuff.
• Crestone Linkup
  Great trip report of a one day ascent of Crestone Needle, Crestone Peak, Challenger Point, and Kit Carson.
• Crestone Needle & Humboldt Peak
• Team Arp Climbs Ellingwood Ledges
• Crestone Needle - Pk. to Ndl. Traverse + (09/17/2005)
• 14ers.com - The Home of Colorado's Highest Peaks
  Fourteener Photos, Route Descriptions, Forum, and more...

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