Kit Carson Peak

Route: Via Challenger Point
Posted On: 8/5/2016, By: cloudkicker
Info: Hearing all the horror stories about the mosquitoes, and remembering how eaten alive I was at Holy Cross Creek a few years ago, my brothers and I decided to use every safeguard possible to prepare for our time on the approach & camping at Willow Lake. Using these precautions, the mosquitoes didn't give us any issues at all. 1. We treated our clothes and our tents with Permethrin. 2. Mosquito head nets. 3. Mosquito bracelets. 4. A couple sprays of DEET on the exposed skin, but our applications of the DEET were in moderation and never copious. 5. I also wore anti-bug convertible pants I found at Sierra Trading Post. Our time at Willow Lake was really very pleasant just because we did all these things to avoid being feasted on. Maybe the swarms are starting to relent? Hard telling. We brought a bear canister up and saw an elaborate sling set up in a neighboring campsite. While we were going to sleep we heard an animal pushing around something outside our tent nearby the can for about 5-10 minutes. Turns out it wasn't a bear going for the can, but actually a smaller animal playing with my rock climbing helmet. That said, you should definitely store your food securely using a can or sling. This is the Sangres after all. We hit the trail from our campsite below Willow Lake at 3am on 8/2 and reached the summit ridge of Challenger at sunrise. The loose/slippery/steepness of the north slope is as bad as everyone says, and I endured multiple stumbles and close calls going up and down. Take advantage of every good stable rock you find on the slope. We opted for some class 3 moves on good rock on occasion whenever the "trail" got too sketchy. A lot of crab walk moves on the descent (5 points of contact). Leave your heavy pack at Willow Lake and take something lighter for the climb. Being able to maintain your balance is paramount, especially on the descent. Trekking poles were super helpful most of the time we were on the slope and I highly recommend you bring some along. Also... don't forget the climbing helmet! The traverse to and from Kit Carson was as good as it can be in the summer. No snow, no ice, all dry. 

Route: Via Challenger Point
Posted On: 7/31/2016, By: graberz
Info: As previously mentioned mosquitos are insane all the way up to the lake and even above. Large crowd this weekend camping at the lake. Slopes up to Challenger are as bad as mentioned. Route finding somewhat difficult at times and plenty of rocks coming down from other hikers to keep you on your toes. This was the most time consuming section both up and down for most of our group. Started at 5 15 am finished around 1pm. There was also a SAR call/response up from the lake, I believe severe altitude sickness. Not sure on the outcome although the person was air lifted out. Thanks to SAR. 

Route: East Ridge
Posted On: 8/1/2016, By: Matt H
Info: We hiked Kit Carson and Challenger from South Colony Lakes. Conditions were entirely snow free. Mosquitoes at South Colony Lakes were abundant, but manageable with insect repellent. I'd like to point out several things about this route, hopefully to help other hikers in the future. After reaching Bear's Playground, the route description says "Avoid the temptation to hike directly up the rocks by hiking north for a few hundred feet before angling northwest toward the ridge. Once on the ridge crest, turn left and continue to Obstruction's summit." We did this on the way to Kit Carson, but decided to skirt around the south side of Obstruction on the way back. There were many cairns marking our route around the south side and this proved to be much easier than gaining the summit of Obstruction only to drop back down. Any ideas why the description would discourage the easier route here? I definitely recommend crossing from Gully #2 into Gully #3 when descending Columbia, if you are comfortable with the climbing. You lose less elevation and there is a well-marked route to the ascent of Kit Carson. The rock on the ascent to Kit Carson is steep and loose. A helmet seems necessary to me for this entire route, including the final ascent (which is also part of the standard route from Challenger). Finally, don't underestimate the challenge. The climbing is more technical and more exposed than other Class 3 routes I have done. Also, the amount of elevation loss and re-gain along the ridge makes for a strenuous day. You will reach three other summits above 13000ft before hitting Kit Carson. Start early and bring plenty of water. Overall, this is a fun route and we had a challenging yet very enjoyable day! 

Route: Via Challenger Point
Posted On: 7/17/2016, By: trinkner
Info: The climb from Challenger to Kit Carson was uneventful. No need for winter traction whatsoever. A nice remnant of winter is that there is a snow patch immediately below the exit from the Avenue, so on your descent, just make sure you turn on to the Avenue a few feet above the snow patch. It's a great visual marker while it lasts. Mosquitoes from the TH to above Willow Lake remain mortally epic. I only got a few bites by first covering the skin of my arms, legs, chest, and face with repellent, and then spraying my clothes. I wore a long-sleeved shirt over my t-shirt, long climbing pants, a hat with a "Sahara" neck flap, and mountain-biking gloves. For the pre-dawn hike in, I'd recommend a thin rain shell, too, as I got some bites on my shoulders, despite the clothing and repellent. On the descent, I forgot to put on the gloves and got several bites on my hands. These bugs are merciless. As for the trail, the descent from Challenger was one of the least enjoyable of my career. The gully is steep, filled with loose scree and unstable rocks. There are almost no switchbacks. A few hours before my descent, I climber told me of a rock slide in the gully earlier in the day that narrowly missed other climbers. There were lots fresh white "chalk" marks all along the gully that I image were created by the falling rocks. The descent seemed far less stable than the ascent, with many large rocks highly unstable and football-sized rocks highly unstable. I talked with a trail worker for a group affiliated with the 14ers Initiative. They're currently building an alternative trail up Challenger that will feature lots of switchbacks. If you're selecting peaks for your season, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND WAITING A FEW YEARS FOR THEM TO COMPLETE THIS NEW TRAIL. She said they would likely finish in two years or so. Of course, if you're trying to finish the list soon, just be prepared for a time-consuming and dispiriting descent. But some good news! In tiny Crestone, the Crestone Brewing Company has opened. Great burgers and beer for the evening before your climb. 

Route: Via Challenger Point
Posted On: 7/13/2016, By: CraigB2013
Info: Yesterday, July 12th, we summit Challenger Point and Kit Carson Peak. DANGER DANGER DANGER! Mosquitos are really bad, unless the wind blows, on the Willow Lake approach and at the lake. It really ruins what is a great trail and beautiful place. Kit Carson avenue had some snow which is all avoidable. No tracton needed. I think we make have only taken a couple of steps on the snow. But the snow was solid as ice. The rest of the route is dry. Finding the avenue, on the way down, was tricky because the easiest gully is furthest away and easy to down climb to far. We paid the price and had to add an extra 100 ft of class thee climbing to the day. 

Route: Via Challenger Point
Posted On: 7/11/2016, By: BCNPatrick
Info: Avenue entrance snow easily crossed. No axe, or spikes needed, but use them if you're more comfortable. Two other snow areas avoidable. Mosquitos from the TH to Willow lake are at an epic level...WORST I've ever seen!!! Recommend heavy duty repellant...not that it did much to help. on second thought, bring body armor. 

Route: Via Challenger Point
Posted On: 7/9/2016, By: TallGrass
Info: Start of the Avenue from Challenger has snow (photo 1), some crossing low, I crossed high against the wall (photo 2). Clear to the Prow. Two patches of snow lower on the Avenue (photos 3 and 4) where the foot prints are right by the edge and the snow is soft with ice bottom. One more patch at the turn to go up Kit's summit gulley which can be postholed against the rock face. RECOMMEND taking spikes and an axe, and 20' of cord to pull them back if you want to share one kit for your group. It's getting a lot of sun so might melt out, but could also be slushy and slick. 

Route: Via Challenger Point
Posted On: 7/8/2016, By: blazey84
Info: Avenue is mostly clear. You have to cross one small mostly level, seemingly stable snowfield to access the avenue (picture 1). Past the Prow there are two small snowfields you have to cross. At around 11am I was post-holing. Other hikers said it was firm earlier in the day. They seem really rotten, are about 10ft across, and have high exposure. From the trail head to Willow lake the mosquitoes are difficult to do justice. Bring DEET and move fast. 

Route: Via Challenger Point
Posted On: 7/5/2016, By: kkarutis
Info: Hiked from the willow trailhead on 7/3, starting at 3:45 a.m. Made it to the lake and headed up Challenger in about two hours. The trail was wet but clear, bugs weren't quite out yet. Got off trail on Challenger due to massive amounts of random herd paths and some snow that obscured the trail. Ended up doing a longish traverse across the summit ridge, which was more annoying than anything else - conditions were fine, nothing harder than class 2. Avoidance of all snow is possible. The trail from Challenger to Kit Carson was 99 percent clear save for two spots of lingering, rotten snow on the Avenues. It was a bit unnerving to kick step into such rotten snow but made it across safely in trail runners, no need for even microspikes. The final ascent up Kit was clear and easy. Made it to the summit at 10 a.m. Descended and went back across Challenger's summit, then down the messy and unclear herd paths back to the lake/waterfall. Bugs were out in FULL force - absolutely brutal, vicious swarms of them. They all but ignored the industrial strength bug spray we doused ourselves with. Back to the car by 3:40 p.m. - 12 hours total time, including short stops on each summit. 

Route: Via Challenger Point
Posted On: 6/28/2016, By: jsykes
Info: Made it up Challenger Point yesterday (be warned: the trail gets really muddy and slippery after Willow Lake), but not to the summit of Kit Carson. The Avenue still had snow and ice on it (see picture). If the snow were softer and more packy in this spot I could have made it, but it was frozen solid around 10 a.m. yesterday morning and the drop-off is 800-1,000 feet. Side notes about this hike: * The Rocky Mountain Field Institute is working on building a new trail from Willow Lake to the summit of Challenger Point because the current one is steep and falling apart. I'll come back in a couple years once the new trail is built. * The mosquitos below treeline were terrible. Bring lots of bug spray! 

Route: Via Challenger Point
Posted On: 5/27/2016, By: lodgling
Info: Folks inevitably start asking about Kit Carson avenue around this time of year. Here's a photo from Wednesday, 5/25. 

Route: Spanish Creek - Cole's Couloir
Posted On: 5/25/2016, By: youngk2844
Info: Get permission from the Crestone Mountain Zen Center before hiking this route. Trail dry through blow-down area up to 11,200'. After that snowshoes required. With a good freeze you may get by without. A couple signs of small wet slides on the South Slopes. Cole's Couloir looked to be in good shape. 

Route: Outward Bound Couloir
Posted On: 5/15/2016, By: lodgling
Info: Summit ski is in for a bit longer. 

Route: Via Challenger Point
Posted On: 1/26/2016, By: thatnissanguy
Info: The standard route is out of condition. Read my report on Challenger for details. 

Route: Via Challenger Point
Posted On: 10/18/2015, By: awpalmer27
Info: Climbed Kit Carson on a warm October Saturday. Started at Willow Creek trailhead at 4:00 am. Summited Kit Carson by 11:30 am. Made it back to the car by 5:00 pm. Route tip: You can save some time and energy on the descent by avoiding summited Challenger again. From the Challenger- Kit Carson saddle, traverse across the east face of Challenger. From afar the east slope looks like it might be horrible scree fest. In reality, the rocks are pretty large and don‘t budge when you rock hop across them. This short cut saves you ~400 ft elevation gain and maybe 20 min.